Welcome to Reflections on 8 years experience of receiving resettled refugees at the local level

Based on the experiences of the city of Sheffield and the & Humber region in the UK The city of Sheffield has over 8 years experience of receiving resettled refugees. This publication draws on Sheffield’s expertise to explain the ‘why and how’ of refugee resettlement in Sheffield – how the city got involved, the partnerships that drive the local programme and the benefits refugee resettlement has brought to the city.

If your city or town is thinking about receiving resettled refugees in the future, if there is a national resettlement programme in your country that you could become involved in, or if refugee resettlement is a new topic for your locality, then this publication is for you. Whilst cities and towns across Europe vary greatly in terms of their local environments and the national contexts within which they work, we hope that the experiences of Sheffield will provide you with ideas and tools for refugee resettlement in your locality. Ultimately, we hope it inspires you join Sheffield in welcoming resettled refugees and providing the safety and security within Councillor Julie Dore which they can flourish as new citizens. Leader of the Council,

Foreword Sheffield has a long tradition of providing Since the first group of 66 Liberians arrived a place of safety for those fleeing in the city in 2004, our programme has Whoever saves one life persecution. As the Leader of Sheffield City grown, developed and improved. We have saves the world entire Council, I am proud that the city has, for used the knowledge and experience built the past eight years, been able to make a up over the programme to enhance our small contribution to meeting the needs of practice and processes and improve both Resettlement involves the transfer of refugees through establishing and operating short and long-term integration outcomes refugees from the country in which a successful local refugee resettlement for resettled refugees. I am delighted that they first sought asylum, generally a programme. Our programme has given us we now have the opportunity to share our developing country, to a third country that an opportunity to extend our longstanding learning and experiences with you. has agreed to admit them with a long-term commitment to upholding human rights, or permanent resident status. Resettlement and to express our solidarity with the What are the factors have made our provides protection for refugees whose developing countries that receive and resettlement programme successful? safety is immediately at risk. It is a tool of host the majority of the world’s refugees. The strong partnerships between the city international protection and an expression and our NGO and civil society partners are of international solidarity and burden- Sheffield became the first city in the a major contributing factor to our ongoing sharing amongst states. to welcome resettled success. Together with our partners refugees through the national Gateway and our local communities and The High Commission for Protection Programme in 2004. The neighbourhoods,we enable refugees Refugees (UNCHR) estimates for 2012, that Gateway programme is the UK resettlement to live in safety and security, sharing approximately 172,000 refugees around programme operated by the Home Office opportunities to improve their lives with the world will require resettlement. As in conjunction with UNHCR. To date, 640 others in the city, and contributing as global resettlement needs vastly outstrip resettled refugees from countries including citizens to the growth and development of available resettlement places, only a small Liberia, Congo, Burma, Bhutan, Iraq and Sheffield. We recognise that refugees are a number of these refugees will be able to Somalia have found a new home in our city. diverse group of people, and the support we access resettlement and the possibility offer with and through our partners and of building a new life and future for Producing this publication has enabled us citizens ensures that Sheffield’s economy themselves and their children. to look back on our many successes and can benefit from resettled refugees’ skills, achievements in developing Sheffield’s knowledge and experience. resettlement programme.

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe 01 We are particularly pleased that Sheffield Here in Sheffield, we are delighted to be Europe should collectively be able to offer citizens have warmly welcomed resettled the lead city partner in the International many more resettlement places than it refugees into their neighbourhoods, Catholic Migration Commission’s SHARE currently does. European cities and towns schools, workplaces and homes. Our city’s project, an 18-month programme to build have a vital role to play both in receiving schools and educational facilities offer a European resettlement network of resettled refugees, and in providing refugee children and young people the municipalities and regions. We invite you the welcoming communities and opportunity to achieve their full potential to join us in the SHARE network, and in neighbourhoods that support them to and refugees who arrived in previous the programme of SHARE activities that become active, participating European groups have volunteered to support offers opportunities to visit the cities citizens. As cities and towns in an arrivals in subsequent years. In this way, of Sheffield, Hull and Bradford, and the increasingly global world, it should be our resettled refugees have themselves Greater region in the UK, legacy that we each did our small bit to become a wonderful resource within our learn more about resettlement through provide safety, security and the prospect programme, and an important driving training and information-sharing and of a new life for those refugees in need force in the ongoing improvement of how develop sustainable and meaningful of protection. By coming together we ‘do’ resettlement in Sheffield. relationships with your peer cities and to share our experiences, overcome the towns across Europe. Whether you are in challenges and celebrate our successes, Another key principle that underpins Belgium, France, Poland, Portugal or any we will be able to say that together, we successful resettlement is the investment other European country, we believe that made a real difference. of time, energy and resources in planning learning about our experiences in Sheffield for resettlement well ahead of refugees will support the development of a refugee arriving into our city. Whilst it is up to each resettlement programme in your locality. individual town and city to decide how a We are immensely grateful for the platform resettlement programme will best work for exchange provided to us – and to you! – Councillor Julie Dore for their particular locality and local by the SHARE network. Leader of Sheffield City Council circumstances, what is important to remember is that establishing a local refugee resettlement programme – whilst not without its challenges – is entirely possible, and can bring a range of positive benefits and impacts for local areas and populations.

Welcome to Sheffield The Lord Mayor of Sheffield greets Liberian refugees at the Town Hall Courtesy of Sheffield City Council City Sheffield of Courtesy

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe 02/03 Contents Performance by Rohingya children, Bradford 05 What is resettlement? 06 The Gateway Protection Programme 09 Introducing Sheffield 12 Resettled refugees in the Yorkshire & Humber region 14 Sheffield’s resettlement programme 16 Introducing Fatuma 17 Planning the basics: Pre-arrival coordination for resettlement 21 Arrival and reception: The first week in Sheffield 23 Introducing Hull 24 Introducing Eman and Michael 25 Laying the foundations for integration: The first 12 months 29 Introducing Bradford 30 Introducing Abdul and Mohammed 31 Supporting refugee resettlement: A role for the media 32 Beyond 12 months: The journey

