HELPING STRANGERS BECOME NEIGHBOURS
Assessing The Circumstances And Needs Of Refugee Communities In Derby Upbeat Communities Overdale House 96 Whitaker Road Derby, DE23 6AP [email protected] 01332 916150 www.upbeatcommunities.org CONTENTS Welcome 4
Executive Summary 5
Assessing The Circumstances And Needs Of 6 Refugee Communities In Derby Research Methodology 8
Community Snapshots 10 Eritrean Community 11 Iranian Community 11 Pakistani Community 13 Iraq – Kurdish Community 14 Albanian Community 15 Syrian Community 15 Sri Lanka – Tamil Community 16 Afghanistan – Hazara Community 16 Chinese Community 17
Themes Arising From The Cross-Section 19 Of Communities Stages Of Development Of Refugee Communities 20 Choosing To Stay In Derby Or Not? 21 English Language Provision 22 Refugee Mental Health 24 The Path To Work 25 Concern For The Next Generation 27 Patterns Of Community Engagement 28 Community Organisation And Voice 29
Conclusions And Recommendations 30 Conclusion / Recommendation 31 Appendix 1 33 Communities With Established Organisations 34 Appendix 2 35 New Communities Research 36 Questionnaire 1 – Individuals Appendix 3 39 New Communities Research 40 Questionnaire 2 – Focus Groups
Acknowledgements 43 Abbreviations 43 As well as a providing a unique window into each of these communities – their WELCOME hopes, aspirations and concerns – common themes are drawn together which point to Upbeat Communities’ mission specific interventions which would greatly is ‘to help strangers become aid integration. The outcome of this will be neighbours’. We recognise that that refugees choose to stay in the city, becoming, as stated in our conclusion; engaging communities is key to that mission - both the refugee “powerful assets to the City of Derby, communities arriving in the city providing productive labour, generating and the settled community that new jobs and contributing across all areas of society”. receives them. I have a vision of Derby as a place where During our 12 years working in the city, we everyone can contribute and where we have tried to listen to the voices of those celebrate, rather than fear, the diversity communities, working with refugees and among us. It is our passion to ensure Derby local volunteers as new arrivals seek to continues to be a place of welcome for all rebuild their lives and contribute to the who arrive, especially refugees who have social, economic and cultural fabric of experienced great trauma and loss on the the city. With this in mind we decided to way. undertake this research which was carried out by our dedicated team of staff and volunteers, ably led by Jonathan Baillie. I Karina Martin am extremely grateful to him and all the Founder and CEO Upbeat Communities team as well as to Derby City Council who supported this initiative.
During this process of resettling, it is clear that refugees face many challenges and barriers which can prevent integration. In this piece of research, we have tried to provide a snapshot of 9 of the largest new refugee groups in the city, looking at how they are organised, what issues they face and how they find a voice in the public sphere.
4 Upbeat Communities’ volunteers interviewed a total of 16 key informants and EXECUTIVE 5 focus groups from 9 of the largest newly arriving refugee communities, involving 37 SUMMARY interviewees in total, providing a snapshot of the experiences of new refugee communities Derby is becoming an increasingly in Derby. multicultural city, home to a As a result of these interviews, the following variety of refugee communities. recommendations have been put forward: These refugee communities provide a wide range of support, • Extend free or affordable English language provision to all asylum services and activities for new seekers asylum seekers and refugees. They • Extend permission to work or understand the needs of their study to all asylum seekers who have waited for more than one members, can provide language year and culture specific support to • Crack down on rogue employers individuals and speak up on their who are illegally exploiting asylum behalf. seekers • Extend appropriate training for asylum seekers to equip them for Most refugees just want to be able to entering the labour market more rebuild their lives, find work, integrate into quickly their new host society and make a positive • Provide employment training and contribution. Given the right support, they support specifically tailored to the can become powerful assets to the City needs of refugees of Derby, providing productive labour, • Speed up the process of assessing generating new jobs and contributing in all and recognising overseas areas of society. To achieve this requires qualifications taking steps to encourage refugees to stay • Provide facilities for refugee in Derby and enable them to quickly move children to get lessons in their into the labour force. home language and culture • Safeguard provision of resources The way the asylum system currently for anti-extremism programs and operates, most asylum seekers are mental health services for war prevented from working or receiving trauma and torture victims most kinds of education and training. The • Support initiatives designed to provision of English language classes is also make refugees and asylum seekers limited. This is leading to increased mental feel welcome in Derby health problems among asylum seekers and slowing down the entry of genuine refugees into the workforce.
5 ASSESSING THE CIRCUMSTANCES & NEEDS OF REFUGEE COMMUNITIES IN DERBY Derby is becoming an increasingly multicultural city. The 2011 census showed that the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Population in Derby had increased to 24.7% of the population from just 15.7% in 2001 and that 34,600 Derby residents had been born outside the UK. Amongst others, these numbers include a variety of refugee communities.
Refugee communities provide a wide range of support, services and activities for asylum seekers and refugees who have newly arrived in the city of Derby. They understand the needs of their members, can provide language and culture specific support to individuals and speak up on behalf of their members. Often they are the first point of support for new arrivals . These communities sometimes operate informally, as a network of like-minded individuals, but in other cases they may be constituted as a formal organisation, providing services and projects for their community members. Of the groups we interviewed only 2 were formally constituted.
This research on behalf of Upbeat Communities engages with a number of these communities in order to identify their current circumstances, how they engage with their members, what the current needs within their communities are, and how they could be better supported to take part in civic engagement. Interviews and group discussions were carried out with key contacts from a number of such refugee communities, in order to capture a snapshot of each community and explore how stronger relationships can be built between these communities, the local authorities, statutory service providers and the voluntary sector.
7 As a result of these discussions, Upbeat Communities volunteers were able to RESEARCH connect with most of the largest, newly arriving refugee communities that were METHODOLOGY identified. A total of 16 key informants and 5 focus groups from 9 of the largest A range of organisations dealing new refugee communities identified were interviewed, involving a total of 37 with asylum seekers were interviewees. These interviews form the consulted in order to identify the basis of the community snapshots given most significant, currently arriving, below and the subsequent themes emerging asylum seeker populations and from the research. to find key contacts within as Data on accommodation provided for new many of the largest of those arrivals across the East Midlands in the first communities as possible. These 9 months of 2015 revealed that the largest refugee populations coming in to the region included interviews with British were as follows: Red Cross, Derby Refugee Advice Centre (DRAC), New Communities in Social Enterprise (NCISE) and Food Education Enterprise (FEE).
