WELFARE NEEDS OF THE AFGHAN COMMUNITY IN HARROW

Transcription

1 WELFARE NEEDS OF THE AFGHAN COMMUNITY IN HARROW A community based research project February 2013 Dr Elena Vacchelli and Neil Kaye with Magdolna Lorinc 1

2 The Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC), Middlesex University The social policy research centre (SPRC) was established in 1990 to provide a focus for research in the social sciences at Middlesex University and supports high quality research of national and international standing. Members of staff are involved in a wide range of projects funded by research councils, the EU, government departments and the major charities. The Centre supports postgraduate research students, including students funded by research councils, and a number of well-established masters programmes. The Centre runs events, including conferences, seminars and short courses. Main areas of interest include: migration, refugees and citizenship; welfare restructuring; service provision and third sector organisations; urban policy, regeneration and communities; drug and alcohol policy; human security and human rights; tourism policy. For further information and to view reports from our recent research projects visit our webpage: 2

3 WELFARE NEEDS OF THE AFGHAN COMMUNITY IN HARROW Dr Elena Vacchelli and Neil Kaye with Magdolna Lorinc Table of contents: Executive summary 4 1. Introduction 8 2. Statistical Profile of Afghans in the UK and Harrow Quantitative Survey Focus Groups Interviews with Key Informants Recommendations 50 References 51 3

4 Executive Summary Middlesex University and Paiwand, ARDO and Afghan Association London have been working together to assess the welfare and advice needs of Afghan communities in the London borough of Harrow. The aims of the project are: To investigate the impact of the current economic crisis and welfare restructuring on Afghan communities in the London borough of Harrow; To identify advice and welfare needs and gaps in service provision; To inform local policy makers, service providers and the community sector on priorities and development needs Research Design The research consisted of a mixed-method approach comprising both quantitative and qualitative methods for gathering relevant data. The quantitative research consisted of a survey administered by community researchers who had been trained by Middlesex University to gather data from other members of their community. One hundred questionnaires with both closed and open questions were distributed and subsequently analysed using specialist online software. The qualitative aspect of the analysis included two focus groups, one with Afghan women and one with Afghan youth, and six interviews with key informants in the community. The Afghan community organization Paiwand provided the premises for the training of community researchers and has made it possible to recruit both the community researchers themselves and the participants to the focus groups. 4

5 Summary of key findings Issues specific to the Afghan community in Harrow Afghan women: poor education Unaccompanied minors tend to be male Assessing age of unaccompanied minors Trauma and mental health Use of drugs and alcohol Involvement in gangs Challenges in working in a cooperative manner Services that the Afghan community uses more Community organisations Job Centre GP share care ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Mental health services Services for people whose asylum application is rejected Barriers to access to services Language Cultural barriers Suspicion around authority Requirements for treatment Stigma related to mental health Gaps in service provision Women tend not to access services Need for more resources on arrival Overcoming isolation Mentoring programme training for keeping kids away from gang culture Targeted information for foster families Doctors who can speak Afghan languages More mentoring, more role models form their own community Gaps in employability skills 5

6 Identified priorities The following are a synthesised list of priorities identified by the key informants in relation to the Afghan community in Harrow: Enhancing skills of class teachers to work more effectively to deal with children Supporting the Afghan community via ESOL, via schooling system and support to children and to the wider community via supplementary activities Working with different community organisations and finding successful ones such as Paiwand and then helping others to develop along similar lines Narrowing the gap in attainment Health care system: doctors need to be trained and know the specific issues that affect the Afghan community Help the youth Create a more unified Afghan community in Harrow Human rights for women and unaccompanied minors 6

