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ten yearcelebration2002-12

Routes

from there to here

The Routes Project is 10 years old and I’m very happy to be able to introduce this celebratory report. We wanted to find out what has happened to some of our earliest service users – the centre pages of the report give some of their experiences. The outer pages describe the service and how it and the communities it serves have changed in the past 10 years.

It has also led me to reflect on the past 10 years. The Routes Project was founded by the Bibini Centre for Young People which provided services to black young people and their families and had a well established family support service. My involvement with Routes came from my previous experience of working with Traveller communities in Manchester. We had a tried and tested outreach approach and translated this to working with new arrivals to the city – initially refugees and asylum seekers. My initial interest was in supporting children to get into school but the project has always worked more widely than this. I started in a job share role as Project Coordinator, and we had a multi-lingual team of workers from the UK, Albania, Pakistan, the Czech Republic and Somalia. This diversity continues to be one of the key features of Routes. Due to strategic changes at the Bibini Centre, Routes was transferred to BHA in 2004 and at a similar time broadened its scope to other international new arrivals to Manchester.

Routes work is based on a professional and committed approach. We understand that it

works to get close to people and we build a very personal relationship, which is at the same time boundaried and different from friendship. Many people needing our support bring a lot of strengths and they need a relatively light touch to help them up off the floor – the impact is massive. We also know when to dig deeper and work using our community intelligence. In setting up this study I have been truly amazed at how many people remember us and have been very welcoming even after so many years. It’s also good to see people happy in their lives, you can always tell the high fliers who will succeed and some have far exceeded my expectations.

It’s interesting to see that in many ways the service is fundamentally unchanged since 2002 – since the core issues it is trying to address remain the same. Yet the project has shown itself to be flexible and responsive to changes in legislation and policy and to the needs of communities coming to Manchester.I am proud of the work done by Routes over the past ten years and I am completely sure that it works. We have a project that is trusted by service users and by partners, and a team that is supportive and dedicated. I look forward to its future developments.

Julie DaviesBHA Director of Healthy CommunitiesSeptember 2012

Foreword

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Manchester as an attractive cityManchester’s urban landscape changes on a regular basis, providing new focal points and exciting opportunities for the residents of Manchester. The city is an attractive place for people to settle, which inevitably has led to a city brimming with diversity.

Each year, there are variations in the backgrounds of individuals and families arriving from abroad, more often than not reflecting the economic and political situations from around the world. With the ever changing global context, the impact on Manchester is evident, both in terms of the positive nature of migration but also the challenges it brings for provision of services and for including new communities in the life of the city.

Needs of families as they arriveFamilies arriving in the UK from abroad face a multitude of issues which are potentially of significant detriment to the wellbeing and stability of individuals, families and the wider community. Families experience immense pressure in unfamiliar environments and can be

Need for the service

marginalised from participating in public and social life due to the challenges of navigating complex bureaucratic processes and systems.However competent families are their lack of knowledge about these systems and processes can make it difficult for some families to obtain access to education and health provision, achieve financial sustainability and acquire adequate housing. This is made all the more difficult when individuals have little or no English language skill.

How Routes came into beingIIn 2002, the Routes Project was commissioned through Manchester Children’s Fund, in response to their consultation which highlighted refugee and asylum seeking children as a priority group that were at risk of social exclusion. The increased vulnerability of this group emerged following the revision of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act which allowed for the dispersal of asylum seekers to towns and cities across the UK, including the City of Manchester. Many people arriving were highly educated and some of them had held senior positions back home, yet most were living in near destitution with little or no

income. For others, lack of access to education in their country of origin led them to be at further disadvantage in the UK. Many families had experienced trauma both at home and in the UK where their local environments could be very hostile. Refugee and newly arrived families were increasingly presenting needs in relation to, poverty, mental health and in accessing appropriate services to care for their children. The rationale for providing a service which would meet the practical and emotional needs became increasingly evident.

The Routes Project recognises that providing an early offer of help is intrinsic to meeting the wellbeing needs of any family. For newly arrived families, the need for a timely and responsive intervention is crucial to encouraging the long term integration and settlement of families in local communities. Through using a holistic approach, the Routes Project assesses a family’s need based upon the social, environmental, educational and economic situation, ensuring that their strengths, including relationships and interactions with the wider community are recognised and utilised.

