Group - 8 (PM) Gareth - How can we integrate migrant and refugees into the community by Cumbria CVS

2024-11-27 13:50:47 UTC

We need to think about how communities help people with integration

2024-11-27 13:52:08 UTC

We had two families arriving in Penrith from Afghanistan and we helped them because they didn't have winter clothes. Sometimes when we work with young people, we help them with food and clothes.

2024-11-27 13:55:18 UTC

It is not enough just to welcome and include, we need to integrate people. There are people who have high qualifications, they don't want to be cleaners.

2024-11-27 13:55:48 UTC

Especially when you have news sources that blame refugees for things.

2024-11-27 13:56:27 UTC

Refugees are in a new place and need to learn a new way of life while they have the world against them.

2024-11-27 13:58:16 UTC

I was born and brought up in East London and I remember Britain at that time when the community was changing and we had more people coming over. I remember the racial tensions. When I moved to Cumbria, I felt like I was back in 1960s Britain, those attitudes have not moved on. I think the issues around this geographical area are an added dynamic that people from other backgrounds and countries have got to negotiate.

2024-11-27 13:59:09 UTC

If you come up to Cumbria from London, we are 20-30 years behind.

2024-11-27 14:00:03 UTC

If you have a child of a different ethnicity in a playground, none of them will bat an eyelid, it's only when they get older that these attitudes come in.

2024-11-27 14:01:03 UTC

Sometimes it's hard for women as well. It is not easy, sometimes I think 'I can't believe people can act so horrible with people'

2024-11-27 14:02:11 UTC

I think there is a huge bit of public education needed

2024-11-27 14:03:16 UTC

I remember the Brixton riots, I had black friends and remember the persecution. One of the things I found frustrating when I came up here was the amount of people who didn't realise they were being racist.

2024-11-27 14:06:01 UTC

Here people look down on you, they don't give you opportunities

2024-11-27 14:07:08 UTC

Every place is different. It's difficult to find someone who is going to shout something racist into your face but they are, they don't let you be part of their space.

2024-11-27 14:15:09 UTC

Sometimes, what I noted with my group, I'm the leader for refugees of the whole of Penrith and Eden. What I noted is that some people go to the NHS but the system didn't treat them as an individual. I want the NHS to have knowledge of people's background.

They should have an interpreter so that they can have that consultation. I'll see what is on the NCIC website in terms of literature that can be handed out.

Ask the patient, the patient knows.

How can we integrate migrant and refugee communities in Cumbria?

2024-11-27 14:34:30 UTC