Did it work? The Syrian Resettlement Scheme
Following the conclusion of Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (SVPRS) projects at RMC in November 2024, we take a look back at how the programme supported families as well as the underlying policies, challenges, successes and its legacy.
In 2015, the UK government committed to resettling 20,000 Syrian refugees through a programme specifically designed for vulnerable survivors of the Syrian conflict. While earlier schemes like the Gateway programme had already been supporting refugees, this initiative focused solely on those displaced by the war.
What is Resettlement?
Resettlement is the process of providing individuals and families displaced by conflict, persecution, or humanitarian crises with a safe place to start over. Resettlement programmes go far beyond providing immediate shelter and essential support. They include guiding individuals through the process of rebuilding their lives by securing sustainable housing, navigating new and complex healthcare systems, education and employment support as well as making connections within a new community and much more.
SVPRS in Walsall and Wolverhampton
In March 2017, the first six families arrived under SVPRS. Three families were settled in Wolverhampton and three in Walsall. From the start, it was clear how resilient these individuals were. Many had endured years of trauma, health challenges, and displacement in refugee camps before reaching the UK. Over the next two and a half years, 20 individuals were resettled in Walsall and 106 in Wolverhampton plus a few more who were born in the UK.
Planning Before Arrival
The resettlement process begins long before families arrive. When a family is referred to a local authority, we receive details about their background, health needs, English skills, and work experience. This helps us prepare for their support needs.
We work with housing providers to ensure their accommodation is ready, furnished, and equipped with essentials like utilities, food, and household items. We also liaise with GP surgeries, schools, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and other services to ensure support is in place from day one.
The Arrival Process
Families typically arrived on early morning flights to Birmingham Airport. RMC staff met them and took them to their new homes, staying until they felt settled.
The first few days were busy with appointments to arrange housing agreements, register with GPs, open bank accounts, and enrol children in school and parents in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes. To help families adjust to life in the UK, RMC held welcome events to introduce them to British laws, customs, and day-to-day life—very different from what they had known in Syria.
Becoming Part of the Black Country Community
After the initial arrival period, families began the longer journey of integrating into their new communities. Every individual faced unique challenges and opportunities, influenced by their age, education, health, and whether they arrived alone or with family.
At RMC, we developed Personal Independence and Safety Plans to guide each family through their first five years in the UK. These plans were tailored to their goals in areas like employment, health, and community integration. By setting milestones and providing ongoing support, we helped families not just survive but thrive.
For example, Khaled arrived with no English skills but was named “Learner of the Year” at Walsall College in 2019. He began volunteering at RMC and now works as a caseworker, supporting Afghan families in Walsall. Similarly, Ahmad and Ghousoun, who arrived in Wolverhampton in 2017, started a tailoring business. Today, their children are attending university and pursuing careers.
Challenges along the way
Like any programme, SVPRS had its challenges. Some policies and key performance indicators (KPIs) were difficult to meet. Many families found the first month overwhelming due to the volume of information and appointments. They often asked us to slow down while they adjusted.
Housing was another challenge. British homes, especially older ones, were sometimes unfamiliar to families. Many struggled with concepts like keeping heating on while leaving windows open or found it difficult to settle in properties built over a century ago. In some cases, we relocated families to ensure they felt more comfortable.
As an organisation, RMC also faced a steep learning curve. Although we had experience supporting refugees, managing a programme as intensive as SVPRS was new territory.
Successes and Legacy
Despite the challenges, SVPRS was a success. The programme gave 126 people the chance to rebuild their lives in the West Midlands. All the children who arrived—or were born here—are now in education, with many older ones attending university. Adults have started businesses, entered employment, or found other ways to contribute to the community. For example, during the pandemic, some worked as delivery drivers, providing vital services.
One of the most impactful parts of the programme was addressing the trauma many new arrivals had experienced. RMC used SVPRS funding to pilot on-site support from a Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN) at our Wolverhampton office. Initially, the CPN focused on assessing Syrian families and referring them to additional mental health services. However, demand for this support quickly grew, and the service became available to all RMC clients. Today, the on-site CPN is a core part of our work, providing vital mental health support.
SVPRS also strengthened partnerships across organisations. From pre-arrival planning to post-arrival support, the programme fostered collaboration at multiple levels. Many of these partnerships remain strong, shaping how RMC delivers future resettlement and integration programmes. As an organisation, we have been able to develop expertise in delivering resettlement programmes including the Afghan schemes, the United Kingdom Resettlement schemes and the Homes for Ukraine scheme but also other types of refugee integration programmes such as the refugee transitions outcomes fund in recent years.
Looking Ahead
Resettlement remains a vital lifeline for refugees who have no other options. With over two million people worldwide eligible for resettlement, there is still a pressing need for programmes like SVPRS. While traditional models will likely continue, community sponsorship and hosting schemes are also becoming more important. Future resettlement efforts might involve hybrid approaches, combining elements of these different models.
One thing that will never change is the importance of support from local people. Successful resettlement depends on the involvement and goodwill of the host population. Refugee integration is not just about helping those in need—it’s about building stronger, more inclusive communities. In an unpredictable world, where crises can arise at any time, reflecting on and improving resettlement programmes is in everyone’s interest.
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