7 Recommendations Based on the findings summarised in the previous sections and on the insights gathered from key informants, the following preliminary recommendations have been identified: The research findings confirm the fundamental role of high quality and bespoke advice in addressing welfare needs. Advice quality standards need to be monitored and initiatives should be taken to counter-balance the effects of reduced funding, cuts in professional staff and increased reliance on volunteers. These could include mentoring schemes and internships (also to increase the engagement of younger generations). The centrality of language-specific support and the need to tackle language-barriers should be at the forefront of local initiatives in Harrow. Training for skills development within civil society organisations, particularly in fundraising, financial management, service delivery and project management Further coordination should be developed among local providers of welfare advice, both between different Afghan organisations and between these and other Third Sector and statutory agencies. This should include the development of common short and long term strategies, exchange of knowledge and best practice, discussion of partnership projects and funding applications, joint campaigning and advocacy. Initiatives should be taken to raise awareness about future changes in welfare rights and service provisions, both among local services users and community advisors. Such initiatives could include community events, training sessions and campaigns (online, through leaflets, involving local businesses etc.) Community resilience should be fostered with initiatives which encourage the development of local networks of mutual support. 7

8 1. INTRODUCTION Middlesex University and Paiwand, ARDO and Afghan Association London have been working together to assess the welfare and advice needs of Afghan communities in the London borough of Harrow. The aims of the project are: To investigate the impact of the current economic crisis and welfare restructuring on Afghan communities in the London borough of Harrow; To identify advice and welfare needs and gaps in service provision; To inform local policy makers, service providers and the community sector on priorities and development needs The project, which took place between October 2012 and February 2013, includes: A review and analysis of official statistics other data sources; A survey of service users and other members of the Afghan communities, carried out by community researchers trained by Middlesex University; Additional focus groups with Afghan youth and Afghan women; Additional in-depth interviews with individuals and key informants The fieldwork was conducted over three months, October-December 2012, by professional researchers at the Social Policy Research Centre (Middlesex University). The research consisted of a mixed-method approach comprising both quantitative and qualitative methods for gathering relevant data. The quantitative research consisted of a survey administered by community researchers who had been trained by Middlesex University to gather data from other members of their community. One hundred questionnaires with both closed and open questions were distributed and subsequently analysed using specialist online software. The qualitative aspect of the analysis included two focus groups, one with Afghan women and one with Afghan youth, and six interviews with key informants in the community. The Afghan community organization Paiwand provided the premises for the training of community researchers and has made it possible to recruit both the community researchers themselves and the participants to the focus groups. This needs analysis report provides an overview of Afghan migration to the UK before offering an analysis of secondary data relating to the socio-economic conditions and demographic changes that have occurred in the London borough of Harrow over the last 8

9 decade. The main section of the report subsequently provides an in-depth analysis of the present empirical study, elaborating key research findings from an analysis of survey results, focus groups and interviews. For further information about the research project please contact Dr Elena Vacchelli, Middlesex University, SPRC, 9

10 2. STATISTICAL PROFILE OF AFGHANS IN THE UK AND HARROW Afghans in the UK In Afghanistan more than thirty years of conflict, political instability and impoverishment has caused the displacement of large numbers of people, resulting in increasing numbers of refugees and asylum seekers in the neighbouring countries and in Europe, including the United Kingdom. However, the size of the Afghan population in the UK, their demographic profile and socio-economic characteristics are largely unknown for the general public, and ignored by academic research. This can be explained by a number of factors: the relatively small size of the Afghan community (at least compared to other UK minorities) and the relatively high proportion of unreported individuals; and the difficulties of capturing their numbers in official statistics due to the fact that Afghan is not one of the standard categories. In the Afghan migration to the UK a number of distinct waves can be distinguished (Department for Communities and Local Government, 2009; IOM, 2007). The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 prompted the first wave of migrants; the second wave of migrants left the country in the 1990s, after the downfall of the communist regime and renewal of the conflict. The capture of Kabul by the Taliban in 1996 was followed by a large exodus of Afghans to the Western countries (Communities and Local Government, 2009). About 15% of Afghan refugees of that period came to the UK. This proportion grew further between 2000 and 2004 when the UK was the second most popular destination, after Austria (UNHCR, 2005). Asylum applications have been high ever since. The latest estimate from the Office for National Statistics puts the number of those UK residents who were born in Afghanistan to around 54,000. With this figure, the Afghans constitute the 37 th largest minority group in the UK (ONS, 2012). This number is significantly higher than the one estimated by the 2001 Census, which recorded 14,875 UK residents born in Afghanistan (cited by Jones, 2010), and is in line with the ONS report that the majority of Afghanistan-born UK residents have arrived after 2007 (ONS, 2010). Data from the 2011 Census are not yet available. According to the 2001 Census, around 70% of Afghans in the UK lived in London (ibid), being concentrated in West and North-West London in the following boroughs: Ealing, Hounslow, Harrow, Brent, Barnet and Hillingdon, with an emerging community in Lewisham (Communities and Local Government, 2009). According to the latest research, the majority of them are still concentrated in the capital (ONS, 2009). 10

