Refugees seize chance to rebuild their lives

Council praises community’s humane response to crisis

Refugee children who have arrived from war-torn Syria have attended their first lessons at school as they begin to build a new life in Britain.

Ashford council chiefs have praised the public response to their programme, which has resulted in dozens of refugees finding sanctuary across the borough.

Last year Ashford Borough Council (ABC) became the first local authority in Kent to pledge to take up to 50 refugees per year for the next five years, with the first families arriving last December.

Now approaching one year on, 33 people have been welcomed into the town and surrounding villages as part of the Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement Scheme.

Among them are 16 children, two of whom will have started at school this month. The other 14 were said to be already “doing well” at local schools.

In a report prepared for ABC cabinet members, council officer Sylvia Roberts praised the support shown by residents and community groups, and highlighted some of the challenges to come.

She states: “Generally, before the first arrivals, the overwhelming response from the public was that of willingness to help.

“The positive response has continued as the scheme has welcomed families, and there has been only very limited negative comment on social media, and this has quickly faded.

“Refugees do not get preferential access to benefits and services. They are provided with support to enable them to access those benefits and services efficiently and quickly in the same way that we would support anyone to return to work.”

She stated that all the refugees were in private rented accommodation, with funds paid for by the Home Office as part of a nationwide scheme to house 20,000 arrivals before 2020.

One of the key challenges is providing English lessons, with classes being provided by Kent Adult Education at the Gateway in Church Road.

Only one of the men spoke English when he arrived and has found himself a job locally. Others are now striving to do the same.

Another challenge is helping to integrate the families as there are very few Arabic speakers in the town, and only one mosque and one halal butcher’s shop.

The council has hosted gatherings of Syrian families across Kent to enable them to share their experiences and to socialise.

In total, Ashford is set to welcome 250 refugees or 50 families as part of the government programme.

‘Refugees do not get preferential access to benefits and services’

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup. co.uk Cllr Paul Clokie, who is Ashford Borough Council’s portfolio holder for housing, said: “I am pleased with the progress made in terms of helping these refugees and the enormous difference we are making to the lives of some of those most affected by the troubles in Syria.

“It is important that we continue this good work, and I fully support our continuing efforts to provide this level of assistance.

“I thank all those private landlords who have already helped, and would also like to encourage others to offer suitable properties they may have in support of this project.”