VOLUNTEERS hope to buy a home for those in need after a struggle to find "compassionate" landlords in the wake of the refugee crisis.

Limited liability partnership Safe Haven Wessex was created with the aim of funding a property for families fleeing violence and oppression.

Those who put money into the project will be asked to invest money for a five-year term until the house or flat is sold.

Their investment will then be returned to them, plus or minus any additional profits or losses.

The partnership was founded after a public meeting at the Wimborne Methodist Church around a year ago. More than £155,000 has been pledged already - more than half the total needed to buy a home.

Volunteers behind the initiative said there are often concerns that housing will be taken away from local people, and alternative ideas for properties are needed.

The now-dissolved Wimborne Refugee Trust previously provided homes for refugee families who fled their homes during the Vietnam War.

Pastor Robert Jones said the property funded by Safe Haven Wessex will be managed by the Bournemouth-based International Care Network (ICN).

"ICN is a small charity with an excellent reputation,” he said.

“The families in their care receive English and literacy lessons as well as advice – including legal advice – and emotional and practical support to help them settle.”

Pastor Jones said Christians, Jews and Muslims have gathered together to work on the project, which is an "ethical investment model" and not a charity model.

Irwin Buchanan, CEO of the International Care Network, said he is "delighted" with the scheme.

“It will be wonderful to have a welcoming house where traumatised families will be able to begin to recover until they are ready to move on,” he said.

“We struggle to find compassionate landlords who are willing to rent houses to refugee families.”

Safe Haven Wessex will launch at the Minster church in Wimborne on Thursday, June 15.

A Syrian refugee who works with the International Care Network as an Arabic support helper will cut a celebration cake to mark the occasion.