NATIONALITY JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP TOTAL Eritrea 18 32 24 15 8 25 40 32 19 213 Iran 37 11 18 14 30 26 15 19 39 209 Sudan 13 17 13 6 4 14 41 32 40 180 Pakistan 10 17 33 17 9 20 15 2 13 136 Iraq 6 17 10 10 5 11 12 12 32 115 Albania 5 10 15 11 16 17 12 17 4 107 Syria 13 10 12 12 12 2 8 7 19 95 Nigeria 9 24 6 14 7 12 3 11 86 Sri Lanka 6 7 8 4 11 6 5 5 9 61 Afghanistan 4 10 6 11 2 8 13 3 57 Others 43 43 59 30 46 58 68 59 54 460 Tota l 164 198 204 133 152 188 236 201 243 1719
Figure 1. Asylum Seekers – East Midlands new arrivals data - Oct 2015
8 In addition to these refugee populations, a they are just people from the same country”. significant community of Chinese asylum Hence, the term “community” has been seekers, particularly relating to Derby, was employed in this report from this initial identified in figures giving a snapshot of Feb starting point of people coming from the 2015 , in which they were the second largest same country. It was decided to begin with group overall that month. finding interviewees from countries that asylum seekers are coming from and then For each community snapshot, to start exploring their perceptions of their questionnaires were devised to enable a own community identity and the community better understanding of: identities of others from their country, thus starting to fill out the picture of other The demographics of the dimensions of the term community amongst community them.
What activities the community are The information collected during the doing together interviews and focus groups was then What issues are currently affecting analysed to look for both similarities and the community differences between the communities surveyed in order to identify themes and How the community engages with learning points from the research. voluntary, statutory and private sectors in the city Attempts were made to engage with all of the communities identified above but we How the community finds its voice were not successful in finding Sudanese in the city to raise issues they are or Nigerians to interview. One East African facing collectively community organisation who have good connections with certain African diaspora In many cases, refugees and asylum seekers refugee communities, were asked for from a particular country do not form one their help but declined to take part in this single cohesive community. One interviewee research. put it this way: “They are not communities,
9 COMMUNITY SNAPSHOTS affected by the lack of a strong community association or other means of providing ERITREAN strong affinity with the city. COMMUNITY Eritreans were connecting with DRAC, British Red Cross, Upbeat Communities, G4S and The Eritrean community in Derby is almost Derby College. Some of the Christians entirely made up of recently arrived were connecting with New Life Church and refugees and asylum seekers who have fled Community Church Derby (CCD). from oppression in their country. There are a number of divides in the community along religious (Muslim/ Orthodox/ Pentecostal) and mother tongue language lines (Tigre, IRANIAN Tigrinya, Arabic and Amharic) which often also reflect ethnic differences. The community was estimated to be around 150 COMMUNITY strong in Derby (roughly 100 male and 50 The Iranian Community in Derby broadly female), and that maybe 60% of those were consists of an older more established group, currently in the asylum process. Roughly many of whom came in the wake of the 60% of the community were single, 40% Iranian Revolution, and a second wave of in families and around 60% of the men more recent refugees and asylum seekers. were working. As with all the communities This second wave make up a significant surveyed, these estimates were made by the proportion of the Iranians in Derby. The size community members themselves with no of the community was estimated to be 250 other verification. of which around 70% were male and 30% female. Of these, around 30% were single In terms of formal structures in the and 70% in families with about 20% under community, there is no Eritrean Community 18. Around 80% of men and maybe 50% of Association but there are some Christian women were thought to be working. It was religious gatherings, both Orthodox and estimated that 60% of the community are Pentecostal. The St. Chad’s Centre and the refugees from either the first or second Sudanese café in Normanton were identified waves, and maybe 25% are current asylum as places where some members of the seekers. The rest are either failed asylum community like to gather. seekers or have come in other ways e.g. for business or to study. The biggest issues in the community are the English language barrier (by far the Although there are religious and ethnic biggest issue) and negotiating the asylum differences within the community, these and benefit systems so that people can were not particularly seen as dividing lines. progress to finding work. Friends in the Rather, a more general lack of trust between community will informally help one another Iranians was identified as a barrier to with translation or signposting. It was felt community cohesion. One participant stated that most asylum seekers in this community that “Unity does not apply to Iranians” citing who got positive decisions tend to leave the failure of three previous attempts to Derby in order to find work with maybe form Community Associations only 40% choosing to stay. This may also be
11 for Iranians. He stated that one such attempt and psychological problems due to isolation. was “destroyed by jealousy, rumour and For children and youth, the main issues lies”. Efforts are underway to try to establish were: forgetting Farsi language and Iranian a new Iranian “Anjuman” Community culture; isolation outside of school/college Association. In addition to Christian and settings; lack of extracurricular activities; Baha’i religious groups, there seem to be lack of any place to gather with other a number of big personalities who have Iranians of their own age. One participant their own followings. Different sections of stated that the kids were “always alone at the community gather in places such as the home with their mobile phones”. Another Bosnia Herzegovina Centre, ‘The Studio’, FEE participant identified two other issues for café, CCD, ‘Kebab House’ restaurant and men: “difficulty in understanding English until its recent closure, the ‘Noon o Kebab’ culture” and “rejection” by one of the restaurant. established Sunni Muslim communities. Other issues cited for Iranians were: the The biggest issues in the community were need for support with the Job Centre and identified as: lack of English language; finding work; the need for engineering and loneliness and mental illness especially skills training opportunities; and advice on among those who are isolated or do not how to get into professions here that they have the right to work; unemployment; had in Iran. lack of marketable skills; inability to access opportunities e.g. due to unrecognised Of those asylum seekers who get positive qualifications or inadequate language skills; decisions, an increasing number are now and the corrosive lack of unity and trust choosing to stay in Derby – perhaps 60%. within the community itself. For women, the Those who do choose to leave, normally do main issues were lack of English language so for work or family reasons, or to live in bigger cities with larger Iranian communities which have Farsi education provision for the children.
Iranians were connecting with British Red Cross, DRAC, Upbeat Communities, language classes at St. James Centre and the Multicultural Centre, CCD, Jobs Education Training (JET), Job centre, Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and the Law Centre. The biggest barrier to connecting with these organisations was clearly lack of English although there are several people in the community who help with translation. English classes that are free or at least affordable by asylum seekers were identified as a big need. Provision of or support for translation services would also increase engagement with voluntary and statutory sectors.