ServiceModel

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Service UserInterviews

How Routes has evolved as communities changeEvery year, the number of newly arrived families settling in Manchester has continued to increase, requiring a responsive, efficient and effective service. Through continued local authority commissioning, the Routes Project has plugged the gap over the past decade, guaranteeing that children, young people and their parents are linked to universal services at the earliest opportunity and are supported to address more complex needs. The service model for Routes has remained largely unchanged in this time and is summarised in the diagram on page 5. The approach utilised by the Routes Project incorporates nationally recognised elements of good practice in family support.

From the beginning of its life, Routes Project has had a strong emphasis on its work influencing mainstream service provision. This has led the project to be strategically connected to statutory providers in the city and to have an underlying belief in the value of working in partnership with other projects to achieve better outcomes for children and families.

The Routes Project has endeavoured to be responsive to the diversifying needs brought about by the arrival of new communities in the city, especially due to the expansion of the European Union in 2004 and 2007. Through effective communication with newly arrived families, commissioners and partners the Routes Project has adapted quickly to meet the needs of various groups, as illustrated in the timeline on page 20.

Routes has plugged the gap over the past decade, guaranteeing that children, young people and their parents are linked to universal services at the earliest opportunity and are supported to address more complex needs

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I have been involved with the Routes Project since it first started – giving strategic management and evaluation support. It has been a great privilege and a very humbling experience for me to have the chance to meet up with some of the early service users and talk about how their lives have changed. I would like to thank them for their welcome and their openness.

The idea of the study was to find out where people are up to 10 years after the project’s first involvement with them. We wanted to have a range of background and previous life experience. During the period of funding from Manchester Children’s Fund (2002 to 2008) Routes was closely involved in work done by the evaluation team from Birmingham University who identified five long term outcomes for the work of the project. We were interested to understand how well these outcomes have been met.

Project workers took some time to set up the study. They tracked families down and contacted them personally to introduce the study and ask whether they’d like to be involved. All the families I met with are still in Manchester; we do know that some families have moved away from the city. The interviews with families were held in their own homes and were very much a conversation about their lives now. An interpreter was present (but not always necessary) for half of the meetings. I also met up with two young people from families, one of these being out of the home.

Introduction

This section has 8 accounts taken from the families I met. The accounts are presented here as interviews for ease of reading, and names have been changed to give anonymity. There is also a summary of what the interviews tell us about the work of the Routes Project - its long term outcomes and service model.

Sarah ForsterIndependent Consultant September 2012

The idea of the study was to find out where people are up to 10 years after the project’s first involvement with them

What led you to Manchester? Due to the political situation in our country, I had to take the very difficult decision to split up my family. I came with my youngest daughter, aged 11, in 2004. My eldest daughter went to America, the middle one stayed in Zimbabwe, their father was in prison there.

What has been most difficult?It took 4 years to get refugee status. That is a long time, it felt like forever. You can’t decide on doing anything and aren’t allowed to do even unpaid work. When you’re in a twilight zone you don’t know whether something would mix your legs one day. And you’re always getting these threats that you’re liable for deportation or being moved anywhere. The best thing Routes did for me was challenge a decision to move us to West Yorkshire. We had just got my daughter into school and I was starting to integrate. I felt devastated, there was only one week’s notice. In 3 days Routes got a petition from themselves, our hospital, GP and school. We heard on the very last minute – as the car was coming to collect us – that we could stay in Manchester. To get status we went through the whole legal process of appeals and challenges – right through to the High Court. I went to 8 court hearings, Routes came with me in the early days.

How is your youngest daughter?She has cerebral palsy. When we first came she was very frail and had to spend time in hospital. It took a long time - 9 months - to get her a special-

ist school place. Now she is able to do some basic tasks herself, but will always need some care and will never be able to work. She has a carer after school when I am working, but the budget is limited so there’s no funding left for respite care. It’s exhausting for me at times. When she comes home it’s a job on its own, I have to be with her. Our friends help when they can.I had my own health problems when we arrived, but I was only focusing on my daughter. Routes made me understand I have to take care of myself first in order to give her good care. Now I am ok and I look after myself.

I don’t want her to live away from me - there’s no way I could do that if I’m fit and able to look after her.

What has been your biggest achievement here?I have realised that whatever you achieve you also need to give back. That’s something people from my country don’t usually believe in. We are a bit selfish, that was a change for me. In Zimbabwe I had a very good, well paid job. We had a big house with land and a swimming pool. I would never have done anything more, even voluntary work. I was really impressed when I came here and saw volunteers even working the whole day, just reaching out to the disadvantaged, vulnerable people.

