AN initiative to help refugees and migrants settle into life in Yorkshire has been set up by a Bradford-based charity - as it was revealed another 50 refugees from Syria have been welcomed to the city.

QED Foundation has set up the Refugees and Migrants Integration Forum to give extra help with finding jobs, further training or setting up businesses. The group will also look for ways of meeting new arrivals' education, housing, healthcare and social care needs.

Meanwhile, Bradford Council leader Councillor David Green said about 50 Syrian refugees had arrived in the city since 106 people were welcomed in September.

"We have taken some more since the government announcement," said Cllr Green. "A further 50.

"We are doing what we have done in the past and not doing it in the full glare of publicity, so they can settle in and find their feet."

When asked if Bradford would take more refugees, Cllr Green said: "We will do. We have got the partnerships in place that deliver that sort of project.

"As and when the current ones settle, we will check to see if we have the resources to take any more."

QED supports 1,000 recent arrivals to the UK every year.

The Foundation's chief executive Dr Mohammed Ali said: "Most refugees and recent migrants arriving in Yorkshire are determined to work hard and make a positive contribution to life in Britain.

"Many are also highly qualified and originally came to us for help with improving their English language skills. But they have also told us how difficult it is to know where to start looking for work or training courses, let alone finding medical care and somewhere to live, and they regularly ask us for advice.

"We have set up the forum so that they can come together to discuss their concerns and share information. We will also be inviting guest speakers such as council officials, social workers, police, teachers and healthcare professionals to attend and this will help them to find out how their services can best meet the needs of refugees and new migrants."

The first forum meeting took place last Wednesday and attracted 20 participants from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Bhutan, Eritrea, Sudan and Kuwait.

Members came from a wide range of professional backgrounds and had experience of vehicle maintenance, textiles, building, medical secretarial work and self-employment.