12 Many of the concerns of the Pakistani community were those of a more PAKISTANI established community: unemployment in the Pakistani community; drugs and COMMUNITY crime; poor housing stock; creaking infrastructure; lower life expectancy in The Pakistani Community in Derby is much inner city wards; and school catchment bigger and more established than all the areas. However, other concerns were other communities with significant numbers also expressed: falling school standards of people claiming asylum, that form part perceived as being due to “new Eastern of this research. At the 2011 census, the European pupils for whom English is Pakistani community comprised ‘5.9% of the a second language”; and the risk of total population’ of Derby i.e. ‘14,620’ people. extremism and grooming for terrorism As a result, even though according to one which was cited as a particular worry in measure Pakistani asylum seekers were the Pakistani community. One interviewee the largest single group of asylum seekers stated that “older Pakistani women in Derby in February 2015 , they are still a have least access to the job market or very small percentage of the community are in low paid work”. For children and and easily blend in anonymously. There was youth, the major issues were seen as: generally a low level of awareness that there risk of radicalisation; low achievement in even are any Pakistani asylum seekers in the school; drugs; falling school standards; community. Most of those claiming asylum low skill base with many going into the were running from violent intolerance of late night economy; and Pakistani gangs. their views (religious, social, political) by For men, isolation from other cultures one group or another in Pakistan. Examples was identified as a particular concern include Ahmadiyya Muslims who are seen along with unemployment. Asylum as a cult in Pakistan; people who have ‘love seekers’ own concerns largely centred on marriages’ without the approval of parents; learning English and problems with the women suffering from various human rights accommodation they had been given. abuses; Sufi Muslims fleeing from Sunni extremists etc. In the Pakistani community, most people stay in Derby if they do get a positive The Pakistani Community Centre provides decision but if they were to leave it a focal point for the community and there would either be for work, for training are approximately 10 Pakistani mosques opportunities or for family reasons. Some around the city of which the largest is the of the asylum seekers believed they could Jamia mosque in Normanton. A number of go on free training courses (language or different sections of the community were technical training like plumbing) in other identified reflecting different denominations cities such as Newcastle, which they of mosques, as well as different ethnicities, would have to pay for in Derby. If asylum language variations and minority religions. seekers need help, they usually turn to In addition to the mosques and the friends or to the Pakistani Community Pakistani Community Centre, sections of the Centre. One interviewee commented that community also gather at the Labour Party, there were “not many support networks, which has a strong Pakistani contingent, and only family networks” meaning that it at restaurants such as the ‘Shalimar’. would be much harder for isolated
13 asylum seekers who did not already have Amongst the Kurds, the major groupings family in Derby. Lack of English Language were around language dialects – Sorani is a barrier for new arrivals but they can from Iraq, Kurmanji from Syria, Behdini often find other Pakistani friends who can from Iraq and Iranian dialects as well. Most help them with this. Some participants Kurds were Muslim but there were also some also identified lack of funding for training Yazidis and Christians. In addition to the provision as a barrier preventing asylum Kurdish Salahuddin mosque on Charlotte seekers moving forward. Street and a Kurdish Christian group at CCD, there is also a Kurdish football team and a The Pakistani community is well represented Kurdish women’s group. They like to gather by local councillors and school governors in cafes and restaurants such as ‘Kebab and as such is politically organised. However, House’ or ‘Saara’, and in ‘Feryad’s Snooker the needs of asylum seekers within the Hall’ on Peartree Road. community are not very visible. The training and support needs of the community were The biggest issues facing the community identified as: ESOL language provision; were identified as: lack of English language; technical and skills training (e.g. plumbing, fears over radicalisation at the mosque; lack computing); support against radicalisation of permission to work for asylum seekers; and extremism; support into employment and the difficulty of finding marriage including employability training; and partners. For women, isolation due to lack of measures to combat isolation. language was identified as a problem. For children and young people, forgetting their own language and culture was perceived as an issue along with having to translate for IRAQ – KURDISH parents. It was estimated that 90% of Kurds COMMUNITY stay in the city if they get leave to remain
The Iraqi community is largely divided into Kurdish and Arab parts. In this research, we came in contact with the Kurdish section of this community. Amongst the Kurds, there was an affinity with ‘Kurdistan’ which crossed national borders, but most of them came from Iraq. The size of the Kurdish community (not only Iraqi Kurds) was estimated to be around 600 people (60% male and 40% female) but one interviewee put this figure much higher at over 2000. It was estimated that 40% were single and 60% in families. Around 75% of men were reckoned to be working and around 10% of women. Around 80% of the community were thought to be refugees and the rest asylum seekers, either current or rejected.
14 but if they do leave, it would probably be aware of Upbeat Communities, Red Cross, for work or family reasons. They usually CCD and language classes at St. James get friends to help out when they need Centre. In addition to Advice from the translation. Red Cross and English classes, some of them found a sense of community through The Kurdish community interviewees participating in ‘Upbeat Communities’ mentioned connecting with DRAC, CAB, ‘Chad’s Challenge’, healthy living Upbeat Communities, Red Cross, Law programme which involves cooking and Centre and schools when they need advice. physical activities such as playing games. Language was identified as the single Language is clearly the biggest barrier they biggest barrier to access with a clear desire face in connecting with voluntary, statutory to see more accessible language learning and private sectors as well as their main provision. In terms of collective voice, the training need. Kurdish community had used petitions, talked to MPs, organised protests and made collections for refugees in Iraqi Kurdistan in conjunction with CCD. They saw their SYRIAN biggest training needs as English language learning; business training; technical skills training and cultural awareness training, COMMUNITY particularly with regard to English culture. The Syrian Community is still small at the moment but likely to grow significantly. The focus group that was interviewed was made ALBANIAN up of both Kurds and Arabs, mostly from Aleppo and Damascus. There are multiple, mostly Arabic speaking, ethnic and religious COMMUNITY groups but nevertheless there seems to be a measure of unity between them. They The Albanian community seems to be estimated that their community was about quite small, although there were at least 28 25 strong, 60% male and 40% female. They Albanians in Derby in Feb 2015. There seems reckoned about 40% were refugees and 60% to be a deep-seated lack of trust between asylum seekers. They did not identify any the Albanians here leading to a very particular community leaders or gathering divided community along Balkan ethnic and places. language lines. Those who were interviewed, knew very few Albanians in Derby and did The biggest issues facing the community not want to be connected with any others. were: lack of English language; dealing with They were not aware of any community the effects of trauma from the war, which leaders or gathering places although a few affect the ability to focus on learning; and come together at Upbeat Communities. For housing issues. For women, lack of English translation, they tended to rely on Google and isolation at home were identified as Translate or translators provided by GP or issues. For children and youth, the biggest hospital staff. issues were: having the feeling of safety; getting into school; making friends; and the Members of the Albanian community were lack of things to do outside school.
