Empty nesters Sara Nathan, 63, and Malcolm Singer, 66, of Acton, west London, wanted to make the most of their spare room when their two adult children left home.
They started looking for services where they could connect with some of the most vulnerable in society – refugees and asylum seekers.
When they could not find one, the couple, who own a software business, set up their own service, called Refugees at Home.
Fortunately, no money was needed to start the venture – just a list of like-minded people who shared their vision and were willing and able to help.
The people the service now helps range from those who just need a shower and a place to sleep for a couple of nights, to people who need a room for a few months.
Since welcoming their first guest into their home in December 2016, the selfless service has become a bit of a Christmas tradition.
Sara, who chairs tribunals for The Nursing and Midwifery Council and Social Work England, and Malcolm, a musician and music teacher, have now hosted 20 people.
While some are still strangers by the time the festive season comes around, they are still happily welcomed into the family fold.
‘Sometimes we might get a guest who has never celebrated Christmas before,’ Malcolm said.
‘It can be a little overwhelming for them – so we try to make sure they feel as at home as they possibly can.
‘Even though we might not know our guests at all – they’re basically strangers – we always invite them to join in with our family festivities.
‘It’s nice for our guests to be included, but it’s nice for our family too – as they get to meet and spend some time with someone who they might never have met otherwise.’
Sara added: ‘Trying to fill a stocking for someone you’ve literally known for 72 hours isn’t an easy task.
‘I try and keep it simple – I usually include a chocolate orange, a mug, and a pair of gloves.
‘I’ll also put a book and some toiletries in there – and Malcolm always insists we include an Arsenal scarf too!’
Sara and Malcolm appreciate that not all guests celebrate Christmas or they may prefer different festivities like Hannukah, which the couple accommodates.
Friends and neighbours also come around to join in on the festivities.
‘It can be a bit of a shock moving in somewhere completely new – especially if there’s a bit of a language barrier – let alone then meeting all these people you don’t know,’ said Sara.
‘But our friends and family really enjoy having our refugee and asylum seekers there and they have a really good time too.’
This year, they’ve invited past and present house guests to celebrate the occasion together.
Their current guest Moha, from Egypt. who has lived with the Singer-Nathan family since June, is loving it.
Moha, who works part-time at Starbucks and as an Arabic teacher, is incredibly grateful to the couple for their unerring support.
He said: ‘When I first moved in, I didn’t think I could stay for longer than a week.
‘But Sara and Malcolm were so helpful – they made me feel at home basically straight away.
‘Now I see them as friends, and I’m looking forward to spending Christmas with them.’
He continued: ‘One of the most difficult things about the circumstances I’m in is not being around my family and friends.
‘So, spending Christmas with Sara and Malcolm’s family will be a comfort to me, because it’ll remind me of being at home.’
Sara, who loves having adult company in the house again (aside from her husband), added: ‘Moha loves to cook. He’ll be on hand in the kitchen on Christmas Day.
‘He’s already treated us to lots of traditional Egyptian food which has just been delicious.
‘That’s the only bad thing about being a host – it’s not very good for the waistline.’
To find out more about Refugees at Home, visit their website.
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