What work do you do?I needed to find a job that allows me to also care for my daughter. I am now in the second year of

doing a social work degree. I was thrilled to be offered one of 45 places, from 4500 applicants! I have also done voluntary work for a local charity who helped us. I have just been offered my first paid work since I arrived – for the charity where I did my recent university placement. My heart is with asylum seekers, when I’m qualified I want to work to support them. I know it, I’ve gone through it.

What about your other daughters?I didn’t see my middle daughter for 6 years – until 2010. Now she and my eldest daughter both live in Canada. The eldest is an accountant and the middle one is at university. Since we all have our papers and are able to travel freely, we save up so that we can visit each other on alternate years.

What do you think of Manchester? We have been in this house for nearly 4 years. This is the best area one could wish to live in. The neighbours are very welcoming and friendly. We all look out for each other. My neighbour does my garden, puts out my bins, we get along so well. There’s an Asian lady nearby and we are very good friends. We all know people’s birthdays and exchange Christmas presents. We have also both made good friends through our church. I used to say when things get better in Zimbabwe I will go back, but I have changed my mind. I don’t see things changing there and I am very settled here.

Ruth from Zimbabwe lives in central Manchester

I have realised that whatever you achieve you also need to give back

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What led you to Manchester? My family were in refugee camps because of the war in Kosovo. I have 5 children and the second child was hurt when our house was bombed, he lost his hearing. The British government evacuated us to Manchester along with 580 families, some of them moved to other cities later.

How have things changed since you arrived here?Our biggest need was to get help for our son who was hurt, he has learning difficulties. He was very stressed by his traumatic experiences and used to shout all the time – he spent 8 months in hospital. Routes gave us a lot of help with everything including paperwork, schools, health appointments and housing. The connection we had with Routes is still important. Now he is doing well and is calm. He has a lot of support, good medical care and attends school – he wouldn’t have got that at home. It benefits us all that he is better. Our other children are doing well at school and college.

What about the language?We couldn’t speak any English when we arrived. I have learnt just by being here. My wife has attended some classes.

How do you spend your time?I have tried to find work but not been able to. It’s difficult because I have also had post traumatic stress. I was hurt by the soldiers during the war, they broke three bones with a machine gun. I have been depressed and often can’t sleep at night. I gave up smoking 5 weeks ago – I would smoke up to 60 cigarettes a day. My wife is very happy that I’ve stopped and has decorated the house! We spend our time looking after the children and the house. We don’t think about ourselves, only the children.

How did you come to be in this house?We lived in Blakeley for a year, then moved to this area. We were 7 years in a 2 bedroom house just nearby. The house was too small. We had problems because the teenagers there were putting firebombs through the letterbox at night. The police came but it didn’t stop. We asked our housing association to move us, it took 5 months and the firebombs were still going on. We have had no problems since we moved here. This house is bigger and we like that it has a garden for the children to play in. We like this area and living in Manchester.

Where do you go now for support?The Kosovan families who came together have all kept in close contact. We often meet up. I also have some family in Manchester and elsewhere in England. My brother-in-law is married to an English woman. I don’t want to cause headaches for one person, so I ask different people when I need help.

What has your family achieved here?My children have all profited from being here. They were so young when they came they have been able to move on. They feel English not Kosovan because they’ve grown up here and they have their own friends. We have been back to Kosovo and they like it, but they don’t have the same feeling for it that we do. My eldest daughter is studying hair and beauty. Our second child will always need our support and to live with us. Our third child is top of his class and is very good at mathematics, he wants to work for NASA or study medicine – he was invited specially to meet the Mayor of Manchester. Our two youngest daughters are also clever and interesting to talk to. That’s what we want as parents - for our children to move forwards, be successful and have freedom.

Mr Shkoza from Kosovo lives in north Manchester

Bekele from Ethiopia lives in East Manchester

What led you to Manchester? We had a really good life in Ethiopia, we had everything. Then politics came between my ambitions there so we just left there. I came to Manchester in 2003 with my son. We had to travel from Ethiopia through other places to get here. I got my refugee status the same year we arrived. My wife and other children joined me three and a half years ago.

How have things changed since you arrived here?When we arrived everything was set in a dark area, we didn’t know what to do, you have to just find and get it. I met some good people including the Routes Project. They introduced us to a lot of people. After I met them then other things started. Things are entirely different now, it’s a big improvement. We are accustomed to the culture, traditions, people and systems, everything is very clear now. If I want to do something I know who to contact, and when and where to go.

What about the language?I studied English at university at home. My children speak an entirely different kind of

English – just like other young people here. It seems to me they don’t speak English at all! I sometimes just keep quiet when they talk to me, as if I haven’t understood.

