Globally, resettlement is recognised as one of the most sustainable solutions for supporting refugees. The UK’s introduction of the Community Sponsorship Scheme (CSS) represents an innovative approach, where local communities are empowered to resettle refugee families, providing them with enhanced integration support.
Dr Sara Hassan explores the effectiveness of this programme, particularly in the context of the UK’s Indicators of Integration (IoI) framework and highlights the key findings from interviews with resettled refugee adults in both diverse and less diverse areas of the UK.
Read the paper: You Are Safe Here: Community Sponsorship Policy and Refugee Integration in the UK
The Importance of Volunteer Support in the Integration Process
The UK’s Community Sponsorship Scheme stands out for its unique model of using volunteers to facilitate the integration of refugees. Volunteers play a pivotal role in helping refugees access essential resources and build connections within their new communities. This model, adapted from Canada’s long-standing sponsorship programmes, demonstrates the potential for volunteer-driven support to add significant value to refugee resettlement.
Through the research conducted, it became clear that the relationship between refugees and volunteers lies at the heart of the integration process. Volunteers offered not just practical assistance, but also personal care, fostering relationships that evolved over time. The ability to access volunteers’ networks and local knowledge proved invaluable for refugees, helping them navigate complex healthcare, education, and welfare systems. This social capital was crucial, especially in less diverse areas, where volunteers acted as ‘navigators,’ helping refugees and local service providers bridge gaps in understanding and knowledge.
Social Capital and the Role of Weak vs Strong Ties
One of the key insights from this study was the evolving nature of the relationships between volunteers and refugees. Initially, these relationships were based on what sociologist Mark Granovetter describes as ‘weak ties’ connections that provide access to new information and resources. Over time, however, many of these ties deepened into ‘strong ties,’ characterised by mutual care, understanding, and reciprocity. This shift often engendered a sense of belonging for refugees, which is a critical aspect of the integration process.
Contrary to some policy positions that view co-ethnic networks as problematic, the findings suggest that multiple forms of network support, including those fostered by volunteers, are beneficial. In more diverse areas, refugees benefitted from co-ethnic connections, which helped them acclimate to life in the UK, especially in understanding how to live on a low income. In less diverse areas, the relationships with volunteers offered a different but equally valuable form of support, providing refugees with a sense of security and intimacy.
Challenges and Limitations of the Community Sponsorship Scheme
While the Community Sponsorship Scheme has proven to be a promising model for refugee integration, it is not without its limitations. One key challenge is the socio-economic background of the volunteers themselves, who are often middle-class retirees. While these volunteers are committed and well-meaning, they often lack the experience needed to help refugees with issues such as finding entry-level employment or navigating life on a low income.
Moreover, the CSS relies heavily on volunteers’ knowledge and networks, which may not be sufficient for addressing the full range of integration needs. For example, refugees often require specialised support around citizenship, family reunion, and requalification for work in the UK. These are areas where volunteers may not have the expertise or the ability to influence outcomes, particularly given the UK’s current immigration policies.
Context Matters: The Role of Place and Resettlement Location
Another critical factor influencing the success of refugee integration under the CSS is the context in which refugees are resettled. The findings suggest that refugees in more diverse areas, where they can connect with others from their ethnic backgrounds, often have an easier time adapting to life in the UK. These connections provide not only social support but also practical assistance, such as tips on where to find familiar foods or how to navigate the UK’s welfare system.
However, refugees in less diverse areas reported building deeper, more intimate relationships with their sponsors, which contributed to their sense of safety and security. Gender also played a role, with women often forming important social connections through their children’s schools.
The Way Forward for Refugee Sponsorship Programmes
The UK’s Community Sponsorship Scheme has the potential to contribute significantly to refugee integration, particularly by enabling refugees to focus on broader aspects of their resettlement, such as learning English or rebuilding their lives, rather than being pressured into immediate employment. However, to maximise its impact, the scheme must address some of its limitations. Tailored programmes that consider the specific contexts of resettlement areas—whether diverse or less diverse—could enhance the support provided to refugees.
Additionally, volunteers, while essential, cannot be expected to meet all of a refugee’s integration needs. Specialist services, particularly around employment, citizenship, and family reunion, are needed to complement the work of volunteers. Future research should examine the long-term outcomes for sponsored refugees and compare these with the experiences of those who arrive through other resettlement mechanisms.
In conclusion, while the CSS offers a valuable model for refugee resettlement, it is clear that a one-size-fits-all approach will not suffice. To continue to add value to global refugee resettlement efforts, the scheme must evolve, building on its strengths while addressing its limitations. With further refinement, the CSS has the potential to significantly improve the lives of refugees, helping them integrate and thrive in their new communities.
Read the paper: You Are Safe Here: Community Sponsorship Policy and Refugee Integration in the UK
This blog was written by Dr Sara Hassan, Research Fellow II, City-REDI, University of Birmingham.
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this analysis post are those of the author and not necessarily those of City-REDI / WMREDI or the University of Birmingham.