Refugees Council outlines support plan for Afghans
AFURNISHED home, provisions to start a new life and support to acclimatise and settle into the new community are some of the things Afghan families coming to an area in the Bristol region can expect.
South Gloucestershire Council has now given more details on how it plans to support the Afghan families arriving in the area.
The council has so far identified five homes that will allow the authority to house up to 25 people.
In a statement, the council said it recognised adjusting to a new life in South Gloucestershire will be “difficult” for the families, but it is committed to working with partners and the families themselves to ensure a “warm and safe welcome”.
The statement continued: “South Gloucestershire Council is pleased to commit to supporting refugees who the Government is relocating from Afghanistan following recent turmoil in that country.
“These are the families of local people who were employed working for the British military in Afghanistan. We have the capacity to help, supported by Government funding, and the moral duty to play our part.
“We have identified five homes that will allow us to house up to 25 people, and we have submitted these offers to the Home Office.”
According to the Government process, the statement explained, the needs and circumstances of the families who arrive from Afghanistan are identified and families will be allocated to local councils who have committed to help.
The council said it is continuing to explore options for additional suitable housing and will make further commitments to the Home Office as these are confirmed.
It added: “At this stage, the first family allocated to South Gloucestershire has been identified and we expect them to arrive soon.
“Working closely with a range of partners, they will be supported with their new lives.
“They will be provided with a furnished home and provisions to start their new life in our community, because we recognise they will have fled Afghanistan with almost nothing.
“In addition to a safe and secure roof over their heads, the most important aspect of providing refuge for these families will be the support that we will offer them to settle into a their new community so they can lead independent lives.
“We have commissioned Southern Brooks to provide case workers to help the families understand and navigate their new lives.
“This support will include local orientation so they can become fully part of their new communities, understanding local shops, community centres and using public transport for example.
“We will identify each individual’s specific needs and help them to register with local schools and/or English language classes, and with a local GP and other health providers according to medical needs.
“Assistance will be provided to access relevant benefits and for seeking and securing jobs, which is the same as is available all residents and includes access to 1:1 coaching and assistance in liaising with the local Job Centre’s support.”