What work do you do?I was a volunteer for the Routes Project before studying for my MBA in 2006-7. Then I worked in several companies including as the Managing Director of a coffee company and as Resettlement Programme Coordinator for Refugee Action. The budget cuts led to the programme closing so now I work freelance as an interpreter and translator, and do some advice work.

What do you think of Manchester? I have lived in different areas of Manchester. We moved to this house when my wife and children joined me. I have made some good friends through work. My children all have their own friends and are increasingly independent. I would have left Manchester if not for the Routes Project and other people around me, but there’s no reason to leave. I feel supported here so I stay because of them. I have friends in London - I like it there – but I don’t want to leave this support. But I don’t like the weather in Manchester!

What has your family achieved here?Nothing came between our objectives and ourselves. We are able to follow the same practice as our background at home. I know what to do with my family and my family understands what is expected of them. They know they have to go to school and study, the way to success, what education is. Education is very important to us and all our children had been to good schools. My eldest child was at university at home and has managed to continue to study medicine here. Another child is studying dentistry. We have not started from scratch – we had already gone some half way or more before we came here. We had really to make ourselves ready for the challenge we had here. To live here successfully you have to do as other people do. It’s working.

That’s what we want as parents - for our children to move forwards, be successful and have freedom

We have not started from scratch – we had already gone some half way or more before we came here

To live here successfully you have to do as other people do. It’s working

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Aisha from Somalia lives in central ManchesterWhat route did you take to Manchester? We left Somalia and went to Kenya, Yemen and Saudi Arabia before coming to Manchester. I have 7 children aged 5 to 17 – the two youngest were born here.

What has been most difficult?We have lived in 7 houses and a hostel whilst being in Manchester. We had problems with neighbours in two places. Quite early on we lived in Cheetham Hill - a neighbour was aggressive and racist. They kicked down our door. The police came and they ran away but the police didn’t do enough or speak to me nicely. I can’t forget that day. I was scared.

We lived for 4 years in a damp house where the landlord started repairs but didn’t finish them. The house we live in now is also damp, and we won’t be able to afford the rent soon because of housing benefit changes. Also it is very far from where the children are at school, I spend a lot of time and petrol driving there and back. We will have to move again and probably will have to get a house that is too small, but at least it will be closer to our family and schools.

I haven’t been able to get all my children into the same primary school – I have appealed and am waiting to hear. At the moment I am doing so much driving – the schools are miles apart. My youngest daughter is only 5 and she gets too tired because I can’t get her home early enough. I also don’t get any rest.

What about the language?I couldn’t speak any English when we first came, but I knew from living in Kenya how important it is to learn the language so I don’t have to rely on others. I took some classes but I mainly just tried very hard to learn to speak. My children and my brother help me when things are written. My children all speak in English, the youngest two don’t understand our home language.

What support do you have?Routes really helped me to settle in the days before I could speak English. They did an excep-tional job. I wish I could still use their service sometimes. My mother, brothers and cousins are also now in Manchester so we can see them all. It’s been better since my family came as I have

The house we live in now is also damp, and we won’t be able to afford the rent soon because of housing benefit changes

Fatima from Somalia lives in central Manchester

Who came with you to Manchester?I came with my three children in 2003. My husband joined us a few years later. I didn’t know any English and didn’t have any work experience.

How have things changed since you arrived here?My children were very disrupted by the move to Manchester, it was very hard for them. At first we lived in Gorton for a year. Routes took us on a trip to Blackpool 4 months after we arrived. My children have never forgotten that time. It was really important for them to enjoy themselves and see somewhere else. The sea is black not blue like my country. Routes came when we needed them, it was unique help which gave us a good start. After we got refugee status they helped us to get this house. I didn’t want to come here as I didn’t know the area but the council insisted. I soon realised this was a good area for us to live in. There are many different families here including Somali families. I feel much safer now my husband is also here.

What about the language?My biggest achievement is learning English and the culture. Life was very difficult when we first came. Sometimes we would go to appointments and there wouldn’t be an interpreter even though one was booked. It was hard to get myself understood. And we used to get lost all the time. I worked very hard to learn English. Now I can do everything I need to for daily life. It took about 5 years to build enough confidence to do everything for ourselves.

How do you spend your time?Having no work is hard and very stressful. I don’t

like being in the house all day. I study 4 days a week - English, maths, interpreting and health & social care. I am keen to work and am waiting to become a volunteer at our local Sure Start centre. I am also learning to drive. My husband is working as a taxi driver and is also able to drive a bus. I help my friends and neighbours sometimes who don’t know English.

