“I want Devon to be a place of sanctuary and hope, where there is a culture of welcome and hospitality.”
Angela Welch, Migration and Resettlement Lead, Devon County Council
The migration and resettlement team was created in 2022 in response to changing migration patterns and a recognition that Devon County Council needs to develop a more integrated and sustainable strategy in response to migration and integration.
We introduce you to the work and priorities of the Migration and Resettlement Team – its creation marking a new commitment to developing a sustainable and integrated approach to supporting migration, resettlement and integration in Devon.
What the team do
Supporting ethnically diverse communities together:
- Welcoming people seeking protection and those wishing to build new lives in Devon
- Increasing English language classes for migrant workers, asylum seekers and refugees
- Resettlement schemes helping refugees with a new start
- Building community and cultural connections and creating an anti-racist future
- Supporting asylum seekers and refugees temporarily accommodated in hotels
None of this work would be possible without the collaborative support of all our partners, including district, town and parish councils, other statutory partners, voluntary community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations and education providers.
Who’s who
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Community Engagement:
ESOL@devon.gov.uk
- Dave Wright (lead)
- Ameera Khreisheh
- Ana Barbosa
- Phillip Ash
Our team works to improve the quantity and quality of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes available to refugees, asylum seekers, and migrant workers across Devon. We work closely with English language learning providers from all sectors: Learn Devon, FE colleges, voluntary sector organisations, and private language schools. We can help with finding suitable classes, advice and support for volunteer teachers, and access to teaching and learning resources.
The other strand of our work, linked to our efforts to support collaboration and networking among ESOL providers, is focused on improving cross-cultural and cross-sector engagement and understanding.
Click the links below for information and services:
Events – Cultural events, activities, meetings, festivals
Join an English class– Find a free class in your area using our interactive map
Free English resources– English resources for teachers and students, for all levels
Directory for Ethnically Diverse Communities – Details of organisations and agencies, from all sectors, offering support services for Ethnically Diverse communities in Devon
Business and Employment Support – Employment support, English for the workplace, advice on starting a business
Early help – Support for families who may be struggling
HAF Programme – Holiday Activities and Food Programme
Resettlement:
refugeeresettlement@devon.gov.uk
- Stephen Matthewman (lead)
- Chantelle Newlove
DCC’s Resettlement Team oversees the local implementation of a range of UK Government Resettlement programmes from countries such as Syria and Afghanistan. Further information about each programme supported can be found at: https://www.devon.gov.uk/migration-and-resettlement/resettlement/ .
We also provide support and assistance to Community Sponsorship Groups who are seeking to welcome and support a resettled family in their local community.
Resettlement services for refugee families
Homes for Ukraine:
health.ukraineresettlement-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
- Stephen Hodge (lead)
- Anne Watson
- Emily Mckeown
- Gill Kamara
- Julian Teys
- Lily Richards
- Margaret Ritchie
We work together with our District partners to ensure government guidelines are followed to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for those leaving Ukraine and moving to the UK. This includes maintaining and updating the Government’s database for the Homes for Ukraine scheme, completing DBS interviews and checks, and assisting guests, sponsors and districts with any queries.
Community bridging:
communitybridgingteam@devon.gov.uk
- Andrea Neacsu (lead)
- Jeanette Haywood
- Kerry Rochford
- Paul Norris
The Community Bridging Team supports families and individuals who are resettling in Devon having left their home country because their lives are at risk. We offer assistance with health and wellbeing, understanding cultural differences, finding community resources, finances and benefits, education, employment, parenting and supporting people without recourse to public funds.
For more information on the services we provide, and for referral forms, check out our page here:
Migration and Resettlement Team priorities 2023
- Do more to tackle racism in Devon.
- Support the development of a stronger voice for refugees and other migrants by encouraging adults and children to speak about their experiences of life in Devon.
- Improve information sharing, engagement and networking in relation to all work with ethnically diverse communities – both internally within DCC and externally with partners.
- Improve economic integration by developing stronger career or employment pathways for migrant workers, refugees, speakers of other languages.
- Ensure the welfare and wellbeing needs of resettling families are responded to.
- Recruit landlords and community sponsors to provide homes for resettlement.
- Support families in bridging hotels to move on to a home of their own.
- Support the Homes for Ukraine Scheme as part of a Team Devon approach, including safeguarding checks and sponsor recruitment.
- Work collaboratively to respond to the needs of people seeking asylum in Devon, in hotel settings and through dispersal.
- Continue building English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) capacity and networks across the county.