to citizenship Bradford Association, Housing Horton of Courtesy

Welcome to Sheffield What is refugee The resettlement process Group briefing, Sheffield resettlement? The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) is the international agency mandated to protect refugees and look for durable solutions. UNHCR identifies refugees in need of resettlement, What is resettlement? and proposes that governments accept Resettlement is one of three durable them for resettlement in their countries. solutions available to refugees, alongside State participation in resettlement is repatriation and local integration in the voluntary, and it is national governments country of asylum. Resettlement involves that decide which of the refugees referred Council City Sheffield of Courtesy the selection and transfer of refugees to them will be offered permanent places from a state in which they have sought of residence in their countries. Who is resettled? protection to a third country that admits Of the 10.5 million refugees of concern them – as refugees – with a long-term or The majority of refugees accepted for to UNHCR in the world, just 1% are permanent residence status. Resettlement resettlement receive information about submitted for resettlement. Aside from generally carries with it the possibility for their resettlement country before they refugees fleeing persecution, UNHCR also refugees to become naturalised citizens of travel, through organised briefings and/ refers vulnerable refugees with specific that country in the future. or printed information. This is known as needs for resettlement. pre-departure cultural orientation. Local Why resettlement? authorities, NGOs and other organisations Resettlement is a tool of international working with resettled refugees in protection for individual refugees whose resettlement countries continue this life, liberty, safety, health or other process of orientation in local communities fundamental rights are at risk in the after the refugees’ arrival. country where they have sought refuge, and an expression of international solidarity with the developing countries that host the majority of the world’s refugees.

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe 04/05 The Gateway Protection The Gateway Protection Programme is In the seven years since the Gateway Programme operated by the Home Office, a UK central Protection Programme was established, government department, and the United resettlement programmes have operated The UK’s refugee Nations High Commission for Refugees in fifteen UK local authority areas. Local resettlement programme (UNHCR). UNHCR refers refugees assessed authority participation in resettlement is as in need of resettlement to the Home voluntary, and it is UK local authorities Office. After receiving UNHCR’s referrals, that determine how many resettled Rohingya students, Bradford the Home Office then conducts missions refugees they would like to receive into to countries of first asylum to interview their area every year. referred refugees and selects those it accepts for resettlement in the UK. To date, Local authorities were initially hesitant the Home Office has conducted missions to begin receiving groups of what were to a wide range of countries, including often very vulnerable refugees, many of Bangladesh, Guinea and Thailand. During whom had lived in highly insecure and 2004-12, over 2000 refugees were resettled challenging circumstances for long periods. to the UK. Those that did found the programme to be an extremely positive experience, and When resettled refugees arrive into the many repeated their engagement over a

Courtesy of Horton Housing Association, Bradford Association, Housing Horton of Courtesy UK, they are immediately granted refugee number of years. status with permanent residency, with The UK’s refugee resettlement programme the right to apply for immediate family On arrival, resettled refugees are housed – the Gateway Protection Programme – members to join them in the UK. The directly in local communities. The first was established in 2004. The programme family reunification process can be long group of refugees resettled to the UK via is entirely separate from the UK’s asylum and complex, and many refugees spend a the Gateway Protection Programme were system and programmes for refugees number of years in the UK before being 66 Liberians, who arrived into Sheffield granted status in the UK via the asylum reunited with their family. Resettled from Guinea in March 2004. process. Via the Gateway programme, the refugees can apply for UK citizenship for UK government is committed to receiving themselves and their dependants after a 750 resettled refugees every year. period of five years residency in the UK.

Welcome to Sheffield Resettled refugees since 2004:

Yorkshire & Humberside 1465

Greater Manchester 1443

NORTH YORKSHIRE

York HUMBERSIDE

Leeds Bradford Hull

WEST YORKSHIRE

Bolton Scunthorpe Manchester

Sheffield

Chesterfield

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe 06/07 The Gateway Protection Programme is a In 2011, the Home Office rationalised the Socialising in Sheffield one-year programme funded by the UK UK’s resettlement programme. Whilst the central government Home Office and the number of refugees resettled to the UK European Refugee Fund (ERF). The ERF remains unchanged at 750 per year, the is a European Commission funding number of towns and cities receiving programme that supports activities resettled refugees has reduced. Following targeted at refugees, including refugee a competitive tendering process in 2011, resettlement 1. In the ERF multiannual refugees resettled to the UK are received by programme for 2008-2013, the ERF supports one of the three UK Gateway programmes national governments’ resettlement – in Sheffield and Hull, in Bradford and Courtesy of the British Refugee British the of Courtesy activities and provides also a lump sum of in the Greater Manchester region. The €4000 for specific categories of vulnerable Sheffield resettlement partnership consists Asylum in the UK refugees. A similar, more flexible of two local authorities – Sheffield and Hull The UK receives approximately mechanism is under discussion for the – and a national NGO, the British Refugee 23,000 applications for asylum every period 2014-202. Council. Together, this partnership receives year. The Home Office funds a national 180 resettled refugees each year. Another system for the distribution of asylum Funding for the Gateway Protection UK programme is operated by Horton seekers known as the ‘dispersal Programme provides a complete package Housing, a registered social landlord that programme’, within which housing and of support for resettled refugees in the resettles 100 refugees per year in the city support services for asylum seekers are 12 months after their arrival, including of Bradford. The third and largest UK provided in towns and cities across the specialist integration support, provision of resettlement programme is operated by UK. Local authorities agree to receive accommodation, and access to education the national NGO and local dispersed asylum seekers in their areas, and healthcare. From the moment of authorities in the Greater Manchester and often act as housing providers for arrival in the UK, resettled refugees are region. This partnership receives 470 the programme. At December 2011, entitled to public assistance to meet resettled refugees in the region every year. 23,485 asylum seekers and their housing rental costs. After the initial Each of the organisations within the three dependants were living in dispersal 12 months, service provision for resettled partnerships has an individual grant accommodation, 421 of whom were refugees is mainstreamed into service and agreement with both the Home Office resident in Sheffield. welfare provision for the wider population. and the ERF.

Footnotes are on the inside back cover

Welcome to Sheffield Introducing… Sheffield Cathedral Sheffield

Sheffield is the second largest city in the Yorkshire and Humber region. Approximately 550,000 people live in the city, a figure that is projected to increase to around 600,000 by 2020. Three factors have contributed to this sustained and continuing increase in Sheffield’s population – the growing numbers of young people moving to the city as university students or to pursue opportunities for employment, the continued increase in the city’s birth rate and longer life expectancy.

Sheffield is an increasingly diverse city, both ethnically and culturally, in which around 17% of current residents identify themselves as being from a minority ethnic background. The city is home to both long-standing, established migrant communities and newer communities that have emerged since 2001, when asylum seekers began to arrive into the city via the national dispersal programme. Courtesy of Sheffield City Council City Sheffield of Courtesy

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe 08/09 Peace Gardens, Sheffield Sheffield’s economy was historically built on steel, an industry that provided the majority of employment in the city for many years and led to Sheffield becoming known as the ‘Steel City’. Similarly to many other UK manufacturing towns and cities, Sheffield’s economy was severely affected by the steep industrial decline of the 1980s and early 1990s, during which approximately one quarter of all jobs in the city ceased to exist.

