Introduction
Somerset Council is committed to providing a safe and dignified environment for forcibly displaced people through planned resettlement pathways.
Our support began in 2016, when we welcomed our first refugee family through the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS). We work alongside local communities, charities, and national government to ensure resettled refugees are welcomed and supported to integrate as self-sufficient members of the community – rebuilding their lives in peace after forced displacement.
What are Resettlement Pathways?
Resettlement pathways are structured routes through which refugees are identified and supported, moving from forced displacement to safety here in Somerset and across the United Kingdom.
Resettlement Programmes
United Kingdom Resettlement Scheme (UKRS)
The UKRS supports the most vulnerable refugees globally, identified by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and/or the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Through this safe and planned route, refugees can rebuild their lives in safety here in the United Kingdom.
Afghan Resettlement Programmes (ARP) and Communities for Afghans
These programmes provide up to 3 to 5-years of support to families who worked alongside British military forces in Afghanistan, in either a military or civilian capacity. They provide a pathway to safety and stability in the United Kingdom.
More information about Afghan resettlement can be found on GOV.UK.