What do you think of Manchester? We are settled here. The shops are near and we have good neighbours. I don’t like it in the summer round here when there are a lot of young people out on the streets. And we don’t like the weather. We have visited friends in London and Birmingham. London is good but it’s very fast, busy and noisy. Here is better. We like to go into the city centre and to the Trafford Centre.

What has your family achieved here?My children are doing well, we are happy with their education. Their reports are all very good. They are growing up, have made good friends and are settled and becoming independent. My eldest son is just about to qualify as a physiotherapist. I am proud of them and grateful for the change being in Manchester gives us.

Now I can do everything I need to for daily life. It took about 5 years to build enough confidence to do everything for ourselves

My children are doing well, we are happy with their education

more support. I don’t need help very often now but when I do other services don’t do things the way you want - you have to queue for a long time and it’s a different person every time. Routes is tailored and they come to your home. As a refu-gee person you will never be 100% independent.How is your family’s health?Two of my daughters have got asthma from living in damp housing and the climate here. Every house you go to there is asthma. I want to put down laminate flooring instead of these old carpets, but I’m not allowed to.

What has your family achieved here?Because I made such an effort to learn English, now when I go out and want things I can do everything for myself. This is a big achievement for me. I am proud to see my children growing up but I would like to keep them little as I’m not ready for it! They are in good schools and doing well, even though we have moved so much. The eldest one is studying A levels and wants to be a midwife. She works for a language school one day a week and gets paid a small amount. We like living here.

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aasimWhat led you to Manchester? I was 6 when my dad was killed in Pakistan, we had to leave because it wasn’t safe to stay. My mum changed after that. We still don’t know who killed him. We came to Manchester in 2003.

How have things changed since you arrived here?When we first came, we were living in Gorton – it was a nightmare, bad experience because of the racism & bullying. We were the only Asian family. We went through a hard time and had nobody to help us out until we had Routes turn up. It totally changes your life. Routes took me to English lessons and introduced me to lads from my own community. Now I have friends all over Man-chester from all communities that I’ve met from school, college and the gym. It doesn’t take me long to get mixed up with people.

How is your mum?My mum’s health hasn’t been good recently. She’s had a lot of stress since my dad died and misses her life with him back in Pakistan. She had a stroke 5 years ago and has diabetes. She used to go out a lot, and do volunteering and be in the Routes Women’s Group. Now she stays home more, she has friends who come to see her. I’ll live with my mum all my life, can’t leave my mum, no way.

Aasim from Pakistan lives in central Manchester

What do you think of Manchester? When we got our refugee status in 2007, we were allowed to move house, we’d been waiting years for this moment. My mum cried all day. We bought a puppy cos I’d always wanted one. We love it where we live now, this is our home now, this is our life. I’ll never leave Manchester.

Who are your closest friends?Our next door neighbours are very good friends, we do lots of things together. He treats my mum like a son. Mum gets up in the morning and makes him our tea, he’d never had it before and now she makes it for him every morning. That’s our family, ain’t got no other family than that. They’ve always been there for us when we needed them, and we do the same.

What work do you do?I’m the man of the house now. My youngest sister calls me dad, that makes me happy. I passed my driving test when I was 17 – I didn’t tell no-one until I’d passed. I saved up and bought a car 4 months later. Everything is easier with a car, like shopping and taking my sisters to school and college. I didn’t like my mum having to go on buses, especially when she was ill. I’ve got my A levels, but I was already doing some odd jobs. I’ve done all sorts of work. I’m going to do security during the Olympics and I’m getting my taxi driver’s badge.

Have you ever been back to Pakistan?We went back for the first time last year. We went to dad’s grave, it was very hard but it freshens you up. I was very happy to sit down with my dad’s mates and talk for hours. I need to know who my dad was. I feel it when I see my mates with their dads. Mine’s not there for me. In one place I feel happy but in another I feel lonely, I’ve got no-one to call dad.

What has your family achieved here?We have a better life here. My sisters are study-ing – the youngest one had the best results in her class. One wants to be a nurse and the other a doctor. My eldest sister is doing a placement in a care home.

Any problems that come up we can deal with ourselves. We help other families too when we can.

We love it where we live, this is our home now, this is our life. I’ll never leave Manchester

What was it like coming to Manchester? I was 13 when our family came to Manchester in 2002 because of the war in our country. I was taken from family, friends and school to where no one knows you and you can’t speak the language, just a few words. It was hard being a complete stranger, not knowing if you’re welcome or not.

