It takes a town to raise a family': the community sponsors supporting refugees in the UK

"Our children correct us when we don't pronounce some words with the proper Derbyshire accent, says Samir*, an Afghan refugee whose family have settled into their new lives in the north of England. Initially, he says, it was difficult for the family to get used to rural life in Derbyshire, but after a while they had integrated into the local community so well that his children, who have adopted the Derbyshire accent, tease him about his."

"Part of the ease with which they have settled into the community is down to support from a community sponsorship scheme. It provides refugees withwraparound 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 such as learning English, accessing work, study or benefits, and registering with a GP and dentist."

"The government oversees the scheme, one of four different refugee resettlement programmes. Shabana Mamood, the home secretary, said last November that she hoped to further develop this model. With control [over Britain's borders] restored, we will open up 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 pace and scale of change does not exceed what a local area is willing to accept, she said."

An Afghan refugee family relocated after Afghanistan fell to the Taliban in August 2021 settled in rural Derbyshire and integrated into the local community. The family's children adopted the Derbyshire accent and now correct their parents' pronunciation. Ease of settlement resulted partly from a community sponsorship scheme that provides wraparound support, including fundraising, sourcing affordable accommodation, and assisting with English, employment, study, benefits, and health registration. The government oversees the scheme as one of four resettlement programmes, and the home secretary plans to expand community sponsorship with capped refugee routes. Local sponsors often adopt caring, grandmotherly roles for newcomers.

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