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“Our children tease us when we mispronounce certain words with the proper regional accent,” states Samir*, an Afghan refugee whose family has settled into their new lives in the north of England.

Initially, he says, it was difficult for the family to adjust to rural life in their new area, but over time they had blended into the neighbourhood so thoroughly that his children, who have adopted the regional accent, joke with him about his different one.

“Now our community is turning into a diverse community,” adds Samir, who along with his family was resettled to the UK after events in his home country.

Understanding Local Support Schemes

Part of the smooth transition with which they have settled is due to support from a local support program. It gives refugees with wraparound support from a group of residents who agree to fundraise, source affordable accommodation, and help with the basic challenges of life in a new country.

This includes studying English, accessing work, education or support services, and signing up with a doctor and dental practice.

Samir states that thanks to their sponsorship group, the family have settled in successfully – including the regional accents.

Government Oversight and Expansion Hopes

The authorities oversees the scheme, which is part of several resettlement pathways. The Home Secretary has said she aimed to further develop this model.

“With management restored, we will create new, capped routes for refugees for whom this country will be the first, safe haven they encounter. We will make community sponsorship the norm, so we know that the rate and size of change does not exceed what a community is prepared to accept,” she said.

The Power of Local Connection

Sue Wall, part of a assisting group in Ashbourne, says that as a grandmother, she slips into the same role with the newcomers.

“That’s an role that the families understand. If you help people become integrated they are more able to resume their previous profession or something akin to it, which helps with their self-worth and confidence. If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a whole town to raise a family,” she says.

Community Control and Strong Outcomes

Susannah Baker, the chair of a sponsorship alliance, supports plans to develop targeted matching, allowing communities to be paired with refugee families they think will be a good fit.

“This puts the power firmly in the hands of communities, allowing them to identify and welcome refugees they are ready to support,” she says. “It is both compassionate and managed, delivering strong integration outcomes because communities are active partners from the beginning. When local people are involved early, arrivals learn English more quickly, find work sooner, and become part of community life.”

Personal Journeys:

Maryam’s Story: From Fear to Community

Maryam*, a 17-year-old from Syria refugee, came to Bristol with her family several years ago. The family was aided by a group of sponsors called Westbury Welcome.

“When I was three I walked with my family from Syria to Jordan because of the big war in my country,” says Maryam. Initially, the change between the bustling area of Jordan and the calm street where they were given a home was a surprise, she says.

“In Jordan there are many people. When we arrived here we were given a house but when we looked out of the window and saw there was no one in the street, it was really daunting for me. I said to my mum, ‘should we just go back to Jordan?’ I think without the support group we would have been stuck in a cycle of not comprehending things.”

She says one of her earliest recollections was the meal the group prepared for the family after picking them up from the airport. “They cooked us traditional rice and chicken. I think it was the most generous meal I had eaten in my life.”

Now the family are embedded in their community. Maryam is studying for her A-levels and is hoping to then take a year out before going to university.

“Not everyone understands why we came to the UK. We didn’t come for fun. Having the group help us with everything from finding a GP to understanding how the buses work made things so much easier for us.”

Eveline’s Perspective: Mutual Benefit

Eveline Johnstone, part of the group supporting Maryam’s family, said they formed under the auspices of a national charity that supports those who want to become community sponsors.

The group has subsequently supported other families. “It’s great for the families to have a network of people to support them and it’s great for us to do something constructive and to welcome people. I have learned so much from the people who have come here,” Johnstone says.

Ori’s New Life: Gardens and Strength

For Ori*, a Syrian mother, one of the joys of living in Devon – along with the huge support she has received – is having a garden.

“Back home we lived in an apartment block and the garden was on the roof. Here we live in a house with an upstairs and a downstairs, and I can grow flowers, shrubs, jasmine and mint,” she says.

Jane Kivlin is a member of the group that has supported Ori and her family after being moved by a movie about how a Syrian refugee family are at first greeted with suspicion but ultimately welcomed. She says of Ori’s family: “They are incredibly resilient. They find a lot of things quite difficult but I don’t think I have seen any despair.”

Support in Scotland: A New Start

Abby Boutlee, part of a group supporting an Afghan family in a rural Scotland, says: “It has gone really smoothly. The family have a difficult history and some health problems but they are eager to be ‘new Scots’ and are enthusiastic to add to the life of the village. There are 14 of us supporting them and we hope to be a launchpad for them into a new life where they can find their feet.”

A Final Reflection

“When we first arrived life was hard for us,” says Samir. “We found it a very quiet place compared to the urban area we had come from. We felt very isolated and didn’t know anyone. Now I’ve succeeded in my driving test and have been offered a postgraduate course. We have made lots of friends here.

“Although we come from a completely different country and culture, we have so much in common with the people of this country. Community sponsorship is a excellent way to support people in crisis, and to foster trust between people from different backgrounds.”

*Names have been changed