15 For men, the biggest issues were: mental groups of Buddhists, Hindus, Christians health; retraining for work because they and Muslims. Some Sri Lankan Tamils have can’t access the jobs they were trained for; connected with Tamil organisations that are making new friends; and overcoming the primarily South Indian such as ‘South India shame of having to ask for help. So far, most Association’ and ‘Derby Tamil Kudumbam’ people stay when they get leave to remain (i.e. Tamil family/community). No particular but some leave to find a bigger Syrian community leaders were identified and they community. mostly gather in homes.
The interviewees seemed to be connecting The biggest issues for this community were: with statutory organisations like the Job discrimination against asylum seekers; Centre, NHS and housing providers. They lack of English language; overcoming did not seem to have connected much with cultural differences; settling children in the voluntary sector. They complained that school; limited opportunity to meet other when they arrived, they were ‘only told Sri Lankans; and lack of permission to where the Post Office was so they could get work while in the asylum system. They their money’. They identified barriers to estimated that only 25% of those getting connecting in the shape of: lack of English leave to remain chose to stay in Derby, language; cultural shame over asking for primarily because of the lack of a Sri Lankan help; lack of status of asylum seekers; and community. Sri Lankans are connecting with lack of finance. They felt these problems Target housing, Upbeat Communities, Red could be overcome if they acted in a Cross, City Council and DRAC. Once again, united way and had a place to gather as a lack of English language is the biggest community. They saw their biggest needs barrier to connecting although one of the Sri as: trauma counselling; language lessons; Lankans provides some unofficial translation support for children; and medical help with for others. Their biggest needs were: English adapting to life in the UK. language classes; skills training; support with connecting with other Sri Lankans. SRI LANKA-TAMIL AFGHANISTAN COMMUNITY - HAZARA The Sri Lankan community is another small community. It was estimated to be around 30 people - 60% male and 40% female, COMMUNITY 95% of whom are here as families. They reckoned that about 20% of the community There are three main groups within the were refugees with the other 80% being Afghan community in Derby – the Pashtuns, asylum seekers, both current and failed. The Hazaras and the Afghan Sikhs. Tajiks Around 40% of the men are working but and Uzbeks sometimes join with the none of the women. They identified ethnic Pashtuns and sometimes with the Hazaras divisions in the community between for different events. Each of the groups joins Singhalese and Tamils as well as religious
16 with those from Pakistan who share their one another out whenever there is a need ethnicity, or in the case of the Afghan Sikhs for translation. with Indian, Pakistani or British Sikhs. The size of the Hazara community was reckoned Hazaras were typically connecting with: to be around 120 people – 65% male and Derby College including language classes 35% female and around 50% under 18. at St. James Centre and the Multicultural There are about 75% in families and 25% centre; health services such as GP and singles. It was estimated that 95% of the walk-in centre; City Council, DRAC, CCD and men work but only about 5% of the women. their lawyers. They also connect nationally Approximately 60% are refugees and the with ‘Hazara UK’ which organises national remaining 40% are asylum seekers, either demonstrations, advocacy and events. In current or failed. one recent case, Hazaras across the UK were alerted by Facebook to an impending There are two official Afghan groups – demonstration. One barrier to learning The Derby Afghan Group (DAG), primarily that was identified was the timing of for Hazaras and the Afghan Community English Classes – evening classes would be Association (ACA), primarily for Pashtuns. better for those who work in daytime jobs The leadership of the ACA was changing such as construction or as car mechanics at the time of the research interviews and etc. It was felt that if the community had unfortunately no-one was made available their own centre, they could: run English for interview. In addition to these groups, language classes at a suitable time; run Afghans gather regularly to play football Dari/Hazaragi language and culture classes in Normanton Park and the Hazara ladies for the children; and also have a place for frequently gather informally for birthday celebrating festivals and birthdays. The parties etc. The Hazaras usually gather community is well organised with all the in homes or rented space for parties such Hazara families paying £20 per month as ‘Nowruz’ (Persian New Year). There is a by direct debit into a bank account with group of Afghan Christians connected to multiple signatories, so that there is money CCD, who meet at the Riverside Centre. available for events or projects.
The biggest challenges facing the Hazara community were felt to be: the need for a place of their own for classes and CHINESE celebrations; connecting with English people and with people from other cultures too; relationships between people in the COMMUNITY community; and, especially for ladies, The Chinese Community is another long learning English language. For children established community which has its own and young people, the biggest issues community centre. It was estimated to be raised were: no classes for learning Dari/ about 500 strong, roughly 50% male, 50% Hazaragi language and Afghan culture; female. Approximately 80% of the men were and no place to gather with friends outside working compared with around 30% of the school. Approximately 85% of people who women. Only about 10% of the community get leave to remain, choose to stay in Derby were reckoned to be refugees and another afterwards. Those who do leave, primarily 10% were reckoned to be asylum seekers. do so for work. Hazaras will typically help
17 There seemed to be different groups For youth, the issues were more to do with: within the community along linguistic lines, gambling leading to poor schoolwork; between Cantonese (including Hakka), and cheating; loneliness; and mental problems Mandarin speakers, and along religious including suicidal young people. For men: lines between Christians and Buddhists. lack of English language; drug abuse; One interviewee expressed it this way: “The alcohol abuse; and sexual infidelity were Hakka people (Han Chinese from SE China) cited as issues. It seems that most people reject people from Foo Chow (Mandarin and stay in Derby after they get leave to remain Fuzhou speaking Han Chinese from Eastern but those who do leave, primarily do so China)”. for work. Many stay and get jobs in the many Chinese takeaways or start their own There is a community centre on Abbey businesses. Street which is apparently largely run by Cantonese speakers who are predominantly The Chinese community tends to be quite Buddhist. Chinese school lessons for children insular, not connecting with many voluntary are given there. As well as organising organisations, and only where necessary celebrations such as Chinese New Year or with statutory organisations. They do the Mooncake festival, they also have: a connect with other Chinese Associations lunch club; high teas; dancing; games like in Nottingham and Chester. The barriers Mah-Jong and Badminton; and karaoke. to connecting with other organisations Apart from the children at school, the are not only lack of language, but also the majority of people in the community who shame, for Chinese people, associated with regularly use this centre are elderly and asking for help from outsiders. If people don’t speak English or Mandarin. There is need translation, many go to friends, the also an active Chinese Methodist church church or the community association. Lack which has about 75 members as well as of finance and lack of knowledge of how to a Mother and Toddler group with Chinese apply for funding were also cited as barriers participants at an Ashbourne Road church. to achieving community goals. There was As well as religious gatherings, the Chinese a perception that the Chinese community church provides other services for those were getting less than their fair share of who come e.g. community outings; Sunday resources compared to other immigrant school; community groups; signposting; help communities. The Chinese community with letters and translation; liaison with the would appreciate input from someone on University chaplaincy and with the police. the City Council to explain what funds and There are also many Chinese takeaways benefits are available and how to apply for and restaurants in Derby such as the ‘Water public funds for the Chinese community. Margin’. They also see the need for further training in English language; food hygiene; health The biggest issues facing the Chinese topics, especially for the elderly; and better community were cited as: language barriers; understanding of the legal rights of married isolation; gambling; drugs; lack of funding; versus unmarried couples. and illegitimate families. It was noted there are quite a number of single mothers whose husbands have left them. For children, the biggest concerns were poor behaviour and the need to learn about Chinese culture.
