Groups are coming together across the country to help refugee families settle and integrate into local life
“Our children correct us when we don’t pronounce some words with the proper Derbyshire accent,” says Samir*, an Afghan refugee whose family have settled into their new lives in the north of England.
Initially, he says, it was difficult for the family to get used to rural life in Derbyshire, but after a while they had integrated into the local community so well that his children, who have adopted the Derbyshire accent, tease him about his.
“Now our community is turning into a diverse community,” says Samir, who along with his family was relocated to the UK after Afghanistan fell to the Taliban in August 2021.
Part of the ease with which they have settled into the community is down to support from a community sponsorship scheme. It provides refugees withwraparound support from a group of residents who agree to fundraise, source affordable accommodation, and help with the basic challenges of life in a new country such as learning English, accessing work, study or benefits, and registering with a GP and dentist.
