Community Sponsorship in the UK Refugee perspectives

Methods 17 interviews with refugees Longitudinal (6 weeks and 12 months) Retrospective (c12 months) Questions Reception Expectations Help – needed, received, useful Aspirations, actions and priorities Social connections Integration

Arrival Relocating to the UK was a big decision Not necessarily first choice For the future of their children Fear and anxiety Welcoming committee reassuring Accommodation already homely ‘We felt a big relief when we came to the house and met the other members of the group. They felt like family to me, from then until now’

‘I was very scared at the airport ‘I was very scared at the airport. When we first arrived, I saw the people are all foreigners speaking foreign languages. Were we the only Syrian family on the plane? I asked myself, where was I? What did I put myself into? What is this world I am in now? I don’t know anything. I had many questions. How will I live? How will I raise my children here? But, when I saw them with the signs with our family names, I was slightly relieved’

First impressions Kindness and safety Kin-like relations with some volunteers – deepening relationships “she is like my Mum” Rural/ urban mismatches Some surprised that there were no other Muslims or Arabic speakers ‘I expected that I could find friends, I could go out with my friends, start a new social life and have fun. I expected that I would not stand out as a different person. We know that the UK has a lot of Arabs and Syrians - I expected to at least live near them, not with them but at least near them.’

Cultural differences Everything in the UK is organised or scheduled Different ways of socialising – loss of spontaneity Necessity of speaking English Lack of understanding about cultural norms Gender relations Faith Childrearing Connections between children and family

Social Connections Migration bereavement School and community events good for meeting people Despite volunteer networks high levels of isolation – especially women and those in rural areas Social media – connect across the world but… Heightened anxiety about wellbeing of family left behind – too much time to worry

Integration Accessing employment is difficult for ALL refugees but CS refugees unaware Financial independence priority esp for refugee men Expectation of being able to work almost immediately using manual skills Learning English really difficult especially where literacy low ‘I am always worried about my children, trying to provide for them and speak their language. I do not want to be depressed because I cannot communicate. I want to get a job and be independent’ Sense of hopelessness One to one language lessons more effective than ESOL Volunteering for sense of purpose and progress

Conclusions Majority of refugees have excellent relationships with their groups The support received and warmth of welcome exceeded expectations and smoothed resettlement CS social networks cannot assuage losses and loneliness Some issues around unrealistic expectations Socialising, language learning and financial independence main concerns Gender differences in concerns

Recommendations Keep up the good work around welcome and support Better matching to locations Manage expectations before arrival Identify mechanisms to connect refugees to others “like them” as well as to local people – virtual and face to face Specific measures for women Much more emphasis on one to one language learning Find ways to get local employers involved Identify support to advise about business start ups Think about a named family CS option to support reunion