How the lives of Syrian refugees are being transformed in Scotland

A group of Syrian refugees met with MSPs yesterday to tell them how their lives are being transformed thanks to the expertise of the staff at Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC).

The group who arrived in Scotland through the UK Settlement Scheme, met Sarah Boyack MSP and Foysol Choudhury MSP to tell them how they are adjusting to their new life in Scotland. 

The group meets up every Friday to learn digital skills using devices provided by ELREC and Connecting Scotland through its Kickstart Scheme. The group receives weekly training at ELREC to help them to improve their English and computer literacy.

Kickstart staff Hassan and Mohammad are originally from Syria.  They have been helping the group adjust to life in Scotland by providing practical help to complete forms and register for banking.

With the help of Hasan and Mohammad who acted as translators, Sarah Boyack MSP, and Foysol Choudhury MSP heard some of the issues the group are facing since their move to Scotland.

Language barriers are a huge issue.  Inappropriate accommodation which is simply too small for traditional large Syrian families is causing significant problems too.  Some families remain in temporary accommodation for several years, and the lack of affordable housing has only intensified the problem. 

The group spoke of health conditions and some are waiting for surgeries. Other families are suffering mentally from the trauma of war and resettlement, and many are under a great deal of stress trying to obtain VISAs for relatives who have been left behind in Syria.

Foysol Choudhury, MSP for Lothian Region and ELREC’s Chairperson, said: “I’d like to thank the group for giving us their time today and ELREC for hosting the meeting.   

“From our conversations, it is clear there are many issues for refugees, but I was heartened to hear the support ELREC can and is providing to help them adjust to their new life in Scotland.

“I hope this meeting showed the group they are a valued part of the community and reassures them that we will take forward the issues we discussed”.