11 Figure 2.1 shows the estimated geographical dispersion of Afghans in the UK: Figure 2.1 Afghan born nationals in the UK Most commentators agree that the Afghan community in the UK is not only diverse but also fragmented along ethnic, linguistic, regional, religious and political lines (Communities and Local Government, 2009; IOM, 2007). The main languages spoken in Afghanistan are Pashto and Dari 1 (Minority Rights Group International, 2009). The country is very diverse ethnically: there are Pashtuns (42%), Tajiks (27%), Hazaras (9%), Uzbecs (9%), and Aimaqs (4%), and a number of smaller groups (Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook, 2010). This ethnic puzzle is further complicated by the fact that ethnicity is markedly interlinked with political affiliation (Communities and Local Government, 2009). The overwhelming majority of Afghans are Muslim, mostly Sunni Muslim, while minority religious groups include Hindus and Sikhs (UKBA 2009). This diversity is reflected in the UK diaspora as well. Many authors argue that the Afghan population in the UK lacks cohesion and communal structure as a result of this fragmentation. The common experience of immigration could not transcend entirely the country s violent politics in the near past and a highly stratified society within the home country (Communities and Local Government, 2009). Community organisations map these fragmented sub-communities, without having one umbrella organisation that would represent the whole community. 1 A local dialect of the Persian or Farsi language. 11

12 Harrow: analysis of secondary data sources Socioeconomic conditions Relative to other London boroughs Harrow enjoys lower-than-average levels of crime, ill health and unemployment. According to the Department of Communities and Local Government s Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), it is the sixth least deprived borough in Greater London (DCLG, 2010). As noted in a 2007 report, commissioned by London Councils, Harrow residents appear to be reasonably prosperous... reflected [in] low levels of poor health, crime and deprivation, notably when benchmarked against London (Local Futures, 2007, p13). However, the report suggests that there also exists a relatively high level of inequality in the borough. The average IMD score for wards within Harrow show that the most deprived areas are located in the centre and south of the borough (see Figure 2.2). In terms of the resident population of the borough, it is notable that Harrow s population structure is more similar to the England average than to London (NHS Harrow, 2012); although it is also one of the most ethnically diverse boroughs in the country, with more than half of residents belonging to Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups (ONS, 2009). Figure 2.2 Harrow wards by average Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) score Low High Source: Department of Communities and Local Government, Indices of Deprivation Belmont 2 Canons 12 Marlborough 3 Edgware 13 Pinner 4 Greenhill 14 Pinner South 5 Harrow on the Hill 15 Queensbury 6 Harrow Weald 16 Rayners Lane 7 Hatch End 17 Roxbourne 8 Headstone North 18 Roxeth 9 Headstone South Immigration 10 Kenton East and diversity 11 Kenton West 19 Stanmore Park 20 Wealdstone 21 West Harrow 12

13 Harrow has experienced a much higher level of immigration in the last ten years than the national average. Whist the national average international migration inflow rate for England has remained steadily at around 10 per 1,000 people, the rate in Harrow has been as high as double that and continues nues to show a significant level of immigration as compared to other areas of the country (see Table 1). Table 1 Long-Term International Migration inflows (rate per 1,000) 2003/ 2004/ 2005/ 2006/ 2007/ 2008/ National Average (England) Harrow Source: ONS Population Estimates Unit, / Annual international migration inflows into Harrow have been over 3,000 in each of the last ten years, reaching a peak in 2004/05 of 4,900. Although there has subsequently been a relative decrease in the number of inflows, the official figure has remained above 3,000. Despite this trend, new National al Insurance number (NINo) registrations and GP registration figures for overseas nationals (Flag 4) in the borough continued to grow even after 2004/05, both reaching a peak in 2009/10. Figure Harrow International Migration inflows, Flag 4 and NINo Registrations, Source: ONS Population Estimates Unit, DWP, NHS, 2012 The borough of Harrow has high levels of ethnic, religious and linguistic diversity. According to the latest UK Census (2011), 69.2% of the borough s population was a member 13