Since the mid-1990s, however, Sheffield’s economy has been revitalised by the rapid growth of the service sector in the city, evidenced by the 22% increase in jobs between 1995 and 2008. Currently, around 240,000 people work in Sheffield in approximately 20,000 businesses, the vast majority in the service sector. As in other localities across Europe, the current economic crisis has created severe economic and financial challenges for the city.

Approximately 58,500 students attend Sheffield’s two universities. Many students remain in Sheffield after completing their education, and the city’s economy benefits from the 27.7% of the population who are educated to university level. Courtesy of Sheffield City Council City Sheffield of Courtesy

Welcome to Sheffield Additionally, the proportion of Sheffield In 2007, and with the support of Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield residents with no educational qualifications City Council, Sheffield became the UK’s first has recently fallen – from 16% in 2008 to 12.4% official City of Sanctuary. Since then, 18 other in 2009 – a comparable level to other UK cities. UK towns and cities have followed Sheffield’s example in providing a home for local Since the establishment of the UK’s national sanctuary movements. asylum dispersal programme eleven ago years, the presence of asylum seekers and refugees The expertise developed via the dispersal in Sheffield has enabled the city administration programme and the strong existing and its partners to develop extensive expertise partnerships with NGOs working in the city in working with these groups. The city is were instrumental in the city’s 2004 decision Council City Sheffield of Courtesy subsequently home to a range of specialist to receive resettled refugees. This decision Yorkshire & Humber Region housing, health and educational services for was taken on behalf of the city by a cross- Yorkshire & Humber is one of nine English migrant communities. A number of voluntary party group of local politicians overseeing regions. It has a population of just over organisations have also developed, through local refugee issues, who endorsed the formal 5m people and is home to seven major which Sheffield citizens extend friendship partnerships that continue to underpin the UK cities, including Sheffield, Bradford and support for newcomers to the city via high-quality resettlement programme offered and Hull. Regional government in the initiatives such as conversation clubs, by the city today. This strong partnership UK has been subject to many changes. befriending schemes and other social activities. approach to ‘doing’ resettlement – In contrast to many other European incorporating the expertise provided by the countries, the UK currently has no formal, The city’s identity as a place of refuge and key NGO integration support partner and the regional domestic government. However, security for those seeking sanctuary was strong community infrastructure in the city – many local authorities collaborate on cemented by the creation of the national City will continue to underpin resettlement regional economic and developmental of Sanctuary movement in Sheffield in 2005. activities in Sheffield in the coming years. priorities and initiatives, and services City of Sanctuary aims to build a culture of such as transport and health are often hospitality for people seeking sanctuary in delivered at a regional level. The Yorkshire the UK, by creating a network of towns and & Humber region is coterminous with cities throughout the country that welcome the European constituency of the same newcomers as full citizens and community name, and has six representatives in members. the European Parliament.

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe 10/11 Resettled refugees Who and why? in the Yorkshire and Bhutanese Iraqi Cause of flight: Cause of flight: Humber region State persecution and forced Conflict and ongoing insecurity expulsion of minorities Country of asylum: Country of asylum: Syria and Jordan Nepal Refugee situation: Prior to beginning their resettlement Refugee situation: 4-8 years in urban areas journey, many refugees will have spent 15-20 years in refugee camps long periods in the country in which they Liberian Burmese and Karen Cause of flight: first sought asylum, often living in insecure Cause of flight: 2 civil wars (1989-97 circumstances and struggling to meet State persecution of minority and 1999-2003) basic needs. groups and political activists Country of asylum: in Myanmar Guinea and Sierra Leone Country of asylum: Refugee situation: Approximately two-thirds of the world’s Thailand 10 years in refugee camps refugees currently of concern to UNHCR Refugee situation: Up to 25 years in refugee camps Rohingya are resident in refugee camps or informal Cause of flight: settlements. The remainder live in urban Congolese State persecution of minority situations in cities in a country of asylum. Cause of flight: groups in Myanmar Civil war (1998-2003); ongoing Country of asylum: Some resettled refugee children will never political instability and violence Bangladesh have seen their family’s home country, Country of asylum: Refugee situation: having been born in exile. Uganda 15-20 years in refugee camps Refugee situation: 10-15 in camps/urban areas Somali Since 2004, resettled refugees received Cause of flight: by the towns and cities of the Yorkshire Ethiopian Conflict and ongoing insecurity Cause of flight: Country of asylum: and Humber region have come from a State persecution of Kenya wide range of countries, ethnicities and minority groups Refugee situation: refugee situations. Country of asylum: Up to 20 years in refugee camps Kenya (many via Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen) Refugee situation: Long-term residency in refugee camps

Welcome to Sheffield Numbers

Sheffield 2006 5 66 2007 51 2008 77 2009 88 2010 134 2011 36 83 2012 64 36 Total 640

Bradford 2008 34 2009 8 108 2010 48 2011 34 2012 32 38 Total 302

Hull 2007 61 2008 88 2009 87 2010 76 2011 57 84 2012 70 Total 523

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe 12/13 Sheffield’s From 2010, the local authority became To ensure strategic oversight and overall resettlement operationally involved in the programme management of the Sheffield-Hull for the first time, when it assumed resettlement programme, senior staff from programme responsibility for organising housing for the two local authorities and the NGO refugees resettled in the city. In 2011, the partner Refugee Council meet on a role of the local authority again expanded quarterly basis as a regional Resettlement Sheffield has received a total of 640 when the city of Sheffield led a successful Partnership Group. resettled refugees since the programme proposal to the Home Office to deliver the began in 2004. During 2011-14, a further 2011-14 resettlement programme in both Local resettlement stakeholder groups – 270 resettled refugees – 90 per year – Sheffield and Hull. made up of the core partner organisations will be received by the city. The central involved in the resettlement programme government Home Office determines the Within the Sheffield-Hull resettlement and occasional member organisations nationalities and family composition of the partnership, and for the first 12 months whose city remit includes resettled refugees, and works with the city to agree of the programme, Refugee Council refugees – oversee the operational delivery the size of the groups and the frequency provides resettled refugees with specialist of the programme in each city. of their arrival into the city. All resettled integration support and Hull and Sheffield refugees arriving into Sheffield will have local authorities organise and manage attended some pre-departure cultural housing. The Home Office identifies orientation sessions in the country of which groups of refugees selected for first asylum, focused on providing basic resettlement to the UK will be received information about the UK and their by each programme, and communicates future life in the country. with the Sheffield-Hull partnership to ensure factors such as existing refugee Since 2004, the role of the local authority populations, appropriate language support within the programme has changed and the capacity of each city to integrate significantly. Until 2010, the local authority specific refugee groups are considered maintained political oversight over within the allocation process. resettlement in the city, whilst operational delivery of the programme was led by the NGO partner, the British Refugee Council.

