Encouraging a Partnership Approach to the Successful Integration of Refugee

From the police and universities to charities and community groups – how can organisations work together to successfully integrate refugees into UK society?

At a time when so many people from Afghanistan and Ukraine have been displaced across the UK, it’s a question that will be posed at a conference hosted by the University of Chester’s Institute of Policing next month.

Organised by Simon Price, Lecturer with the Institute of Policing, the event will address many of the issues around immigration and explore ways in which the police, local authorities, universities, charities, and other multi-agency organisations can support them.

Simon explained: “Settling into a new country can be very daunting for many refugees. Language barriers, new cultures and lack of social connections make integration a difficult process. They don’t know the law; they don’t know how the system works in a new country.

“Integration is vital not only for improving local community relationships, it’s essential also for reducing the problem of social isolation among refugees. Those who are socially isolated experience a much lower quality of life and have less access to services and employment.

“There are lots of initiatives, from small community groups to international projects that have emerged to foster the integration of refugees. We want to explore these issues and discuss how can we can work together to help to support refugees so that they can integrate better into our society.”

Speaking at the event will be former University of Chester student Andy Dolman-Bailey who heads up the Listening Out Loud (LOL) Foundation, a charity which works with veterans to help them become integrated back into society and give them a platform towards independence.

Simon explained: “Andy is currently supporting a number Afghan refugees in Cheshire who are waiting to be provided with accommodation, having arrived in the UK with virtually nothing, so his perspective on this experience will be extremely relevant.”

The conference will include a Keynote speech from Elizabeth Cameron, Chair of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority Race Equality panel. Attendees will also have the chance to hear first-hand from Afghan refugees who have worked with the UK and US authorities, before having to be airlifted out of the country at the time of the Taliban takeover.

Simon added: “This conference gives us a real opportunity to open a discussion about how we can support refugees in the UK to reduce distress and suffering. Many of these people had lives just like ours and have been ripped away from their families, their careers, their education. Many of them have a lot to offer, but they don’t know the way the system works. They need help and support, and one of the way to offer this is through partnership working.”

The conference, titled ‘Encouraging a Partnership Approach to the Successful Integration of Refugees into UK Society’, takes place on Wednesday, September 14th from 10am to 3pm, at Time Square, the new hub for the University in Warrington. Registration is from 9.15am and there is no charge for attending the conference.

Mid-morning coffee and light lunchtime refreshments will be provided but delegates are asked to advise in relation to any dietary requirements or allergies by emailing [email protected]. A number of major food retailers are also situated in the immediate vicinity of the conference centre should delegates wish to be self-sufficient on the day.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

2 Time Square, University Centre Warrington, 2 Time Square, Warrington, United Kingdom