14 of a Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) group. The largest single BAME group were Indians, who accounted for 26.4% of the borough s total resident population. Census data also reveals that the proportion of non-uk born residents in Harrow (44.8%) is much higher than both the national (13.8%) and London (36.7%) average and has seen a significant increase from 36.2% in to 44.8% in The largest overseas country-of-birth groups in Harrow, as disclosed in the Census, are India (9.0%), Kenya (4.9%) and Sri Lanka (4.3%). The proportion of those holding nationalities other than British is almost three times the national average with almost one in four (22.1%) Harrow residents some 53,000 people not currently having UK nationality. The latest population estimates (Annual Population Survey, 2011) show the largest overseas countries of nationality in Harrow as India (4.8%), Poland (2.6%) and Republic of Ireland (2.6%) such a detailed breakdown of nationality data from the UK Census 2011 is not yet available. Statistics from the 2008 Schools Census show that 48.1% of schoolchildren in Harrow speak English as an additional language. The most prominent community languages in the borough are Gujarati (27.2% of all EAL pupils), Tamil (15.6%) and Somali (8.5%). Harrow is one of the most religiously diverse local authority areas in the UK with sizeable Hindu (25.3% of residents), Muslim (12.5%), and Jewish (4.4%) communities. Whilst the relative size of the Jewish population has stayed roughly the same between 2006 and 2011, the proportion of Hindus amongst the borough s residents has fallen slightly, from 29% to 25.3%, whilst the proportion of Muslims has almost doubled (7% to 12.5%) 3. This can be seen as an indication of a rise in migration inflows into the borough from Islamic countries, including refugees from conflict-affected areas such as the Middle East and Afghanistan. 2 Labour Force Survey, Statistics on religion are taken from the Annual Population Survey (2006) and the latest UK Census (2011) 14

15 Afghans in Harrow As previously mentioned, the largest Afghan populations are to be found in the West and North West of London and migration indicators show that these boroughs are still attracting the settlement of this migrant group. Figure 2.4 Estimated Afghan population by London borough (2011) Total Afghan-born population (thousands) Source: Annual Population Survey, ONS, 2011 Recent data on the size and demographic breakdown of the Afghan population in Harrow is not available to any degree of precision and the full results of the 2011 Census have yet to be published. It is estimated that there are around 3,000 Afghan-born residents in the borough accounting for between 1-1.5% of the total population. This makes them one of the ten largest migrant groups in the borough of Harrow (see table 2). 15

16 Table 2 Estimated population resident in Harrow by country of birth (2011) Nationality thousands % 1 India % 2= Kenya % 2= Sri Lanka % 4 Republic of Ireland 7 3.0% 5= Pakistan 5 2.2% 5= Poland 5 2.2% 5= Somalia 5 2.2% 8= Afghanistan 3 1.3% 8= Romania 3 1.3% 10= Italy 2 0.9% 10= Uganda 2 0.9% Source: Annual Population Survey, ONS, 2011 National Insurance number registrations for overseas nationals from Afghanistan account for more than 2% all new NINo registrations in Harrow a greater proportion than in any other London borough. This represents around 1 in 12 of new NI number registrations for Afghan nationals throughout London. Table 3 NINo Registrations of Afghan nationals by London borough (2011/12) New NINo registrations (Afghanistan) Total new NINo registrations % Afghanistan Harrow 110 5, % Hillingdon 100 5, % Hounslow 140 9, % Ealing , % Barnet 100 8, % Brent , % Other boroughs , % Total London 1, , % Source: DWP, 2012 In addition, the UK has continued to see high numbers of refugees from Afghan nationals owing to on-going conflict in the region. More than 1,200 applications for asylum were made in 2011 by people from Afghanistan and it has been one of the five largest countries of origin for asylum seekers to the UK every year since