Welcome to Sheffield Core group members and their roles: Community festival

Sheffield City Council • Finding and managing housing • Placing resettled children and young people in schools • Providing classroom-based support for resettled children and young people • Delivering out-of-school programmes and activities (parents and children)

British Refugee Council • Planning for arrival and reception – transport and interpreting • Providing reception services and a 12-month integration support programme for all resettled refugees

Mulberry Practice (NHS) • Initial health screenings and immediately necessary treatment • Referring refugees to their local primary healthcare services after arrival

The group also includes occasional representation from Capita, the local agency responsible for administering financial assistance for housing costs, and JobCentre Plus (Sheffield), the UK’s employment advice and support service.

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe 14/15 Introducing… The family like the area where they live – At the end of her first year in the UK, Fatuma they are close to halal shops and the Somali says: ‘Today I am working, fully settled and Fatuma mosque, and there are several Somali families feel as if I was born here. I have access to living nearby with whom they have become everything, to all services, and I know all my friends. This informal support has helped rights. I understand the right and wrong way them to feel settled. The family attended to do things, and all this happened through the Refugee Council drop-in advice service, the invaluable support provided by our and learned about UK culture, systems and integration worker. services through the group briefings that took place there. I urge anyone who is a newly resettled refugee in the UK to listen to the advice of Fatuma recalls the importance of Refugee their support workers. I also urge them to ask Council making use of interpreters speaking their support workers for help, because they Fatuma is a 22-year old woman from Somalia. her Somali dialect. This was essential, are the experts. Even though there are some She was born in a town on the Kenya-Somalia particularly at first, because of the complex other people in the community who give border as her parents were fleeing from information about UK systems that she advice, this is not as reliable. I am very Somalia to Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya. needed to take in. grateful to be in Sheffield – people are Fatuma spent her entire childhood in the friendly, I like the city and I want to stay refugee camp. After her arrival, Fatuma attended language here for a long time’. classes at an adult education college in In November 2010, when Fatuma was 20 years Sheffield, and her English has quickly improved. old, she was resettled to Sheffield together Her long-term goal is to become a doctor, but with her parents, four brothers and sister-in- she was keen to work and gain experience while law. Being young adults, Fatuma and one of she focused on improving her English. Fatuma her brothers moved to independent started work as a volunteer residential care accommodation very close to their parents worker with elderly people soon after her and other siblings. Fatuma feels that being arrival into Sheffield. In September 2011, she resettled with family members was crucial to was offered a job by the same organisation their integration. She has been able to support and has been working there ever since. her parents, which has been very important, as they do not speak good English.

Welcome to Sheffield Planning the basics: 6 weeks before arrival 3-4 weeks before arrival Pre-arrival coordination Information about resettled refugees 2nd planning meeting: for resettlement provided by Home Office, including: • Local authority – confirms final • family & household composition housing and school placements for • age all resettled children In Sheffield, the regular arrival of small • gender • Mulberry Practice – confirms pre-arrival groups of resettled refugees into the city • health status registration with healthcare services means planning for resettlement is an • language(s) spoken local to refugees’ new housing is ongoing process, with defined roles underway and responsibilities and a collective, Refugee Council begins: shared expertise amongst the member • researching the background of the 2 weeks before arrival organisations of the local resettlement arrival group Refugee Council invites resettlement stakeholder group. • recruiting interpreters partners and other city stakeholders to a • establishing links with local community presentation about the culture and Since 2004, the Sheffield planning associations that share the ethnicity history of the refugees that are due to approach has continually responded to and/or language of the new client group arrive into the city the changing political, economic and social context of the city. In this manner, the local 5 weeks before arrival 1-2 weeks before arrival authority and its partners have developed 1st planning meeting: Final planning meeting: an approach that works specifically for the All partners report their pre-arrival • Refugee Council – final arrivals day city of Sheffield. Other UK resettlement planning progress: timetable and week 1 reception cities and towns have developed their own • Local authority – shares confirmed schedule specific local approaches to planning for addresses for housing resettlement, based on local circumstances • Mulberry Practice – highlight health and needs. needs that should be taken account of in pre-arrival planning The Sheffield resettlement stakeholder • Refugee Council – update on availability group follows an established planning of interpreters and Week 1 reception cycle for each resettlement arrival. calendar

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe 16/17 Interpreters Housing School education Resettled refugees often speak a minority On arrival in the UK, resettled refugees In the UK, school education is compulsory language not widely present in Sheffield are housed directly in municipalities for all children aged 5-16 years, and Refugee Council works closely with as independent tenants of rented statutory nursery education is available migrant and refugee community accommodation, and entitlement to for those aged 3-5 years. Generally, children organisations in the city and surrounding financial assistance for rental costs begins will attend the school closest to their home. region, including those formed by at the moment of arrival in the UK. In some cases, through choice or where a previously resettled refugees, to recruit local school is full, children may travel to appropriately skilled individuals as Locating housing for resettled refugees is another school within Sheffield. interpreters for new refugee groups. the most crucial aspect of the resettlement planning process, and placement The school education strand of the Interpreters are trained in interview decisions are significantly influenced by Sheffield resettlement programme is skills, confidentiality and core technical the changing capacity of health and the responsibility of the local authority’s vocabulary relating to employment, health educational services in the city. Proximity mainstream service for children and young and housing. Partners in the resettlement to other refugee and migrant communities, people. The education service provides stakeholder group are able to ‘hire’ the places of worship and cultural amenities – up-to-date information on available school interpreters recruited by Refugee Council such as shops selling specific foods – places within the city so that housing as needed for their work with the resettled are also considered within the can be obtained nearby, and conducts refugees, and Refugee Council provides a placement process. pre-arrival briefings for receiving schools central booking and coordinating function on the incoming refugee group. Resettled for the ‘hire’ system. In Sheffield, the majority of available children and young people are registered at rental accommodation is in the private their new school two weeks ahead of their sector, and it is via this route that the arrival into Sheffield so that they can start local authority subsequently obtains the school as soon as possible after arrival. majority of accommodation for resettled refugees. It has developed long-standing relationships with a select group of private landlords across the city that ensure accommodation is of a high standard and landlords have become receptive to the needs of their new refugee tenants.

