Syrian Refugees, Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS)
In September 2015, the government announced that the UK would resettle up to 20,000 Syrian refugees over the next five years.
Peterborough City Council (PCC) agreed to resettle around one hundred Syrian refugees in Peterborough over the next five years. The first five families (approximately 23 people) arrived at the end of September 2016 as part of the Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement Program.
PARCA was nominated by Peterborough City Council, to support newly arrived refugees through the scheme that was created by the Home Office-Integration & Cohesion.
PARCA’s team ensures that the beneficiaries are provided with a dedicated source of advice and support to assist with registering for mainstream benefits and services, and signposting to other agencies that offer information, advice & guidance where necessary.
The support that we give to the Syrian Refugee includes:
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a) Meet and Greet at the airport
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b) Orientation Package
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Contact information for the Emergency Services
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Transport (some support with bus fares/ guide how to use public transportation)
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Faith groups ( connecting families to different and relevant faith support groups e.g. Mosques and Churches)
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Family support (introducing families to activities where they can integrate into the community)
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Housing & safety
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Health (registering families to local GP's and assisting them with booking appointments)
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Utilities & banking (registering families to utility companies and creating bank accounts for them)
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DWP / Job Centre Plus (registering the families with Job Centre so they can receive welfare and support)
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Education (registering families to relevant schools, and training courses)
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HMRC & Customs
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c) Integration support
Introducing the family to PARCA where they can get involved in different activities and events to meet new people. Also to show the families around Peterborough and their neighbourhood so they can build their confidence to independently travel around Peterborough.