17 Statistics from the annual School Census show that the total number of pupils speaking either Pashto or Dari (the two official languages of Afghanistan) as their first language in Harrow increased from 262 to 382 between 2007 and This represents an increase from 0.82% to 1.20% of all schoolchildren in the borough who speak one of these languages as their mother tongue. The Dari language, although spoken by the largest number of people in Afghanistan (around 50%), represents only a very small number of pupils in the School Census. However, it must be noted that, as a variant of Persian/Farsi, Dari may be subsumed into a larger language category and so the figures may not be truly representative of the demographic reality. Pashto, on the other hand spoken by around 35% of Afghans is recorded separately and Table 4 shows that in Harrow this was the mother tongue of 1.8% of pupils whose first language was other than English in This is more than double the proportion for London (0.7%) and England as a whole (0.8%). Minority languages of Afghanistan are either not recorded separately or are too small to appear in the statistics. More recent school census data on pupils first language by local authority area is not available at the current time, making recent trends in local area demographics difficult to analyse. The 2010 School Census did reveal, however, a significant overall rise in the number of pupils speaking Pashto as a first language in England from 7,090 to 9,600, which represents a 35.4% increase. Table 4 Primary and Secondary Schools in England, by local authority area (2008) Main languages reported for those pupils whose first language is other than English 17

18 Harrow Greater London England # % of EAL pupils # % of EAL pupils # % of EAL pupils English/Believed to be English 15, ,740-5,711,110 - Other than English 14, , ,190 - Gujarati 4, , , Tamil 2, , , Somali 1, , , Urdu , , Arabic , , Persian/Farsi variants , , Panjabi , , Polish , , Hindi , , Pashto/Pakhto , , Bengali , , French , , Albanian/Shqip , , Portuguese , , Others 2, , , All Pupils 30,590 1,012,030-6,549,300 - Source: DfE, Annual Schools Census,

19 3. QUANTITATIVE SURVEY The survey consists of 49 open and closed question, with members of the Afghan community in Harrow being asked to disclose their origins, year of migration and economic conditions by specifying whether this had changed after the 2009 credit crunch and the subsequent cuts in welfare services. Information gathered through the questionnaires also included welfare and other community services currently used by members of the Afghan community in Harrow, with a focus on how these could be improved. Besides demographic data, information about welfare, housing and other living conditions, respondents were also asked to consider other areas of concern in the community. With regards to recruitment, community researchers, who had been specially trained to administer the questionnaires amongst members of their community, were instructed to approach Afghan people in Harrow through their businesses, at community events and local colleges. In total, one hundred questionnaires were distributed garnering 68 completed survey responses. The following analysis is based on answers provided by the respondents as members of the Afghan community in the London borough of Harrow. Demographic characteristics(figure 3.1) Although the sample used was not meant to be statistically representative, efforts were made to select participants in order to reflect as much as possible the profile of the community under investigation. In particular, there was a fairly even balance of female and male participants in the survey, although the majority of participants were female(55.9%). The majority of the participants were of working age, although respondents ranged from 15 to 79.More than half of those surveyed(38) are married, with the remainder being single, separated or divorced. About half of the participants (50.8%) have children of various ages, with more than 60% of participants having three or more. Language and educational level (Figure 3.2) The vast majority of survey respondents (81.4%) speak Dari, while half also or exclusively speak Pashto (50%). Just over half the participants (55.9%) spoke enough English to be able to communicate at a basic level;aminority speak a Persian language other than Dari or other languages. With regards to the level of English spoken by participants, 38.2% said that they were fluent whilst a further 26.5% spoke good English.Almost a third of respondents (30.9%) had basic or survival English and a small, yet not insignificant, minority (4.4%) spoke no English at all or almost none. The majority of the survey respondents have a high level of education, with over 60% having attended university or college. However, a significant minority (6.2%) are educated only to 19

