Exploring community connections: community cohesion and refugee integration at a local level

This article reports on the findings of a case study that explored community relations between refugees and asylum seekers, other migrants and long-term residents within a local area of refugee settlement in the UK. A lack of meaningful relationships between people from different backgrounds, significant prejudice, underlying tension and few opportunities for inter-group contact were found. Shared aspects of identity helped bring people together but small differences in culture and faith were also linked to strong divisions. Community initiatives and social support for both newcomers and existing residents were needed to enable real dialogue across difference and the development of relationships based on shared goals and equality.