18 THEMES ARISING FROM THE CROSS-SECTION OF COMMUNITIES STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT OF REFUGEE COMMUNITIES
There are clearly differences barriers to unity can be overcome. For some between the concerns of the people, the asylum process has taken far too long – raising concerns such as: mental different communities depending health of community members affected by on their size and the length of lack of permission to work, isolation and time they have been establishing seemingly endless waiting; inability to find themselves. marriage partners due to lack of status and work; lack of training opportunities For the smallest and newest communities for those in the asylum system. For these (e.g. Sri Lankans, Syrians, Albanians), communities, the dream of having their own the primary concerns are the immediate community centre has many possibilities: concerns of new arrivals: learning English; home language and culture classes for the being able to make friends; concerns over children; affordable English classes for adults housing provision; getting children settled at accessible times; gathering to celebrate into school; finding your way through the important cultural festivals; perhaps as a asylum system and into work. Dealing place of worship; and providing a place to with the mental scars of trauma is also a meet others of a similar age from your own significant issue for those from countries community for social activities. where there is war or particularly violent oppression. Although the Eritrean community For the communities that are largest and/ has now grown larger, it is still new and or have been here the longest and have has many of the same concerns. Similar achieved the goal of their own community concerns are often also raised by new centre or place of worship (e.g. Pakistani, asylum seekers in each of the communities. Iraqi Kurds, Chinese), an additional level of concerns start to emerge: provision for For communities that have grown bigger elderly people in the community who have and become a little more established not learned English (e.g. providing health (e.g. Afghan Hazaras, Iranians), some education for them); concern over school new concerns begin to emerge. There catchment areas and school standards are still concerns over: learning English; where children are arriving from other finding employment; getting education or countries without English; accessing public benefits. However, we also begin to see funds; concerns over gangs, gambling, more communal concerns emerging such alcoholism and drugs; and fears in Sunni as: gathering the community together Muslim communities over the risks of for cultural or religious events; providing extremism and radicalisation in the mosques education to the children in the home they have built. Once again, some of the language and culture; the aspiration to have earlier concerns persist: learning English; their own community centre or place of finding employment; and isolation of certain worship; the desire to organise together if groups.
20 CHOOSING TO STAY IN DERBY OR NOT?
There was quite a variation between the have been choosing to stay than in the past. communities on whether refugees chose The biggest factors in this kind of decision to remain in Derby or not. For communities are: Job opportunities; location of family such as Pakistanis, Afghan Hazaras, and and relatives; the draw of larger homeland Iraqi Kurds, it seems that the overwhelming communities and the draw of big cities in majority of people opt to stay in Derby general. Another major factor is whether when they get leave to remain. These the refugees feel welcome in the city, and communities are large or medium sized, initiatives such as ‘City of Sanctuary’, well organised and relatively united. On ‘Welcome Boxes’ and Refugee Week have the other hand, for communities like the all been helpful in making refugees feel Sri Lankans and Eritreans, which are either accepted and welcome in Derby. It seems small or not well organised, it seems that that once communities become more stable most people choose to leave. The Iranians and manage to organise themselves better, are somewhere in the middle with maybe more people in those communities choose 60% staying but recently more of them to stay in Derby.
21 ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROVISION
All of the refugee communities, Classes are often not at times that without exception, identified refugees can access if they are also working e.g. there are very English language provision, few evening or weekend classes particularly for new arrivals, as available. their most important need. The effects of this policy are that: some refugees don’t get offered Acquiring English is fundamental to the work or don’t take work because it ability of refugees to communicate with would clash with their English classes; their neighbours, to become full members some do take the work and have to of society, to gain access to the labour leave their English classes while their market or the benefit system, to interact English level is still very poor. with schools, hospitals and other voluntary, statutory or private organisations, or to engage in the political process. Free English language provision for asylum seekers was stopped after one term of English after which they A number of issues were flagged up during could pay £200 per term to continue the research regarding English language to attend classes. provision: The effects of this policy are that New asylum seekers are not eligible the majority of asylum seekers to attend formal classes until they stopped attending English lessons have been in the city for 6 months or after three months when they had have been given leave to remain. not yet acquired enough English Irrespective of whatever political for functioning well in society. reasons there may be for this, the Expecting asylum seekers to give effects of this policy are that: English up around half of their income in learning is delayed, leading to order to attend English classes is refugees remaining in dependency unrealistic, with only those who have and having to stay in the benefit other income or savings being able system and unemployed for to stay in the classes. This will also longer; isolation and mental health have reduced the income stream problems are increased due to lack and student numbers of the Further of opportunities for socialisation; Education colleges which may have potential alienation from neighbours other ramifications for employment because they are slow to pick up or viability in some cases. English, with resultant tensions in the community.
22 Several other organisations have stepped in with providing some free or low cost English classes (e.g. DRAC, Derby Language “I am alone in this School, JET, and Central Library amongst others). In general, the free classes are country, with no not able to provide the level of sustained mother or father or input afforded by formal classes in the Further Education Colleges so progress brother or sister or my will inevitably be slower. In most cases, the classes are available as soon as a new husband, but when I asylum seeker arrives in the city, unless they are full or reserved for refugees. However, met you everything the free classes are not on offer at evenings or weekends. changed. You became my brothers and If the refugee communities themselves start to offer English classes for their own sisters” community members, there may be a risk of ghettoization. There would undoubtedly be a (Upbeat Communities project reduction in the benefit that English classes participant) bring people from different communities together, encouraging integration and mutual understanding.