How have things changed since you arrived here?When we first came, we lived in some horrible places. We experienced lots of racism, especially aggression. My mum was depressed and crying all the time. Routes helped us get better housing. And they took us out on trips to other places like Blackpool. That helped us to see that we were not alone and there were other people in the same situation - before we felt very isolated. It took 7 years for us to get refugee status. We moved to this house in 2003 and like it here. We have good neighbours and it’s very convenient for local shops and getting into Manchester. We have made good family friends at the Iraqi mosque.

What has been most difficult?In Iraq my mum and dad were both in professional occupations and very well respected. We had a big house, mum says it was a ‘five star lifestyle’. Now neither my mum or dad are able to work. My dad was injured in the war – he gets depressed as he can’t find any work here. Also his

disability is no longer recognised for benefits. He is considering going back to find work or study in Iraq, even though it is still dangerous there. My mum started a business, but then got ill with cancer. I helped but we had to sell the business, it was too much. Now she is waiting for an operation because of arthritis. What about the language?When we arrived only my mum could speak English. At school I was put into classes just focusing on teaching English. I was determined to learn - it took nearly two years before I was confident in speaking and writing English.

What has it been like to grow up here?I hated high school. I got bullied a lot because I wanted to learn. When they couldn’t get me because I was a girl, they went for my younger brother. But then they found me there to stop them. I was happy when I went to 6th form college as I made my own friends. I did a lot of things there, was very involved in college life. I got chance to really become me. I have continued that at university. I am very independent, sometimes it’s hard to ask for help. I pick myself up and just get on with it. Whatever I went through wasn’t as bad as other people I know.

Have you ever been back to Iraq?Now I go back to Iraq regularly. It’s like feeling

like I’m back home, I release myself from the pressure, all the stress and demands I go through here. I forget that I’ve been out of the country for 10 years, and I get close to my family there again. I would love to stay in Iraq - you have to give something back to the place you were born, but then this is my home as well.

What’s next for you?My brothers and I are all doing well in our studies. My parents want us to be successful but they don’t push, they believe in us. I also work part time and enjoy it. It’s a scary time as I am about to graduate and don’t know what’s next. I know other people view me highly but I’m not sure. I want to do something that I really love. I have a lot of options and it’s difficult to choose. Otherwise I’m happy, I love Manchester, I have my freedom and I have friends to hand who are like family.

Luja from Iraq lives in north Manchester

I love Manchester, I have my freedom and I have friends to hand who are like family

I was determined to learn - it took nearly two years before I was confident in speaking and writing English

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All of the families are very settled in Manchester and have progressed a long way since their involvement with the project. Children and young people in particular are thriving. The Routes service model builds on the strengths of families and these continue to direct the lives of the families now. It is very clear that whatever background families come with to the UK - cultural, educational, class, race – strongly influences them. Some families’ lives are also enhanced by having access to services here, especially health and education, that they may not have had in their home country.

Long term outcomes

Empowerment and IndependenceFamilies have achieved a range of levels of independence, most feel completely independent. A couple of families need more regular support which they mainly get from within their own cultural community. Some families offer support to others they know who are in need.

Some factors which support independence are:• Understanding English• Understanding the local geography and culture• Understanding the bureaucratic systems • Being able to find employment• Being in suitable housing in an area they like

Half of parents have found work although this is not always sustained, most other parents wished to work. Families often need to have their income supplemented by benefits even when working, especially for housing and children. The standard of living of at least half of the families is considerably below that they have come from.

Health and WellbeingIn the majority of families, parents have experienced serious health problems, including cancer, stress and depression. For some (and it may be true for all) this can clearly be linked to the difficulties they experienced that led them to coming to the UK and the change in their lives this has meant.

The children in families are in better health (according to descriptions by their parents) including most of those with health issues they arrived with. The main health issues occurring for children since arriving were only mentioned in a minority of families and include asthma and post traumatic stress.

Summary of what we found from the interviews

Anna from the Czech Republic lives in central Manchester

What led you to Manchester? I came in 2002 with my two sons and my daugh-ter. We experienced racism in Czech because we are Roma, they don’t like our skin colour. Things are getting worse there all the time. We went to Birmingham first, then were moved to Manches-ter by the asylum system even though we wanted to stay where we were. It took some years to get our refugee status.

How have things changed since you arrived here?My two eldest children are adults. They both live in north Manchester, are working and have their own lives. We see each other at the weekends. My youngest child is disabled – in Czech they had no belief in him, I knew he was clever. Routes gave us a lot of help especially with housing and schools. My son has been to special school and now goes to college studying making movies and media. Our house is adapted for him.