Welcome to Sheffield Classroom assistant, Bradford Health The Mulberry Practice is a specialist In the UK, English language tuition for medical practice that provides primary those from overseas is known as ESOL healthcare services to both asylum seekers (English for Speakers of other Languages), and resettled refugees in Sheffield. Before and is provided by a wide range of statutory, refugees arrive, the practice schedules voluntary and other community-based individual health assessments and registers organisations. There is no specific ESOL all those due to arrive with the healthcare tuition provided as a core element of centre nearest to their allocated housing. the Gateway programme, and resettled refugees instead access mainstream ESOL

Courtesy of Horton Housing Association, Bradford Association, Housing Horton of Courtesy Long periods spent in camps or insecure provision together with other newcomers situations can mean resettled refugees in the UK. Rohingya child, Bradford arrive with particular healthcare needs, some of which may require urgent Since ESOL demand generally outstrips attention. Refugees’ health has already supply in the UK, it can be challenging to been assessed in the country of asylum to obtain an ESOL place for resettled refugees. ensure that they are well enough to travel In the 5-6 weeks before arrival, Refugee to the UK. The Home Office provides the Council liaises with ESOL providers in the medical reports to the Mulberry Practice city to place adult resettled refugees in 1-2 weeks prior to arrival – at this stage, ESOL classes. During the same period, the the practice also begins planning for any Home Office provides details of adult immediate healthcare needs that may be resettled refugees to the Sheffield office of

Courtesy of Horton Housing Association, Bradford Association, Housing Horton of Courtesy present in the group on arrival. JobCentre Plus (JCP), the national service that provides employment advice, support Vocational training and language-learning and access to vocational training. Some resettled refugees will arrive into Sheffield with basic English language skills, whilst others will have no knowledge of the language. Almost all will require some level of formal language training to improve their English.

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe 18/19 Cycling safety for resettled children, Hull Top tips Planning the basics • Ensure regular contact with your national government – keep informed about the groups they plan to resettle during the coming year • Find out as much as you can, as early as you can, about the groups of refugees due to come to your locality • Plan the availability of interpreters speaking the refugees’ first language throughout the arrival and reception phase • Locate housing for resettled refugees in areas where health services and schools have sufficient capacity and expertise • Brief local stakeholders on refugee resettlement and the background and needs of the refugee due to arrive • Put in place a detailed schedule for the first week after arrival Courtesy of Hull City Council City Hull of Courtesy

Welcome to Sheffield Arrival & reception: Socialising in Sheffield Even at this early stage, support is designed The first week to encourage refugees to take control of their own affairs wherever possible. Great in Sheffield emphasis is placed on communicating the idea that the programme will give refugees as much support as possible, but that they After leaving the country of asylum in are recognised as independent and adult which they may have stayed for many people with varying levels of need. Of key years, resettled refugees will often importance is the ability to respond to undertake long and arduous journeys to urgent needs within this initial period and reach Sheffield. Although excited to start Council Refugee British the of Courtesy to reassure refugees about the ways in their new lives, they will arrive tired and which complicated problems will be disoriented, into a strange and unfamiliar Refugee Council integration support staff addressed over the coming months. context in which they are confronted with work to build relationships of trust with new weather, a new language, potentially resettled refugees, and to find ways to In Sheffield, the first week after arrival is unusual housing and a whole host of deliver information and support that is highly planned, and designed to ensure the administrative tasks that must be appropriate to their individual needs. newly arrived refugees receive the support completed shortly after their arrival. It is also crucial that the initial reception and information they need, both to adapt phase begins the process of managing the to their new environment and to access the The overall aim of the Gateway Protection sometimes unrealistic expectations that services and assistance that will facilitate Programme reception process is to ensure resettled refugees may have about their their long-term settlement in the UK. that refugees quickly feel confident in their life in the UK. ability to operate independently and safely The chart on the following page shows a within Sheffield, and begin to achieve a The approach during the initial reception typical schedule for the first week after good understanding of the agencies that phase is to provide information gradually, resettled refugees are received by the city. will be working with them over the year. taking account of the fact that many of the Support for refugees during the reception structures and agencies that the resettled process is led by Refugee Council, the refugee will come into contact with are specialist NGO integration support entirely new to them. As such, the roles of provider. the different agencies are outlined on a number of different occasions.

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe 20/21 Top tips Day 1: Arrival Day 3 Arrival and reception • Meet and greet at airport • Refugee Council follow up any urgent • Welcome resettled refugees directly • Accompanied transport to Sheffield issues with individual refugees at the airport • Introductory briefing on programme • Provide key information gradually, and (hot food provided) Day 4 repeat at different points in the • Refugees receive financial allowance • Refugees attend employment reception phase for first 3 weeks in Sheffield assessments at Sheffield office of • Communicate to refugees what they • Journey to allocated accommodation JobCentre Plus (accompanied can expect from the local resettlement • Introduction to housing by local appointments) programme and what is expected of them authority housing staff – (using cooker, • Make time in the reception schedule heating and hot water systems) Day 5 for refugees to visit one another in • Refugees provided with emergency Morning Welcome Meeting – their new homes contact telephone numbers for housing Refugee Council office in Sheffield • Introduce refugees to key local service issues and translated information • Refugees receive full introduction to the providers, local transport systems and about the resettlement programme programme and what they can expect their immediate local area and city over the first 12 months or town centre during the first week Day 2 • Local authority introduces their housing after arrival • Refugees met at houses by Refugee management service Council staff and shown around the area • Resettled refugees visit one another’s • Accompanied orientation visit to homes and/or attend further , including accompanied orientation visit to introduction to local transport systems Sheffield city centre • Individual health assessments at the Mulberry Practice (accompanied appointment) • Refugees sign tenancy agreements with landlord/housing provider • Refugees register for housing assistance at Sheffield office of Capita

Welcome to Sheffield Introducing… From 1840, over 3 million mainly Baltic migrants Refugee Week celebrations, Hull fleeing persecution travelled through Hull on Hull their way to the United States. Several Hull charities based in the Posterngate area of the city supported the migrants and, 160 years later in 2001, Posterngate again became a focus for migrants when the local authority chose to base its asylum and refugee service there.