23 living in the house. This isolation is a further factor leading to mental health concerns REFUGEE such as depression. A common concern was that there was a lack of opportunities to find MENTAL HEALTH others who speak their language and get together socially with them, although some Mental Health was raised in were finding community through voluntary sector organisations such as DRAC or various forms by around half Upbeat Communities. Programmes such as of the communities. The most international youth clubs, kids clubs, mother obvious mental health concern and toddler groups, cooking classes etc. can was for those dealing with the provide vital lifelines for isolated asylum seekers and refugees. effects of trauma from extreme situations e.g. from war, kidnap Culture stress can be a further factor or torture etc. By its very nature, affecting refugee mental health. Some refugees feel shame at having to depend accepting refugees is likely to on state handouts to live as asylum seekers include such cases, as people flee here. There is confusion over how things from wars, terrorist groups or work in this culture – differences in gender repressive regimes. As the number roles; different cultural expectations over marriage and family life; difficulty of refugees increases, this will in adjusting to the freedoms available in undoubtedly have implications for UK society. As a result, there are reports mental health provision in the city. that some people are getting trapped in addictions to alcohol, gambling or drugs and Another concern was that asylum seekers reports of some others resorting to domestic develop mental health problems because violence. they have nothing to do. Significant numbers have been waiting in the asylum system for many months or years without permission to work and with no indication as to how much longer they may have to wait. This situation is compounded when many of these asylum seekers are also not able to attend English classes for reasons outlined above. It seems that many begin to feel hopeless and that they have nothing to get up for - leading to depression, anxiety and in some cases destructive behaviours.
Even though most refugees are living with others, many still feel isolated because they don’t have English language skills to communicate with others and in many cases, they have no common language with others
24 little language. They are gambling on the lack of law enforcement with regard to the THE PATH TO Minimum Wage in Derby. WORK English language is key for opening many work opportunities up to refugees hence The refugees and asylum seekers the importance of ensuring they get good English as soon as possible. For many want to work. However they have refugees, their English lessons really start many obstacles to overcome when they are sent by the Job Centre for before they can get into the kind classes even though they could have started of work they may be qualified for months earlier while they were in the asylum system but they were not eligible to in their home country or would register. For some this creates the perverse now like to do. incentive to stay on Job Seekers Allowance while getting free English teaching rather When they first enter the asylum system, than taking low paid work and losing their they are usually not given permission to opportunity for learning English. work. If they knew this work prohibition would be for a defined short period, most Many refugees have paid a lot of money to would not mind. However they see some come to the UK and have left behind good people waiting in limbo for years and jobs in their home countries. Often they getting increasingly depressed, and others would like to get into similar work here but whose cases have failed, taking illegal work they hit two main obstacles: the language and getting away with it. Most failed asylum obstacle which means they sometimes seekers see no alternative – they believe require very high levels of fluency such as they have to find work, almost at any price, IELTS qualifications; and the obstacle of in order to survive. Hence a proportion of getting their qualifications recognised. This asylum seekers who are still in the system second obstacle can be very frustrating and in receipt of asylum support are also since the process is not clear to them. It tempted to enter the black market for can take a long time and many do not have labour, often in the late night economy with original documents with them, perhaps only unscrupulous employers anecdotally paying pictures of the documents if anything. In £3/hr or even £2/hr in some cases. order to get such people into productive, tax paying work more quickly, this process This situation creates a distortion in the needs to be streamlined and made better market. The asylum seekers themselves are understood through tailored careers advice being exploited. Unscrupulous employers support. With better education regarding get rich on the back of exploited labour. the process for qualification recognition, Legitimate employers are disadvantaged there is no particular reason why asylum and undercut by the use of black market seekers could not be getting all the labour. No tax or National Insurance is necessary documentation ready including being paid for their work. Refugees have translation, attestation, notarisation or more trouble finding work because asylum whatever else is required, even before they seekers are illegally taking the kinds of have leave to remain. This could reduce work that refugees could be doing with unnecessary delays which keep refugees
25 stuck in the benefit system. UK. There is need for more resources for this kind of training to motivate people and give Many immigrant communities have thriving a boost to job creation in the city. restaurant and takeaway sectors and so there is a need for food hygiene training Other refugees really want to get job- which could easily be delivered even to focussed skills training and qualifications asylum seekers before they get leave to e.g. for plumbing, plastering, bricklaying, remain. Some refugees have accessed this welding, and as electricians, care workers kind of training through programs such or beauticians etc. Given limited places, as one offered by Upbeat Communities in this kind of training probably needs to be conjunction with the Red Cross. reserved for refugees but could include asylum seekers who have been waiting Some are entrepreneurs with great ideas for e.g. a year or more. Finally, there are a who would love to quickly start their own whole range of others who may wish to take small businesses. However, in addition to academic qualifications such as GCSEs or A language, they would benefit from some levels or go to University. These would also entrepreneur training into how to start a normally be reserved for refugees but some business in the UK, so that they understand courses could be offered to asylum seekers the regulatory framework in the UK who have been waiting for e.g. a year or including legal and financial obligations. more. Again this kind of training could easily be offered to asylum seekers as well as refugees to motivate and to give a boost to job creation in the city. Some of the refugees said they had accessed Upbeat Communities’ Enterprise training program and learned how to start a business in the
26 and Syrian families have begun to use St Chad’s Centre for such purposes. The cost CONCERN is often increased when caretaker staff need to be present but one suggestion for FOR THE NEXT reducing these was if several communities were encouraged to use different rooms in the same, suitably located facility at the GENERATION same times. With suitable brokering, this kind of system could be set up providing a Nearly half of the communities revenue stream for the facility concerned expressed the need for their and a valued service for a number of refugee communities at the same time, children and young people to be without the risk of promoting isolation from able to learn their own language other ethnicities. and culture. They also want to be able to get together socially with others from their own community who are facing similar challenges. These things are good for the mental health of the young people, providing extra-curricular activities for them and helping to build a sense of community, providing they do not promote isolation from the wider society. Typically this desire was being expressed by communities who see their young people starting to lose this cultural and linguistic knowledge, and this promotes the dream of having their own community centre.
The desire to provide such classes for the children could be addressed relatively easily if facilities such as school classrooms, voluntary sector meeting rooms or existing community centres were available for hire at reasonable rates e.g. on Saturday mornings or at other suitable times for such communities. Some groups, such as Eritrean
27 such as the Kurdish Mosque. They were also connecting with: educational centres such PATTERNS OF as: COMMUNITY • Derby College • Schools and language classes at St James Centre and the Multicultural ENGAGEMENT Centre • Health organisations such as GPs or Walk The smallest and newest In Centres communities (i.e. Syrians, • Housing organisations such as G4S • Other statutory bodies e.g. City Council Sri Lankans, Albanians) were and Job Centre connecting well with voluntary organisations - particularly The largest and most established Upbeat Communities (perhaps communities (i.e. Pakistani and Chinese) did not seem to connect as much with the unsurprisingly because the voluntary sector. None of those interviewed interviews were being carried in these communities mentioned Red Cross out by Upbeat Communities or DRAC at all although there was some volunteers) but also Red Cross acknowledgement of JET and Upbeat Communities. They saw themselves as and DRAC to a lesser extent. They connecting with many organisations were connecting with religious across the city and presumably felt less organisations e.g. churches such need for the kinds of help generally being offered by voluntary sector organisations, as CCD. They were also connecting particularly since both groups already with: housing organisations have their own community associations. e.g. G4S and Target housing; They were connecting with various educational centres such as religious organisations e.g. mosques such as Jamia Mosque and churches such as schools and language classes Chinese Methodist Church. They were also at St. James Centre; and other connecting with: educational organisations, statutory bodies e.g. City Council particularly schools; and statutory bodies, and NASS. particularly the City Council.