What has been most difficult?When we first came to Manchester we lived in Openshaw, then Moss Side. We moved to this house three years ago and I like it. It wasn’t nice when we came, but I have decorated it all and spent lots of money to make it good. But I don’t like this area. Every evening, when it’s not raining, a big group of young people gathers outside here drinking and smoking. We get very scared and

have put big locks on the door. The police come but can’t do anything. I have asked our housing association to move us over a year ago, but have been told we just have to wait. Most things I can do for myself but I’m not getting anywhere with this. What about the language?We couldn’t speak any English when we arrived. Me and the older children went to classes for 3 months then just learnt as we went along. My son learnt at school, he is fluent in English.

How do you spend your time?I had a job for a while, but the company was closed down. I have never slept well, and I get a lot of migraines. I often feel lonely as I’m at home alone. I had a problem with both legs and have had operations on them both, they still get painful. When my son isn’t in college we do lots of things together like swimming, going to the cinema, going to Piccadilly and the Trafford Cen-tre. We go everywhere by bus.

What has been your main achievement here?My son is doing really well. He has friends from school and is in sports teams for football and basketball. He talks to them every day from his room by Skype and Facebook. He loves Manches-ter United, is a big fan. Life is better here for my son and that’s what I wanted.

Life is better here for my son and that’s what I wanted.

I often feel lonely as I’m at home alone

Most families have become settled in their areas and are happy where they live

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Three families have children with long term health conditions, and all are receiving educational and support services which allow their children to thrive, and are very much valued by parents. These parents do however have very significant demands on their own time and energy with potential consequences for their own health.

More than half of families have experienced stress and feeling unsafe where they have lived in Manchester, due to racism and neighbourhood problems. For a couple of families housing problems are ongoing.

Development of NetworksAll the parents have developed networks that give them support. Most families have become settled in their areas and are happy where they live. Various networks are in use including through their local area (eg neighbours), their home community in Manchester, their religious community (eg church or mosque), their wider family in Manchester, and people met through work. Only one parent appeared to be relatively isolated but does have a small family network.

Young people are developing their own networks through school, college and local area.

Education Education of their children is of high importance for all the families, and all parents said their

children are doing well educationally. For about a third of families the children were already receiving a high standard of education in their home country. Ambition levels are relatively high - many of those old enough are considering or in training for professional occupations, especially in health and social care fields, but also in scientific and technical areas.

In half of families, the parents have also accessed a sustained amount of education. This has been for two reasons – to learn English and to develop their employment skills. Naturally it is a longer process for those who have not previously worked and could not speak English on arrival. Those parents are only just getting to a point where they can start to take up either employment or employment specific training.

For those parents who arrived with a high level of education, this has helped them to settle into their new lives here, to continue training and for most to gain work – whether paid or voluntary.

The Family as a UnitFamilies are all operating together closely, both because that is their culture and because their circumstances of being displaced from their home country make this even more essential. For half of the families, there are wider family networks in Manchester. For those who are able

to have links with family elsewhere in the UK or the world, these are of great importance. Wider family links have implications for the general well being of family members.

It is striking from the interviews with young people the significant role they are playing in their families, and the need for this has been heightened by the circumstances leading them to be refugees. Both young people described a high level of independence yet also had a need for their own support.

Barriers to long term outcomes

Lack of employment This has an effect on both independence and parental health and well being. Reasons why parents are unable to work include:• The regulations for asylum seekers do not allow people to work. Families may spend many years in this state and it is then very difficult to find suitable work.• Lack of previous work experience• Previous work experience is not applicable in UK • Family health needs – either for parents themselves or as carers

For those families without work, parents experience poor well being and the success of their children inevitably becomes a main focus.

LanguageParents in all families had learnt English to at least a basic conversational level. Their confidence in speaking was sometimes less than their capabilities, as was apparent in the meetings with interpreters –some parents were clearly capable without an interpreter. For those with the least English, this inhibits their ability to be independent and to gain employment.

Routes service model

The families all very much appreciated the support they had received from Routes. It was extraordinary how much people remembered and valued their own worker and other project staff. This confirms the close and personal relationship developed with the families. The service model of providing strengths based early support to families has very much been validated by the evidence towards the long term outcomes.

Families have achieved a range of levels of independence, most feel completely independent

In half of families, the parents have also accessed a sustained amount of education. This has been for two reasons – to learn English and to develop their employment skills.

Education of their children is of high importance for all the families, and all parents said their children are doing well educationally.