20 primary level and more than one in seven of the participants (13.8%) haveno formal education. Migration status (Figure 3.3) Whilst two of the respondents were British-born, most (64.7%) havearrived in the UK since the year 2000,with the remainder having come in the previous decade. Most survey participants are British citizens (60 %); 9.2% have indefinite leave to remain ; 6.2% are asylum seekers and 13.8 % indicated a number of other citizenship statuses, including having the nationality of another European country (primarilythe Netherlandsor France).One respondent stated that they were an illegal migrant whose request for asylum had been rejected, and one further participant had a Tier 4 visa through the Home Office s PBS (Points Based System), see Chart 9. Economic activity and unemployment (Figure 3.4) Just 16 of the participants are currently in employment (full-time, part-time or selfemployed), with mini-cab driving and retail occupations comprising the majority of work activities. Additionally, a high proportion of the participants areeither students (27.9%) or stay-at-home wives or husbands (23.5%). The remainder are either retired, volunteers or unemployed. Of those who are unemployed, 83% stated that they had never been employed in the UK. Changes in your community life over the last 3 years (Figure 3.5) According to the majority of the survey participants, life in the Afghan community in Harrow got worse or much worse in the last three years. The most affected among the identified areas were unemployment (50.8%), housing issues (50.8%) and crime(39.1%), particularly gang crime (42.2%). A minority of the respondents has been a victim of crime (15.4%) in the last three years, including assault, burglary and robbery/mugging. A very small number of participants (6.2%) stated that they have been a victim of discrimination or racism. About 15% of the participants feel that their involvement with the community has increased notably by volunteering for the Afghan organisation Paiwand although for 6.2% this has deceased in the last three years, due to the fact that they have to work more and have therefore less free time. Changes in lifestyle over the last 3 years (Figure 3.6) Afghan survey participants stated that particular aspects of their life, such as employment, income, household standard of living, stress and mental health and leisure activities including holidays had, in general, either stayed the same, or got worse, or much worse 20

21 since the onset of the economic recession in Only a small proportion indicated that their life had improved in the last three years. Difficulties dealing with the cost of living (Figure 3.7) More than half the survey respondents struggle to pay utility bills, transport, and rent. About 37% struggle to pay for groceries and other bills (14.6%), however it should be noted that a significant number of people chose not to respond to this question about their household finances. Fifty-nine percent of the participants attest that they had been adversely affected by the economic crisis and they consistently reportthat their cost of living is now higher while their salaries have stayed the same. Additionally, respondents stated that social services have been reduced and some parents expressed concern about facing the expenses involved in raising their children, from buying clothes to being able to pay for their education. Receipt of benefits (Figure 3.8) The vast majority of survey respondents receive some form of welfare benefit. Almost 60% of the surveyed population receive housing benefit, over 40% receive child tax credit, about 37% are on child benefit and council tax benefit, and 22% are on income support. Only 27.3% stated that they have been affected by any significant reduction or change in relation to the benefits they receive. Use of public services (Figure 3.9) Respondents were asked to list any 'public service' they have been using over the last 3 years. Not surprisingly, most people had used health services such as GPs (94.3%) and Hospitals (81.1%), but also libraries (41.5%) and, for those with children, schools (30.2%) and children's centres (13.2%). A considerable number have also used University or College services (39.6%) and/or Job Centres (32.1%). When asked whether these services had been cut or reduced in the last three years, 36.2% of participants reported that they had seen a significant reduction. This is particularly the case for interpreter services at the GP or hospital;a rise in university fees; and the closure of youth centres. Use of community services (Figure 3.10) With regards to using services provided by a local voluntary or community organisation, more than half of respondents (56.3%) stated that they have made use of a local community organisation; in particular,participants indicated that they are familiar with Paiwand and, to a lesser extent also with Harrow Association and Mind. 21