Kingston upon Hull, usually referred to simply This new service was established to support

as ‘Hull’, is a city of just less than 264,000 asylum seekers received by the city via the Council City Hull of Courtesy people located in the national asylum dispersal programme that in the UK. Hull is a port city, located where the began in 2001. Hull City Council took the Hull’s involvement in receiving asylum River Hull meets the Humber Estuary, 25 miles decision to receive dispersed asylum seekers seekers and resettled refugees has led to the inland from the North Sea. in response to the city’s declining population development of a flourishing voluntary sector. and the resultant deterioration in the quality Several community-based organisations Hull’s economy historically centred around of housing in some areas of the city. The City offer services and initiatives to encourage seafaring, trade and fishing. Although the Council considered that participating in the integration and promote social cohesion, fishing industry began to decline from the 1970s, dispersal programme offered opportunities to including a library project to promote reading the city’s port handles millions of tonnes of boost the city’s population, and revitalise and in different languages, and groups running freight every year. The retail and leisure sectors reinvigorate specific areas of the city. friendship clubs and English classes. have also boosted the city’s employment market, whilst the 23,000 students who attend In 2006, Hull City Council took the opportunity A local City of Sanctuary movement was Hull University contribute to the city’s vibrant to build on the expertise developed through launched in Hull in 2010, which now works to cultural and social life. After a period in which receiving asylum seekers by becoming make the city a place of safety and welcome the city’s population markedly declined – by involved in the Gateway Protection Programme. for newcomers. Hull’s continuing involvement 5.3% during the period 1991-2001 – numbers The local authority now works in partnership in the Gateway Protection Programme offers resident in Hull have now stabilised. Hull’s with Sheffield City Council and NGO partner an opportunity for the city to continue its location means it has always been a conduit Refugee Council to provide housing and a historical commitment to maintaining and for migrants travelling into and out of the UK. 12-month programme of integration support promoting human rights, for the next for refugees resettled to the city. generation and into the future.

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe 22/23 Introducing… Eman says ‘Welcome and arrival is a very In 2006, Michel and his wife were resettled to important phase in resettlement, and it Hull. Michel says, ‘Before leaving Zambia, Eman & Michel is crucial that resettled refugees are I was told that I would live in a peaceful introduced to their neighbours. Schools place with no discrimination because I’m a should provide teachers that speak the refugee. I was worried about language, but children’s language or volunteers to support was told I’d have a project worker to help me them in the first few weeks at school. In the get to places, find college to learn English, first year of my resettlement I didn’t how to live in houses with toilets inside them integrate at all because I was scared of the and so on. This was very reassuring. host community and felt they were scared of me. This is the reason why I began As I stepped off the plane I could just smell volunteering – because I needed to learn safety. My second thought was the weather! the ways of my host community as well as It was VERY cold. I was scared of speaking Before 2007, Eman Eqab was working for a make new friends. Now, I want a very good to people in case I said something that was bank in Baghdad. She was widowed shortly future for my son. I want him to be part of the offensive. I was even scared to talk to my after the birth of her son. In 2007, her son community, but also to have good behaviour neighbours. was involved in an attempted kidnap outside to reflect his background. I want him to his school. Eman and her son fled to Jordan, succeed in his studies and to be happy’. I’ve completed a lot of training courses so where they were reliant on financial support that my skills can be recognised and used from relatives. Michel Mushota is 40 years old, and originally here. For cities considering resettlement, from the Congo. He has a wife and 4 children. I would say providing English language In Jordan, Eman was identified by UNHCR as After fleeing civil war for a second time in 1998, tuition is the most important thing. Then a ‘Woman at Risk’ who could no longer remain Michael met his wife in Mporokoso refugee provide training so that people can adapt in Jordan safely. In 2008, when Eman was 49 camp in Zambia. Life in the camp was very their skills to the local job market, and have years old, she and her son were resettled to difficult, and they were forced to relocate to an organisation like the Refugee Council Hull. After their arrival, Eman studied English Kara refugee camp, also in Zambia. that can really make people feel welcome. and began volunteering with a local drop-in centre for homeless asylum seekers. Since Despite being in Zambia legally, Michel was My hope for the future is to have a secure 2009, Eman has been working part-time arrested on a number of occasions when he job in a UK company. For my children and and volunteering with the Refugee Council left to look for work. The ongoing war in Congo family, I just want them to be safe, with a resettlement team. meant they could not return there. bright future’.

Welcome to Sheffield Laying the foundations Drop-in advice, Bradford for integration: The first 12 months

Each resettled refugee is different, and will arrive into Sheffield with different needs, vulnerabilities, skills and aspirations. Whilst all resettled refugees have the capacity to become fully participating and contributing Sheffield citizens, many will make only partial progress toward this status within the first year of residency in the UK. Within the Gateway integration support programme, Refugee Council aims to provide flexible support and interventions that meet the requirements of each individual refugee, with the overall aim of providing them with the tools, skills and knowledge to facilitate their long-term integration beyond the first year of residence in the city.

To open up integration opportunities for resettled refugees within the first 12 months, Refugee Council draws on the knowledge and expertise of previously resettled refugees, volunteers from host communities, and voluntary and statutory stakeholder organisations in Sheffield. Bradford Association, Housing Horton of Courtesy

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe 24/25 The aim of the programme after 12 months Personal Integration Plans The initial PIP assessment also marks the is that resettled refugees are able to access The Personal Integration Plan (PIP) is the beginning of the process of connecting mainstream services and participate to central tool for the delivery of specialist resettled refugees with existing refugee some degree in their local communities, integration support for refugees. During and migrant community organisations and that they have developed links – the second week after arrival, Refugee in the city that share their ethnicity formally or informally – within the Council’s integration support staff conduct and/or language. Sheffield community. initial assessments with each resettled refugee, and the PIP is completed during Advice and support Refugee Council’s support services are the first few weeks. During the first 3-4 weeks, refugees will delivered in 3 key phases: sometimes be visited in their own homes, The PIP determines specific areas of but are also encouraged to attend twice- interest or concern with which refugees weekly drop-in advice services as issues Months 1-3 require support, and enables individual arise. Home visits will only take place in • High level of support and assistance refugees to give voice to their wishes. exceptional circumstances after the first to access services It also begins a dialogue between refugees month. All resettled refugees are invited and Refugee Council staff about the best to a personal appointment at least once a Months 4-9 ways to progress during the following month to discuss how they are progressing. • Reduced levels of direct support months. Key areas of analysis in the • Encouragement and assistance to PIP are housing, income and finance, During the first 3 months, Refugee Council live independently education and training, health and provides refugees with intensive support wellbeing, employment and volunteering. focused on meeting essential needs and Months 10-12 The PIP isolates areas of concern that merit developing an understanding of the key • Low level of support more intensive work, and Refugee Council relationships relating to their life in • Preparation for end of the Gateway staff are highly involved with guiding and Sheffield. Within the first 3 months, integration support programme suggesting ideas and actions to refugees refugees can attend a series of weekly at this stage. structured group briefings on important areas of information about life in the UK, including employment, welfare benefits, child protection and domestic violence.

