Information
Those born and brought up in the UK are privileged not to have had
reason to flee their home country, and the stability that exists in the
UK can sometimes make it difficult to understand the desperate
circumstances that have led refugees to abandon their homes, jobs,
families, friends and all that is familiar to them.
But it is to Oxfordshire’s advantage to welcome them and the skills and
abilities they bring. Some have previously worked as entrepreneurs, or
farmers. Some are doctors, nurses, teachers or journalists. Others
bring construction and engineering skills. Many are now contributing to
Oxfordshire’s community and economy, in education, the NHS, in
manufacturing, distribution, catering and many other jobs on which we
all depend.
History
In 1914 Belgian refugees fleeing the First World War were welcomed in Bicester and Finmere. In the 1930s refugee academics from Nazi Germany found sanctuary at the University of Oxford. More recently, when Campsfield House in Kidlington became an immigration detention centre, some of those whose asylum claims were successful settled in the county on their release.
Diversity
There is great diversity amongst the individuals who are often lumped together as ‘refugees and asylum seekers’. The estimated 2,500 refugees living in Oxfordshire have fled from persecution or war in over 50 countries and speak over 50 languages.
Who is a refugee, who is an asylum seeker?
There is a lot of misinformation and ignorance about refugees and asylum seekers, which can lead to prejudice against them. Sometimes politicians and the media say things about refugees and asylum seekers that are incorrect. Find out some truths.