Colchester City of Sanctuary

Afghan Interpreters – Ex-gratia scheme 2014

The first group of Afghan interpreters arrived in Colchester in September 2014, then every month except December until March 2015. 57 individuals in total (including wives and children), settled over a six-month period.

Syrian Refugee Resettlement schemes 2015

Since 2015, 60 individuals have resettled in Colchester under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (SVPRS) and a further 5 under the VPRS - a total of 15 families. The latest individuals arriving in June 2021.

Afghan relocation and assistance policy (ARAP)

This scheme offers relocation or other assistance to former Locally Employed Staff (LES) in Afghanistan to reflect the changing situation in Afghanistan. Colchester currently hosts 12 families under this scheme.

Afghan Citizens resettlement scheme (ACRS)

This scheme will resettle up to 20,000 people at risk, with 5,000 in the first year. The scheme prioritises: - those who have assisted the UK efforts in Afghanistan and stood up for values such as democracy, women's rights, freedom of speech, and rule of law – vulnerable people, including women and girls at risk. Two families have settled in Colchester so far.

UK Resettlement Scheme

The global resettlement scheme is open to vulnerable refugees around the world. Individuals coming through this scheme are assessed and referred by the UNHCR according to their criteria, which is based on people’s needs and vulnerabilities.

People coming via this route only move to the UK once suitable accommodation is in place for them. Since its launch in 2021, the UK has taken refugees through this route from countries including Ethiopia, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen. Colchester has not received anyone under this route yet

Colchester is proud to have housed more refugees than any other district in Essex.

How do the schemes work?

The UK Home Office is responsible for setting the criteria under which people are resettled into the UK and oversees the schemes. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) submits potential cases for the Home Office to consider. Once a case has passed this initial stage, the International Organisation for Migration (IoM) will conduct a full medical examination. Case files including this information are then sent to participating local authorities for consideration on the grounds of medical needs, availability of accommodation, and the potential impact on local services.

What is the impact on housing and services in Colchester?

Home Office funding is used to secure private rented accommodation for the first year. We have not used the City Council's existing housing stock, meaning that social housing waiting lists have not been affected.

Colchester Schools receive a grant for each child attending under the resettlement schemes. This is to aid their education and integration into the UK's school system, whilst reducing the impact on school budgets.

Resettlement is not part of the asylum process — different policies and procedures apply to people seeking asylum in the UK. People seeking asylum can reach the UK in a variety of ways and will submit an application for asylum once in the UK. Their right to remain in the UK will be determined by the government upon assessing their claim for international protection. People seeking asylum receive limited support while their claim is being assessed.

How can you help?

If you have any properties to offer for refugees (preferably at the local housing allowance (LHA) rate), contact Essex Integration, using their contact page. Housing offers will be subject to a safety inspection by Colchester City Councils Private Sector Housing Team.