Firstly, We must see Refugees as people who will settle not just ‘go away'

COMMUNITY & CULTURE

The social relations of refugees and asylum seekers with the host society are critical not only to their social integration but also to their physical and mental well-being. We must identify actions and policies throughout, which facilitate the socio-cultural integration if refugees and asylum seekers, encourage the host society by WELCOMING NEWLY ARRIVED PEOPLE AND PREVENTING RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA, as well as those activities which help refugees to maintain their social and cultural heritage. It is our duty to facilitate positive social relations between local communities and refugees and asylum seekers.

HOUSING

Housing of refugees and asylum seekers can be considered to be one of the essential aspects of protection. To have a ‘home', a SAFE, PEACEFUL PLACE to go back to, is necessary for all other aspects of integration. Both access to and quality of housing should be equal to that of other UK citizens.

HEALTH

Refugees and asylum seekers' health is an important factor of integration, as they often experience a sudden and potentially definitive break with their family, land and environment. They don't leave, they flee from civil war, genocide, refugee camps, prison cells, torture, oppression, and extreme poverty and starvation.

Because of their stressful histories of oppression, flight and exile, they suffer specific problems that might turn into serious physical and mental troubles. Furthermore, social and health aspects are deeply related to the asylum country: unhealthy accommodation, prolonged inactivity, injuries, as well as some adaptation difficulties - all these compromise the integration process.

APPROPRIATE PHYSICAL & MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES are priority, as is PREVENTION. Special facilities to aid SWIFT ACCESS to appropriate National Health Services should be provided, alongside professional interpretation to communicate health concerns and advice.

EDUCATION

Education, both of children and young people, and continued training and lifelong learning, is a powerful tool in the process of adaptation and social integration for refugees and asylum seekers. It forms the basis for personal development and through education, refugees and asylum seekers improve their chances to contribute to society.

For refugees and asylum seekers, who have been uprooted and forced to flee, the process of rebuilding their lives in a new environment must therefore be facilitated by the EASY ACCESS TO EDUCATION PROVISION that is TARGETED TO THE NEEDS OF REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING & EMPLOYMENT

Vocational training is a fundamental element for successful integration of refugees and asylum seekers in Britain. It is a fact that there is a gap in the existing labour market in Britain and Europe, between the professional profiles of refugees and asylum seekers and the needs of the labour market.

Unemployment
Slough's General Population 1-2% (recent estimate)
Refugees & Asylum Seekers 75-90% (Refugee Council research, varies geographical areas)

Underemployment - low paid, menial, no job security, exploitation?

It makes good economic sense to seek out and implement good practices in aiding refugees and asylum seekers to access quality employment.

LANGUAGE TUITION

The most obvious tool of integration is a common language. Whilst we are legally and morally obliged to provide translation and interpretation provision for our public services, the provision of completely FREE, CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE & INTENSE English as a Second Language courses are essential for the successful integration of refugees and asylum seekers.

Information adapted from www.refugeenet.org

We must see Refugees as people who will settle, not just ‘go away' who contribute to our rich society and provide us with skills knowledge & economic growth.