Welcome to Sheffield Over the next 6 months, resettled refugees Building bridges: volunteering and Volunteer roles include introducing are still offered regular appointments to community development refugees to recreational activities, discuss their progress, but the expectation For resettled refugees, the process of providing opportunities to practice that they will now require far less support settling into a new society and local area conversational English and mentoring to undertake essential tasks and resolve in which they have no pre-existing refugee young people. Gateway volunteers any difficulties is clearly communicated. connections or relationships can be also travel to schools and community By this stage, most of the resettled refugees extremely challenging. Opportunities for venues to talk about refugees and are making good progress, which enables resettled refugees to build relationships resettlement, often accompanied by resources to be targeted toward intensive with those from the local community previously resettled refugees. support for those finding it harder to live can help them to develop social networks independently. Typical areas where greater outside of their immediate community and To strengthen refugee communities assistance is required might include enhance their understanding of UK culture themselves, Refugee Council provides household budgeting and managing the and values. Local citizens can also enhance a dedicated community development payment of bills. One of the most common resettlement programmes by using their service. The aim of the service is to allow areas for which resettled refugees request expertise and experience to assist resettled resettled refugees to maintain links to assistance is applying for family refugees with specific areas of interest or their own culture and heritage, whilst also reunification. need and – in doing so – can learn more creating and developing sustainable links about the new citizens that have joined to the Sheffield community. The final 3 months of the programme are them in their locality. oriented toward reducing support ahead Refugee Council has supported resettled of the end of the Gateway support In Sheffield, Refugee Council recruits and refugees to develop specific projects, such programme. Individual appointments trains volunteers from the local population as starting a football team and a women’s each month are no longer routinely offered, to act in defined roles and positions within support group, and to hold events to and refugees are asked to contact Refugee the Gateway programme. Volunteers celebrate cultural, national and religious Council to arrange an appointment only are recruited directly from amongst occasions. Some resettled refugees in if they require assistance. Refugees with students at Sheffield’s two universities Sheffield have also been supported to form significant ongoing needs will continue and previously resettled refugees, and from independent community associations, to be monitored by staff. All refugees the general public via the organisation’s which have enabled the views and continue to have access to the drop-in website, and seven individuals currently interests of resettled refugees to be service over the final 3 months, and can offer their time within the local represented within local debates make individual appointments if they wish. resettlement programme. and dialogues.

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe 26/27 Education Rohingya women in the Yorkshire Dales Top tips Resettled refugee families with children The first 12 months arriving into Sheffield are generally • Talk to resettled refugees about their unfamiliar with the UK educational aspirations for resettlement and where system, and may speak little or no English. they anticipate needing support Parents can therefore find it challenging • Tailor support to meet the individual to engage with their children’s schooling needs of resettled refugees – and support them in their education. use individual integration plans Additionally, both refugee children and co-developed with refugees their parents may have little or no • Manage refugee expectations – experience of formal education and/or Bradford Association, Housing Horton of Courtesy provide honest and realistic advice and have extremely high expectations about information about life in the resettlement schooling in the UK. Within the first 12 months, the Gateway country programme supports schools receiving • Promote self-reliance and independence To support both families and schools, the resettled refugee pupils to employ throughout service delivery for resettled local authority children’s service employs language-specific teaching assistants who refugees a part-time education coordinator and support resettled children to settle into • Make use of previously resettled refugees family school liaison officer within the school and improve their English language and volunteers from the wider local Gateway programme. In the second week skills. A number of previously resettled population in the delivery of local after arrival, they meet with refugee refugees have been recruited to these resettlement programmes parents to explain the UK educational positions as the programme has system and school admission process, and progressed in the city. advise them about the school that their children will be attending.

Welcome to Sheffield Introducing… The positive experiences of Bradford in Rohingya refugees relaxing, Bradford receiving asylum seekers, and the local Bradford expertise and skills that developed in the city as a result, led directly to the 2008 decision to receive resettled refugees.

Bradford’s involvement in the Gateway Protection Programme has demonstrated how collaborative working and effective The is located at the foot of partnerships between different agencies

the Pennine mountain range in . working in the city can deliver a successful Bradford Association, Housing Horton of Courtesy With a population of just over 512,000, it is the local resettlement programme. A partnership fourth largest metropolitan district in , of Bradford City Council, statutory health and The 12-month integration support programme and the fifth largest in the UK. Bradford is a education services and Horton Housing ensures that resettled refugees are equipped diverse and cosmopolitan city, in which 28% Association – a specialist local housing and with the necessary skills and capacity to live, of residents identify themselves as being from support organisation – has to date successfully work and participate in the life of the city a minority ethnic background. resettled 302 refugees. The majority are beyond the initial support period and for many Rohingya refugees originally from Burma but years to come. Many have become actively The city has a long tradition of receiving who have been living in Bangladesh for many involved as volunteers in the resettlement of migrant communities, particularly those from years. More recently, the city has received subsequent groups, and several are employed Eastern Europe and South Asia, and modern- groups of Somali and Bhutanese refugees. as interpreters and teaching assistants within day Bradford has a resultantly rich heritage of Bradford will continue to provide safety and the wider programme. traditions and cultures. Migrants have been security for 100 refugees per year during the drawn to Bradford for a wide variety of reasons, 2011-14 programme, and the city looks forward In 2010, and as a result of the city’s successes as economic migrants, to join family members to welcoming many new citizens in the future. in receiving asylum seekers and resettled and as refugees. Resettlement has been a positive experience refugees, the city of Bradford was recognised for Bradford, particularly in terms of the as a City of Sanctuary. In 2001, the local authority in Bradford sought contributions that resettled refugee to build on this long tradition by electing to communities have made to the city. receive asylum seekers in the city as part of the national asylum dispersal programme.

