Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. As a community sponsorship volunteer you must be alert to safeguarding concerns so that you are able to recognise, respond and report in a timely, efficient manner. The following video, developed by Reset, provides specific guidance on how to talk to families about safeguarding. The Reset Safeguarding Awareness E-Learning is available for all…
Stage of the process: We have welcomed a family
Useful links | Mental Health
ESOL Childcare Fund
As you welcome and support families into your communities, one of the key areas of focus will be the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. Adult members of the family are required to attend eight hours of ESOL classes per week. We realise that physically attending these classes isn’t always easy – and…
Experts by Experience: Ghazala and Nidal’s first 6 months
Families can be waiting for resettlement for many years, so it’s understandable to hear that Ghazala and Nidal could not believe it when they were told they were going to be resettled to the UK! They shared with us their time and experience of living in the UK, speaking on what their first 6 months…
Experts by Experience: Kadar on getting a driving license
Having a car can be integral to a family’s independence, especially in areas where public transport is limited. However, obtaining a UK driving license can be a challenging and lengthy process. The UK has one of the most difficult theory tests in the world. This is even more demanding if English is not your first…
Experts by Experience: Nour’s experience of life and education in the UK
We sat down to speak with Nour, a student who was resettled to the UK with his family. In our interview with him, Nour speaks on his experience of coming to the UK shortly before the first Covid-19 lockdown, the differences in schooling in the UK compared to the Middle East, and his future aspirations….
Experts by Experience: Rawasia and her experience of resettlement
Navigating resettlement as a teenager can be full of extremely difficult challenges, including losing friends, losing your education and losing your home. On top of this, you are contending with starting a new life in a host country you may not feel at home in, or feel wanted in. This has been Rawasia’s experience, one…
Experts by Experience: Resettlement as a single parent
Making the journey firstly from your home country to a host country, and then to another country via resettlement, is a hard undertaking for any family – and one that becomes even more difficult as a single parent. The reassurance there is in being able to turn to your partner in such a situation, and…
Experts by Experience: Zahir and Lena on settling into a rural community
Having now lived in the UK for over two years, Zahir and Lena sat down to talk with us about how their family have settled into a rural community, one which now feels like home. They spoke to us about their experience of leaving Syria, the hardship of rebuilding their lives in Jordan, and the…
Indefinite Leave to Remain: Changes to status for UKRS
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILtR) means that there is no time limit for how long you can remain in the UK. It means that you are entitled to access benefits, education, healthcare and other rights of UK Citizens. It is possible to apply for Citizenship after you have lived here for 5 years. More details…
Post Arrival Support Visits
As part of your Sponsor Agreement with the Home Office, you will have consented to participate in follow up calls through your first year of support of the family you welcome. These will provide an opportunity to reflect on the support you are offering and to bring up any challenges you may be having. Reset will…
Supporting refugees to access mental health support
‘In many ways, mental health is just like physical health: everybody has it and we need to take care of it.Good mental health means being generally able to think, feel and react in the ways that you need and want to live your life. But if you go through a period of poor mental health…
Understanding the emotional journey of refugees
It’s easy to assume that a refugee’s trauma has ended once they have been resettled in a new country. However, this isn’t always the case. Stages of trauma frequently include the following and need specific approaches and tailored support for each stage: Before migration: Persecution, possible torture and/or imprisonment, war, violence, economic hardship, loss.During migration:…
Expert by Experience: Seeking support for your wellbeing (Arabic/English)
A video developed by IOM about the value of seeking mental health / wellbeing support.
Experts by Experience – a call for Experts!
We know that the true experts in community led welcome are those who have welcomed, and those who have been welcomed. For this reason, we’re looking to grow the work we do with refugees, who are Experts by Experience. An Expert by Experience is someone who has lived experience of the issues they’re discussing and…
Understanding children and young peoples mental health
The children within the family that you will sponsor may have experienced distressing or traumatic events. Adapting to a new country, including a new culture, language and school, can be challenging. Understandably, some children may need support with their mental health. Support services may be available through local charities, the child’s school or the NHS….
Accessing the Refugee Employability Programme (REP)
“The Refugee Employability Programme (REP) is a Home Office initiative for the specific needs of refugees, to give them the support they need to find work and build their lives in England. The REP aims to remove barriers which cannot be fully addressed by mainstream services” The new and exciting Refugee Employability Programme (REP) is…
Addressing housing complaints
As a Community Sponsorship group, you will have gone to great lengths to source suitable housing for a refugee family. You will have invited your Local Authority to view the accommodation for suitability, you may be paying housing rent top-up and you may even have renovated or purchased a property. The refugees you support will…
Adopting an empowerment approach to housing provision
This resource will help your group support refugees to understand their housing obligations, to foster independence and empowerment as renters in the future. The family you support as a Community Sponsorship group will include adults who have lived independent lives. They’ll have been making choices for themselves and their families for a long time. When it…
Adopting an empowerment approach to ILtR applications
For families who arrive before winter 2021, they will have been given the right to live and work here for 5 years. Once the family members have been in the UK for 4 years and 11 months, they will need to submit an application for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILtR). The application process is carried out…
Creating informal English learning opportunities
As refugee families are learning formal ESOL in the classroom, you can play a vital role by encouraging them to make use of all the great ways they can improve their English skills through more informal routes at home. The following suggestions are both practical and easy to incorporate – while also helping to change…