The medium sized communities in the next bracket (i.e. Iranians, Afghan Hazaras, Iraqi Kurds, Eritreans) were connecting well with voluntary organisations – particularly DRAC and Red Cross but also with CAB, Upbeat “I had lots of Communities and to a lesser extent JET and the law centre. They were connecting with problems. I came here religious organisations e.g. churches such as CCD and New Life as well as Mosques and I felt better.”
(Participant at one of Upbeat Communities’ free English classes)
28 have been able to organise petitions and demonstrations. In conjunction with other COMMUNITY Kurdish communities across the Midlands and some Derby churches including CCD, ORGANISATION they also organised a significant collection of clothes and other supplies for refugees in AND VOICE Iraqi Kurdistan. The Afghan Hazara community is well Most of the groups showed little organised under clear leadership in the sign of the kind of organisation ‘Derby Afghan Group’ and has a system of fundraising from within the community that could enable their collective in place enabling community building voice to be heard. This applied activities such as parties for ‘Nowruz’, to all the small new communities: Persian New Year. Every family gives £20 Albanians, Sri Lankans, Syrians; per month towards this, into a bank account with multiple signatories from within the and also to the Eritreans and community. They are also linked with a the Iranians. None of these national organisation called ‘Hazara UK’ communities had clear community which has been effective in organising demonstrations in London. People from leadership or else they appeared Derby have attended such demonstrations, unable to unite behind the being mobilised by ‘Hazara UK’ at short leadership that does exist. notice through Facebook.
The Chinese were also not politically The most politically organised group was organised but did have clear leadership in clearly the Pakistani community who have a both the Chinese Welfare Association and strong connection to the Labour party in the the Chinese Methodist Church. They were city and significant representation in local networking with Chinese communities in government. They also have representation other cities such as Nottingham and Chester. as school governors in several schools. There is clear Pakistani leadership in The Iraqi Kurdish community has clear the Mosques, the Pakistani Community leadership through the Kurdish Mosque Association and from the Pakistani City and other non-religious leaders. They Councillors amongst others.
29 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS CONCLUSION / RECOMMENDATION
Most refugees want to be able Advocate for all asylum seekers, to rebuild their lives by finding (excluding failed asylum seekers), work, integrating into their 2. to be given the right to work and the right to education and job skills new host society and making training if their cases have not been a positive contribution. In so resolved within a reasonable time doing they want to provide the period, e.g. one year after their next generation with the best claim was registered. This would directly lead to better mental health possible opportunities, without among asylum seekers, reduce illegal losing connection with the home working and provide pressure to language and culture. Given the resolve cases within one year. right support, they can become Investigate where asylum seekers are powerful assets to the City of working illegally and identify rogue Derby, providing productive 3. employers who are exploiting asylum labour, generating new jobs and seekers, so they can be brought to justice. Even a few well publicised contributing across all areas of cases each year would act as a society. The following actions are powerful deterrent to other rogue recommended in order to increase employers against employing asylum the likelihood that refugees will seekers who don’t have National Insurance numbers or permission to choose to stay in Derby, will work. maintain better mental health and that they will be able to get into Encourage the Voluntary Sector productive work in a shorter time: to deliver appropriate trainings 4. (e.g. enterprise training and food hygiene training) and to provide Ensure that free or affordable English opportunities for socialising (e.g. teaching is available to all asylum international youth clubs, kids clubs, seekers as soon as possible after 1. mother and toddler groups etc.), for their arrival in the city. Excessive both asylum seekers and refugees. All costs for classes and limiting access of these activities would be good for to classes have proved to be false the mental health of asylum seekers. economies because they delay The trainings would equip asylum refugees’ entry into the workforce seekers and refugees for work and increase mental health or starting their own businesses, problems. enabling some to move into work
31 more quickly. Refugees often also Ensure adequate resources are need support and training during the available for addressing specific transition into work. 7. refugee concerns over the potential for Islamist radicalisation in certain Identify potential providers of Sunni Muslim refugee communities careers advice for both asylum and concerns regarding mental 5. seekers and refugees, and set up health services for war trauma or appropriate mechanisms to provide torture victims. This measure would help with the process of getting help to ensure better integration qualifications from other countries of new refugee communities with recognised at an equivalent UK level. particular needs. This measure could enable refugees to enter the workforce more quickly. Encourage initiatives to make refugees feel welcome in the City Provide affordable facilities for 8. of Derby e.g. City of Sanctuary, refugee communities (amongst Refugee Week and the Welcome 6. others) to hold classes for their Box initiative. These initiatives can children in their home language encourage more refugees to choose and culture. This would encourage to remain in Derby. better community organisation and increase the likelihood of refugees choosing to stay in Derby.
32
APPENDIX 1 COMMUNITIES WITH ESTABLISHED ORGANISATIONS
COMMUNITIES WITH ESTABLISHED ORGANISATIONS
Afghanistan Hazara Akbar Mahmoudi Derby Afghan Group Albania None China Susan Chan (Centre Derbyshire Chinese 01332 342436 Manager) Welfare Association Eritrea None Iran Farhad Food Education 01332 298605 Neghipooran Enterprise Iraq Kurdish None Pakistan Mohammed Riasat Pakistani Community 01332 774055 (Manager) Centre Sri Lanka Tamil None Syria None
34 APPENDIX 2 NEW COMMUNITIES RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE 1 QUESTIONNAIRE 1 – INDIVIDUALS
Interviewee: Interviewer:
Interviewee Name: Date:
Email Address: Contact #:
A. COMMUNITY INFORMATION
1. What country are you from? From which ethnic group? Is there more than one country in the community?
2. How big is your Community in Derby? Nr. males Nr. females Nr. families Nr. singles Nr. under 18 Nr.18 and over Nr. men working Nr. men not working
Nr. women working Nr. women not working Percentages are ok too
3. Who is in your community in Derby? Nr. refugees Nr. current asylum Nr. failed asylum Nr. Non-refugees seekers seekers
Non-refugees include students, those born in the UK, those recruited abroad to work in UK.
4. Are there different groupings/ parts of your community? What are they? Multiple Communities? e.g. Ethnic? Religious? Political? Language? Regional? Other?
5. Are there organisations within your community? What are their names? What do they do? Religious? Cultural? Sports? Political? Women’s? Other?
