Strategic integration areas

Forced migration involves loss of place and community and often separation from family, friends and loved ones. The process of rebuilding lives in a new country therefore depends to a great extent on the development of meaningful attachments and connections in, and developing a sense of belonging to, their new communities. At the most basic level, it involves refugees knowing their rights and responsibilities in the UK, having access to good legal advice and representation, and developing trust in institutions and authority figures such as the police. 

Building connections with others, whether from the same refugee community or with people from different backgrounds, is crucial. Refugees often mention social interaction as a very important part of the integration process. However, refugees and asylum seekers experience barriers in developing these connections, such as low levels of financial support that asylum seekers access. These are exacerbated by ‘hostile environment’ policies that result, among other things, in negative perceptions of refugees and asylum seekers in the media, and negative views expressed by people in positions of influence. 

Barriers to community integration

• Precariousness of immigration status

• Lack of English language

• Cultural differences and lack of knowledge of rights and responsibilities

• Lack of meaningful, sustainable contact with people from other backgrounds

• Negative public perceptions of refugees and asylum seekers

• Fear of engaging with authorities, especially the police

• 'Hostile environment' immigration and asylum policies

Local authorities, police officers, and their partners have a key role to play in ensuring that refugees and asylum seekers feel safe and welcome where they live. They need to engage sensitively and effectively with both refugees and local communities to prevent and manage community tension and tackle hate crime, racism, xenophobia, anti-refugee feeling, and others forms of discrimination. Authorities need to build trust with refugees so that they know they have the right to feel safe in their new community and, if they become victims of hate crime, they feel confident to report it. 

Successful integration is more likely where refugees are welcomed in the new local area and there are many diverse and welcoming communities across the region. A welcoming and supportive environment can be developed when the local community is aware of the reasons why refugees and asylum seekers arrive locally, and the background to forced displacement. With the help of positive local media coverage and supportive local services, communities can foster empathy, understanding and compassion towards refugees and asylum seekers. 

Welcoming and supportive communities include hubs and settings where refugees can meet other refugees and people from different backgrounds, get to know their neighbours, and take part in cultural exchanges and other activities that bring the community together. The development of meaningful connections can also be supported through more formal interventions such as accessible volunteering opportunities for refugees and people from other backgrounds to work together, community champions approaches, and befriending, buddying and mentoring schemes. 

The cultural, leisure, and sport sectors, including libraries and arts organisations, can play an invaluable role in the process of refugee integration by offering a wide range of opportunities for refugees to connect with others and to bond over common interests. Providers can help create these opportunities by promoting activities and events within local refugee communities, ensuring provision and settings are accessible and welcoming to refugees, and by participating in established frameworks for celebrating the contributions of refugees, such as the annual Refugee Week. 

Community and belonging priorities

• Yorkshire and Humber, through its local neighbourhoods, social and community settings, and local media, provides a welcoming environment to refugees and asylum seekers

• Refugees make sustainable connections with people from all backgrounds and have regular access to meaningful opportunities to interact with others

• Refugees and asylum seekers are aware of their rights and responsibilities in the UK, and have access to good quality legal advice and representation where needed

• Refugees feel safe, develop trusting relationships with the police and other authorities, and are confident about reporting crime, especially hate crime

• The culture, leisure, and sports sector in the region are actively engaged in the integration of refugees through the provision of safe, accessible, and welcoming activities