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe 28/29 Introducing… Abdul and his family arrived into Bradford in Life in the camp was difficult and conditions 2008. Abdul says, ‘Now I can say I have got were very hard. Initially, Mohammed and his Abdul & Mohammed security for life, and educational facilities brother planned to return to Somalia as soon and opportunities for me and for my as conditions were safe enough for them to children. My children are going to school do so. After 18 years in what was intended to and doing very well. When I first arrived I felt be a temporary refugee camp, it became upset because I didn’t know English very clear that this was not an option for their long- well, but in 2010 I went to Bradford College term future. and I passed English Language Entry Level 2 last year. Life is good but sometimes I During his time in the camp, Mohammed still get upset. My parents, brothers and managed to attend school and learned to sisters are still in the Kutupalong camp in speak English. He worked with several NGOs Bangladesh – I was there with them for and as a primary school teacher. When the Abdul Haque is a Rohingya refugee, originally 18 years in those horrible situations, and opportunity to be resettled arose, it was a from Burma. Abdul was resettled to Bradford I miss them all the time. I have been in the UK difficult decision, but they eventually decided with his family in 2008. He is 34 years old. more than 3 years now. I cannot believe how to be resettled arrived into Bradford into our lives have changed. I have a job, and I am February 2012. Mohammed says, ‘We were The Rohingya are not recognised as citizens helping other refugees to settle in Bradford. met at the airport by Horton Housing of the country by the Burmese government Most of the time I feel very happy’. Association and taken to Bradford. and are often persecuted. In 1991, these Immediately we were assessed for our levels circumstances compelled Abdul and his family Mohammed Abdi Shakut is 30 years old and of English and asked about our plans for the to flee to Bangladesh. The camps were very originally from Somalia. Mohammed’s mother future. With the help of my support workers basic. However, Abdul managed to attend died when he was very young, and he was taken and their colleagues in education, I was English language classes, and in 1997 began to live with his half-brother Abdi. In 1991, when given the opportunity to work as a working with several international organisations. Mohammed was 10 years old, members of classroom assistant working with Somali He gathered over 10 years experience of another clan attacked the village where he and children. I’ve been here for only 2 months, community work, specialising in youth work, his brother lived and Mohammed was injured, and already I cannot believe all the changes domestic violence, early marriages, family- losing an eye. Fear of further attacks led that have taken place in my life’. planning and HIV services. Mohammed and Abdi to flee Somalia and seek refuge in Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya.

Welcome to Sheffield Top tips Supporting refugee Local and regional media can significantly Resettlement and the media resettlement: A role influence public opinion about refugees. Whilst European economic and political • Start early – put in place a media for the media circumstances can sometimes make strategy for refugee resettlement reporting refugee issues challenging, before resettled refugees arrive positive coverage of local resettlement • Prepare your contacts – identify programmes can help to create supportive knowledgeable spokespeople prepared communities ready to welcome resettled to speak to local media about refugees. resettlement. Where possible, include previously resettled refugees Since 2004, the Sheffield resettlement • Build media awareness – provide partnership has successfully worked with information about refugee resettlement, local media to increase public awareness your local resettlement programme and of refugee resettlement, and to introduce the refugees due to be received into your some of the refugees resettled to the city locality. Use press packs and briefings, to the wider Sheffield public. and schedule press releases • Develop some compelling case studies – draw together some written stories, or find out if some of the refugees are willing to share their story as a way of raising awareness of their journey and arrival • Target sympathetic media – build local media contacts with a history of positive coverage of refugee issues

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe 30/31 Beyond 12 months: Long-term outcomes for refugees resettled Almost all of the group have applied to The journey to to Sheffield clearly demonstrate how those be naturalised as UK citizens, and the arriving into the city directly from often Liberian community in Sheffield continues citizenship lengthy periods of residency in highly to make a significant contribution to the insecure and traumatic situations can city’s cultural, political and social life. flourish in their new community. Whilst these outcomes were not yet visible The development of resettled refugees Employment remains a key challenge at the end of the initial 12 months of the from Sheffield newcomers to active, and – in recognition of the difficulties Gateway Protection Programme, it is clear integrated and participating Sheffield faced by many resettled refugees – it has the support they received at the outset of citizens is a long-term process. The aim been proposed that targeted support their resettlement to the city made their of the Gateway Protection Programme in focused on training and employment journey to citizenship a successful one. the first 12 months is to provide resettled should extend beyond the initial 12-month refugees with the tools, knowledge and period for all refugees. As resettled refugees of different contacts to support their path toward backgrounds are received by the city each citizenship in subsequent years. The first group of resettled Liberian year to begin the process of developing refugees received by the city of Sheffield and thriving as Sheffield citizens, the Whilst many resettled refugees will be in had lived in refugee camps for up to 20 benefits of the city’s involvement in refugee a position to move forward independently years, many having been born there, and resettlement will continue to be felt, by after 12 months, more vulnerable refugees arrived into Sheffield with little experience the city and it partners, by the Sheffield may require ongoing support from of formal education, low levels of literacy population and – most importantly – mainstream service providers in Sheffield3. and only minimal English language skills. by resettled refugees themselves. Refugee Council has developed strong links Their health was generally poor, and many with a range of agencies in the city that had experienced high levels of trauma can provide ongoing support for resettled and violence. refugees, including health services, housing support specialists and refugee community Eight years later, many of the refugees organisations. To prevent any setbacks in are in university or have completed individual refugees’ progress toward living degrees. Others have gained vocational independently, referrals to mainstream qualifications, and many are in permanent services are made 1-2 months prior to the work and/or volunteer within their end of the 12-month Gateway programme. local communities.

Welcome to Sheffield Principal author Rachel Westerby City Coordinator (ICMC Europe) Courtesy of Migration Yorkshire Migration of Courtesy

Akoi Bazzie, resettled to Sheffield in 2004, 1 (p8) Sheffield European Refugee Fund: Yorkshire & Humber Refugee of the Year finalist 2009. http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/justice_freedom_security/free_movement_of_persons_asylum_ immigration/l14567_en.htm 2 (p8) Joint EU Resettlement Programme: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/pressroom/content/20120328IPR42048/html/Financial-incentives for-EU-countries-to-take-up-more-refugees 3 (p32) An Evaluation of the Gateway Protection Programme: A Report Commissioned by the Home Office (2011) Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe This publication is produced by ICMC Europe, together with the city of Sheffield and the British Refugee Council, in the framework of ICMC’s SHARE Project – ‘Cities that Care, Cities that Share – A European Resettlement Network Engaging Cities and Regions’. The SHARE project is co-funded by the Pilot Project on Resettlement (2011) of the European Commission. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission.

International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) Europe Rue Washington 40, 1050 Brussels, Belgium +32 (0)2 227 97 29 www.icmc.net [email protected]

With thanks to our partners: Courtesy of Sheffield City Council City Sheffield of Courtesy