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A timeline of the Routes Project

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The Routes Project has shown an unwavering level of commitment over the past 10 years, ensuring that families who are new to Manchester have the best possible start and are in the position to take advantage of all the opportunities available in the city. Through working with families, the knowledge that the Routes Project possesses is transferred to families, creating independence and autonomy for individuals and subsequently within our communities. The evidence for this is illustrated in our 10 year study.

The need for a holistic service targeting newly arrived families is ever present due to the continued migration of families to the City of Manchester. Consequently, the pressure on the Routes Project has increased, with more and more families requiring support to access services and become settled. Juxtaposed with this, the economic climate in which we operate is unsympathetic to rising levels of poverty. The onset of austerity measures has affected the projects level of funding. However, Routes remains unrelenting in the level of passion it has for improving the lives of children and families living in Manchester.

A culture of innovation and creativity within BHA has helped the Routes Project to overcome fiscal pressures by maximising opportunities and identifying new ways of working. In the past 12 months, the Routes Project has developed a Community Interpretation Service which

seeks to utilise the skills within newly arrived communities, provide career development opportunities for individuals and provide a unique, high quality service to stakeholders from across the city.

The Routes Project is also encouraging public services including educational institutions to purchase the expertise and knowledge direct from BHA. Our packages of Family Support/ Home- School Liaison and Bilingual Support offer schools and other services the opportunity to tap into a high quality, efficient and cost effective resource.

We continue to ensure that the core values and features of the service are at the heart of our work. Routes has a learning culture, both in terms of sharing our expertise and acquiring new knowledge. The Routes Project is presently the lead partner in a European Union funded project, What’s Working. The project focuses on best practice models of educational inclusion with Roma children. The opportunity to learn from partners in Spain and the Netherlands, whilst sharing our own practices will be instrumental in building on the success of the Routes Project.

The Routes Project has always endeavoured to work collaboratively with partners in the voluntary, public and private sectors. Whilst partnership working can become more complex in a challenging economic climate, we remain fully committed to ensuring families needs are met by sharing of knowledge and resources.

We anticipate that migration to Manchester

will not cease and, on the contrary, numbers will continue to rise. The need for a targeted service providing an early offer of help will still be required, as will the need to continue to work in partnership. The Routes service model has been proven to be both effective and flexible to the changing environment and will remain intrinsic to our practice.

The Routes Project remains optimistic, despite the challenging times in which we operate and remains steadfast in ensuring that newly arrived children and families have the same opportunity to succeed in Manchester as everyone else. The commitment to equality has driven the Routes Project forward for a decade and will continue to be the driving force in the foreseeable future.

Jennifer DaviesProject CoordinatorOctober 2012

The future of the Routes Project

The Routes Project would like to thank everyone who has helped to support the project, past and present, in achieving positive outcomes for newly arrived children, young people and their families including:

Manchester City Council PartnersCommissioning and Partnerships TeamEmotional Trauma Support Team First Response TeamIntegrated Admissions Team International New Arrivals, Travellers and Supplementary Schools Team Manchester AdviceManchester Children’s FundMulti-Agency Refugee Integration in Manchester (MARIM)Regeneration Teams

Voluntary Sector PartnersBig Life CompanyCheetham Hill Advice CentreCheetham Hill Welcome CentreCitizens Advice BureauGaddum CentreMaccManchester Community CentralRainbow HavenRefugee ActionThe Oasis CentreWood Street Mission

Private Sector PartnersHappy Homes Property ManagementPriority Properties North West

Other PartnersConnexionsGovernment Office NorthwestGreater Manchester Police (GMP)Manchester Metropolitan UniversityManchester MuseumManchester NHS Manchester Primary and Secondary SchoolsThe University of Salford

Acknowledgements

IndividualsAll the Routes and BHA staff, volunteers and students, past and present, who have contributed to the success of the project in countless ways.

Sarah Forster for her contributions to the project including expertise and encouragement to staff over the past decade.

We especially wish to thank the families who have contributed to this report and the thousands of families who the Routes Project has met over the past ten years. Together they inspire us every day by showing an endless amount of resilience and optimism.

The service model is effective and flexible to the changing environment and will remain intrinsic to our practice.

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BHADemocracy House609 Stretford RoadOld TraffordManchesterM16 0QA

Telephone: 0845 450 4247Fax: 0845 450 3247Email: info@theBHA.org.ukWeb: www.theBHA.org.uk

Company No. 3818058Charity No. 1079727

Issued November 2012

The Routes Project can be contacted byTelephone: 0161 874 2164Email: routes@theBHA.org.ukWeb: www.theBHA.org.uk/routes