A GROUP of volunteers calling on the council to host refugees in the borough has set up a ‘Wall of Welcome’ to raise awareness about their project.

Waltham Forest Refugees Welcome has unveiled the creation at St Barnabas Church in Walthamstow as part of this year’s annual E17 Art Trail.

The group was originally set up to support asylum seekers settled in the Waltham Forest but quickly became a lobbying group after the families failed to arrive.

Leah Parker, 22, a member of the group, said: “I was really keen to get involved because it is something that I am really passionate about.

“The aim is to raise awareness about the refugee crisis and to show how many people believe in this and think it’s important.

“With everything going on at the moment with Brexit and the election we don’t want the refugee crisis to be dropped off the news. It must be talked about.

“There’s a lot of people out there who feel there’s nothing they can do but if you start with little projects like helping just 10 families it’s not too big.”

In October 2015 Waltham Forest Council announced it would house 10 families fleeing the Syrian war, despite having the second highest rate of homelessness in London.

Last November 15 unaccompanied children who had been living in the ‘jungle’ in Calais were placed with foster families in the borough.

The wall features jigsaw pieces bearing messages from visitors, who in turn are given house-shaped keyrings to remind people about the project.

“The aim of the craft is making people realise there’s a powerful message behind it and we can do a lot from a grassroots level,” added Ms Parker.

“It’s a simple idea and I hope it will keep it in people’s minds.”

The group have started a petition asking the council to honour its pledge.

To sign the petition click here.