Refugees Integration Project

Funded by the Home Office Integration Fund, this project targets 60 people who are recognised as having refugee status under the 1951 UN Convention or those with Humanitarian Protection, Discretionary Leave or Exceptional Leave to remain in the UK leading to settlement where appropriate. The focus of the project addresses the two key issues for refugees identified in Integration Matters and Working to Rebuild Lives.

It provides more innovative measures to support the integration of refugees into mainstream economic activity and active citizenship thus enabling people to make a full contribution to their community and achieve their full potential.

Bradford has experienced exceptional challenges in creating a safe and cohesive society for all its citizens within the past 12 months. The communities within which most refugees reside (Manningham, Toller, University, Girlington, Little Horton) have a high proportion of indigenous British Pakistani and Bangladeshi families (Toller ward 66%), and high levels of migrants from the EU Accession 8 Countries, as well as residents with refugee status from Iran, Eritrea, Somalia, China and Afghanistan. There are an estimated number of over 500 new arrivals to Bradford every year, including those who arrive for marriage purposes. In addition there were at the latest count 755 people seeking asylum who are resident in Bradford, mainly from Iran, Eritrea, Somalia, China and Afghanistan. Refugees are 6 times more likely to be unemployed than local people. Precise numbers are difficult to ascertain as these people are deemed as 'settled' and the flows and stock change regularly as people arrive to join others or leave.

Bradford has historically welcomed migrants from many parts of the world but local services are under stress as outlined in a recent report produced by the local A8 Central and Eastern European Working group. Whilst this report focuses on the current issues for these particular migrants, the issues of pressure and relevance of provision are exactly the same. Front line workers report increased tensions between communities and a lack of expertise within community partners who are at the 'frontline'. There are many issues that need to be addressed particularly in regard to providing more practical English language training linked to preparation for employment, more programmes to prepare for citizenship and stronger linkages to be developed between refugees of quite different ethnicity, faith and cultural backgrounds to local communities.

This lack of understanding amongst the wider community about these migrants is leading to a dash of cultures and a weakening of community cohesion. Negative press reporting has unhelpfully promoted stereotypes about refugees and further exacerbated the local situation. Refugees are not a homogenous group and needs differ and vary according to the individual. Some are highly qualified and lack language skills, and some are unskilled, have low or no qualifications and lack language skills. All lack knowledge of the locality, British culture, its institutions including employers and British work ethics, how to find work and access other services such as medical and housing.

Refugees as opposed to economic migrants and some asylum seekers have additional challenges having endured trauma in their own countries. The majority of refugees are highly motivated and keen to work. These barriers force them to remain unemployed or enter low skilled work. Some clients have poor basic skills including ICT, have difficulties communicating in English and require advice on personal presentation.

QED-UK's Refugees Integration Project helps to overcome these barriers by providing the information, advice and guidance, access to a partnership network, training and individual support required to lead to a job. It also provides the language level required for the Citizenship Test and employment. Our contacts with the client group are well established through our previous two years experience of the New Arrivals Programme. QED-UK has built networks with migrant communities in Bradford, Shipley and Keighley, and the local press. It has created the Association of New Arrivals and works closely with Jobcentre Plus.

For more information contact Adeeba Malik MBE (Project Manager for PEF and QED's Deputy Chief Executive) at Quest House, 243 Manningham Lane, Bradford BD8 7ER. Telephone: 01274 483267,email a.malik@qed-uk.org.