36 6. Who are the community leaders/ organisers/ activists? Male and Female? For each take Names, Email Addresses, Phone Numbers
7. Are there any regular community gatherings or meeting places? Places of worship? Cultural? Sporting? Educational? Political? Cafés/Restaurants? Other?
B. INTERVIEWEES ORGANISATION (IF APPLICABLE)
1. Organisation/ Group Name:
2. Which parts of the community are involved in your group?
3. How many people are involved in your group? Staff Volunteers Beneficiaries
4. What are the aims of your Group? Religious? Cultural? Educational? Political? Other?
5. What services does your group provide?
C. CHALLENGES FACED BY YOUR COMMUNITY
1. What are the biggest Issues/ Concerns affecting your community? (e.g. Housing, Education, Health, Benefits, Work, Racism, Extremism, Language etc.)
2. Are there specific challenges for Women in your community?
3. Are there specific challenges for Children in your community?
4. Are there specific challenges for Youth in your community?
5. Are there specific challenges for Men in your community?
6. How do refugees/asylum seekers in your community make their needs known? Contact Person? Place? Organisation? Social Media? Other?
37 7. What percentage of your community members do you think stay in Derby once they get leave to remain?
8. What are the main reasons that people in your community leave Derby?
9. Who provides translation help in your community? For each take Names, Email Addresses, Phone Numbers
D. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & VOICE
1. Which organisations does your community connect with? e.g. Education, Health, Housing, Benefits, Asylum, Religious, Refugee orgs, Sports, others?
2. What services or activities do they use that are provided by those organisations?
3. Are there barriers to your community connecting effectively with such groups? Language, computer skills, gender, culture, finance, employability skills, legal status, others?
4. How could such barriers be overcome?
5. How does your Community get its voice heard about collective issues? Voting, MPs, local councils, school governors, inter-community networks, media, other?
6. What training and support does your community most need? Fundraising, language classes, entrepreneur training, vocational training, translation services, other?
7. How does your community fund its activities? e.g. Government, donations, community fundraising, membership, trusts, foreign sources
8. Could you help with arranging a focus group from your community? 4-12 people, are mixed groups ok? where /when? Refreshments can be provided. 38 APPENDIX 3 NEW COMMUNITIES RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE 2 QUESTIONNAIRE 2 – FOCUS GROUPS
Interviewees Interviewer: Date:
Interviewee Names: Contact #: Email Address:
A. COMMUNITY INFORMATION
1. What country are you from? From which ethnic groups? More than one country in the community?
2. How big is your Community in Derby? Nr. males Nr. females Nr. families Nr. singles Nr. under 18 Nr.18 and over Nr. men working Nr. men not working Nr. women working Nr. women not working Percentages are ok too
3. Who is in your community in Derby? Nr. refugees Nr. current asylum Nr. failed asylum Nr. Non-refugees seekers seekers
Non-refugees include students, those born in the UK, those recruited abroad to work in UK.
40 4. Are there different groupings/ parts of your community? What are they? Multiple Communities? e.g. Ethnic? Religious? Political? Language? Regional? Other?
5. Are there organisations within your community? What are their names? What do they do? Religious? Cultural? Sports? Political? Women’s? Other?
6. Who are the community leaders/ organisers/ activists? Male and Female? For each take Names, Email Addresses, Phone Numbers
7. Are there any regular community gatherings/ meeting places? Places of worship? Cultural? Sporting? Educational? Political? Cafés/Restaurants? Other?
B. CHALLENGES FACED BY YOUR COMMUNITY
1. What are the biggest Issues/ Concerns affecting your community? (e.g. Housing, Education, Health, Benefits, Work, Racism, Extremism, Language etc.)
2. Are there specific challenges for Women in your community?
3. Are there specific challenges for Children in your community?
4. Are there specific challenges for Youth in your community?
5. Are there specific challenges for Men in your community?
6. How do refugees/asylum seekers in your community make their needs known? Contact Person? Place? Organisation? Social Media? Other?
7. What percentage of your community members do you think stay in Derby once they get leave to remain?
8. What are the main reasons that people in your community leave Derby?
9. Who provides translation help in your community? For each take Names, Email Addresses, Phone Numbers 41 C. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & VOICE
1. Which organisations does your community connect with? e.g. Education, Health, Housing, Benefits, Asylum, Religious, Refugee orgs, Sports, others?
2. What services or activities do they use that are provided by those organisations?
3. Are there barriers to your community connecting effectively with such groups? Language, computer skills, gender, culture, finance, employability skills, legal status, others?
4. How could such barriers be overcome?
5. How does your Community get its voice heard about collective issues? Voting, MPs, local councils, school governors, inter-community networks, media, other?
6. What training and support does your community most need? Fundraising, language classes, entrepreneur training, vocational training, translation services, other?
7. How does your community fund its activities? e.g. Government, donations, community fundraising, membership, trusts, foreign sources
42 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to acknowledge the COUNCILLOR FAREED HUSSAIN contributions of the following Derby City Council FARHAD NEGHIPOORAN volunteers and staff from Upbeat Food Education Enterprise Communities who helped conduct FERID KEYVAJ the interviews and focus groups New Communities in Social Enterprise without which it would not have been GUY FREEMAN possible to complete this report: British Red Cross HANNAH STIRLAND Derby Refugee Advice Centre Adam Martin, Anthony Adams, David MOHAMMED YAKUB Hutchinson, Einir Cooper, Elliot Cooper, Eve Pakistani Community Centre Moore, Karina Martin, Lesley Gladwell, Ruach PASTOR KK YAP Mitchell, Andrew Jackson, Rachael Cox, Faye Chinese Methodist Church Sherwood and Vivian Melchizedek. Finally I would also like to thank each one Secondly, I would like to thank the following of the other refugees, asylum seekers people for their valuable contributions: and community members, too numerous to mention by name, who also gave up their time to contribute their views to this research.
Jonathan Baillie
ABBREVIATIONS
ACA Afghan Community Secondary Education Association GP General Practitioner BME Black & Minority Ethnic IELTS International English CAB Citizens’ Advice Bureau Language Test System CCD Community Church Derby IPPR Institute for Public Policy DAG Derby Afghan Group Research DRAC Derby Refugee Advice Centre JET Jobs Education Training ESOL English for Speakers of Other NASS National Asylum Support Languages Service FEE Food Education Enterprise NCISE New Communities in Social G4S The name of a global Enterprise integrated security company NHS National Health Service GCSE General Certificate of
43 HELPING STRANGERS BECOME NEIGHBOURS
Upbeat Communities Overdale House 96 Whitaker Road Derby, DE23 6AP www.upbeatcommunities.org