Report hails Argyll's refugee re-housing

More than 300 Ukrainian people are being supported in Argyll and Bute, with many in hotels before being allocated a home, the report said.

A number of refugees who gave feedback for the 34-page report said they had not felt pressurised to move out of their hotels too early or to find work.

However, some of those interviewed by the authors of the report said they had been stressed by the lack of information about Argyll. Apart from hearing about the area’s "beauty" from staff at the Welcome Hubs when they first arrived in Scotland, it was taxi drivers who gave them the basic information they needed en route about their destinations.

The report also highlighted many businesses in the area have benefitted from the arrival of hundreds of people 
from Ukraine keen to seek work. During interviews with the council’s resettlement team, it was 
remarked how quickly the resettled population from Ukraine actively sought out employment 
opportunities.

For the most part, people  found seasonal work in the service sector, in hotels in particular, and low-skilled positions needing limited English. 

"While the resettlement team supported people to apply for Universal Credit and complete 
other forms for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the majority of those resettled 
to Argyll and Bute were self-dependent in terms of seeking out employment," said the report.

Their job searches involved local Facebook groups, word of mouth, the Job Centre, community events organised by the resettlement team, websites with job listings, and local notice boards.  

Many of those living with sponsors were often able to find employment through their 
sponsors or their contacts. 

“Importantly, the resettlement team were able to combine clear messaging concerning the temporariness of the hotel accommodation, with person-centred assistance with finding long-term accommodation. Participants we interviewed therefore stated that they did not feel pressured into accepting leaving the hotels. Aside from clear messaging, research participants noted their appreciation for the efforts that the resettlement team made to assist with their moves from hotel accommodation to both sponsored and social housing," said  the report.

Resettlement team members helped set up meetings with new sponsors and often accompanied refugees viewing social housing.  Where people were moved into unfurnished accommodation, the resettlement team "went to great lengths" to ensure that people had everything they needed. One refugee mentioned getting help for a £836 grant to buy furniture, another said even the beds were ready when they arrived at their flat, another said the fridge was full, utility bills were explained and there was help signing up children at schools.