Integration

 

Social integration is complex and not merely between host nationals and refugees; there can also be issues between refugee populations. As NERS highlight, though refugees may be the same nationality, it does not mean they will mix well. For example, in the refugee population from Iraq there are Iraqi-Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen, who all have cultural and religious differences. 

 

According to NERS, integrating into British society is becoming easier than it was in the past, with British citizens reacting to the world refugee crisis by offering their time to help the organisation and provide donations – some citizens in Newcastle have even offered to let refugees use the spare rooms in their houses. Whilst recent media hype may suggest refugees are unwelcome in British society, NERS consider the UK population as a whole quite welcoming; whenever a bad event happens people respond by ‘opening their doors.’ 

 

NERS recognise however there is still a lot to improve; they believe the key to integration is employment, as it means refugees automatically integrate with others, create friendships and develop a sense of self-worth. For children it means developing their language skills so that they can participate fully in school, without a linguistic barrier. 

 

Other issues preventing integration can include things like mental health. Many asylum seekers feel unable to seek help for mental health issues through fear they will not get the help needed; as people will suspect they are merely trying to gain refugee status. Moreover, opening up about their distressing backgrounds can be even more harrowing if their asylum claims fail and they are sent back to their home country. Consequently, refugees can find themselves further isolated in an alien country. 

 

Whilst there is no statistical evidence to support the claims, based on some of the refugees lived experiences, NERS believe there has been an increased hostility post-Brexit. 

 

 

Asylum Support Service 

 

The Asylum Support Service is a branch of NERS supporting refugees with problems that may arise whilst they are filing for asylum. This can include helping asylum seekers who become stressed, helping asylum seekers get the correct benefits, helping access legal representation, education and health care, in addition to owning an emergency stock of housing.

 

The Asylum Support Service helps asylum seekers throughout the asylum process even after a decision has been made. For those receiving a positive decision, NERS help refugees search for employment. Those receiving negative decisions are advised on what their next steps can be. Director Mohamed Nasreldin explains, ‘We try to re-engage with the system, and if they exhaust all their means to exist here [and] if they decide to go back to their country of origin, then we help them return to their country of origin.’ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Integration and Employment

 

The integration and employment arm of NERS specifically helps those who have received positive decisions from their asylum applications. As refugees move from living in houses with bills paid for by NERS, NERS aim to help refugees access benefits, gain skills and attend language classes.

Nasreldin explains that NERS aims to ‘help them on their road to independence and economic independence.’ He states the organisation has previously helped refugees who have worked as health professionals in their own country get employment within the NHS, by helping with CV’s and references.

Not only does NERS help refugees access work, but they also provide 800 days per annum for social work students at universities across the North East. 

 

 

Supportive Accommodation

 

Supportive Accommodation is provided by NERS for anyone who needs extra support; this can include people with gambling, drug, or mental health issues. NERS provide them with housing and then closely support them for up to two years before helping them move into independent accommodation. NERS have 20 properties, 12 of which are run by the local authorities. From 2016-17 NERS helped support 15 of their clients into independent housing. 

 

 

Interpreting Service

 

The interpreting arm is the only trading arm of NERS. The organisation employs migrants and refugees with language skills, helping them to pass qualifications allowing them to be employed as interpreters. This helps refugees integrate into British society through gaining additional language skills and employment. 

 

The NERS interpreting service have been used by the NHS and police who need interpreters. Once NERS have sent an interpreter, the corporation will then pay NERS for the service. 

 

Language classes are also put on by NERS twice a week, with a third session being added soon due to the high demand of refugees wanting to learn English to be able to integrate into British society.