22 The services most frequently used provided by community organisations include taking English classes (40%), seeking Housing (35.6%), Welfare (28.9%) or Immigration (26.7%) advice and for their children s education (31.1%). Other responses include mainly life skills support and Dari language classes. The majority of participants do not think that services have been cut in the last three years, although some think they have and point to a reduction in the availability of training and interpreting services. Need for additional support (Figure 3.11) When asked if there is any additional service that the local Council should provide to support them, the 70.6% participants who believe there is, pointed to classes in the following areas: English and ESOL classes, Qu ran classes (as the existing ones are too expensive), free tuition for children and parenting classes in children centres. Some respondents suggested better leisure facilities and swimming/sport for ladies only, whilst others highlighted housing conditions and needs for house repairs by the Council. Other suggestions include: children services; a befriending service for elderly people; employment training; a community centre; more support for education and housing; cleaner streets and parking permit to residents. Opportunities in Harrow Half of the respondents feel that there are enough opportunities in Harrow for people from Afghanistan. When asked to name what they like most about Harrow, members of the Afghan community have answered that they like Harrow s diversity in terms of different cultures and in particular the presence of a substantial Afghan community. They also point to the fact that there is a high degree of religious freedom and they can go to the mosque, good schools, good transport, good leisure and commercial facilities, such as restaurants and shopping centres. Some participants have expressed a specific appreciation for the presence of Afghan shops; they feel safe in Harrow and think green spaces are well kept. In terms of what the survey participants expressed dissatisfaction with in their local area, the majority of the participants mentioned increasing gang crime and the inefficiency of the police in helping with this problem. Moreover they mentioned drug dealing, road traffic, lack of work opportunities and parking facilities. Five participants stated they are dissatisfied with Harrow Council. This fact could be taken as an indication that some Afghan people feel disengaged from the Council and that, in this sense, the activity of community organization is important to mediate this relationship and perhaps help to build a more constructive and positive relationship between the Council and the people in the Afghan community. Some survey participants have also expressed that they dislike the lack of an Afghan community centre and they would expect more services specifically tailored to BMEs, 22

23 including for instance the provision of halal meat in children centres. Some others have indicated that roads are not clean, and travel too expensive. One participant indicated that they dislike Northwick Park hospital and one other argued that GPs are not monitored enough and are left free to do what they like. In terms of hospital services, one participant has expressed that there is not enough help for expectant mothers or pregnant women. Moreover, some participants feel that there are no culturally specific services for female members of the community. 23

24 3.1 - Demographic information Gender Age group Male Female Marital status Number of children Single 27 None 32 Married / with partner 38 One 1 Widowed / separated / divorced 3 Two 11 Three 6 Four Languages and educational level Spoken languages First language Dari Persian 56 Dari Persian 41 Pashto 34 Pashto 19 Persian (Other) 4 Persian (Other) 2 English 38 English 2 Other 10 Other 0 Level of English Educational level None / almost none 3 None 9 Basic / Survival 21 Primary 4 Good 18 Secondary 8 Fluent 26 University / College 39 Vocational / Professional 4 24

25 3.3 Migration status When arrived in UK Current status Since British citizen Indefinite leave to remain 6 Before Asylum seeker 4 Born here 2 Refugee 7 Other Economic activity and unemployment Current main activity If you are unemployed, have you ever been employed in this country? Unemployed 10 Yes 2 Employed full-time 6 No 7 Employed part-time 4 Self-employed 6 Student 19 Housewife / Househusband 16 Other 7 25

26 3.5a Based on your knowledge, how has the local Afghan community changed in relation to the following areas? Have things got better or worse in the last 3 years? Much Better Same Worse Much worse Don't know Total better # % # % # % # % # % # % Unemployment 0 0.0% 4 6.3% % % % % 63 Health services 0 0.0% % % % 2 3.1% % 64 Education services 0 0.0% % % % 0 0.0% % 63 Housing 1 1.6% % % % % % 64 Crime (overall) 0 0.0% 5 7.8% % % % % 64 Gang crime 0 0.0% % % % % % 64 Racism / discrimination 1 1.6% % % % 4 6.5% % 62 Domestic violence 0 0.0% % % % 4 6.3% % b Based on your knowledge, how has the local Afghan community changed in relation to the following areas? Have things got better or worse in the last 3 years? Don't know Much better Better Same Worse Much worse 26

27 3.6a In the last 3 years, how have the following aspects of your life changed? Have they got better or worse? Much better Better Same Worse Much worse Total # % # % # % # % # % Employment / Work 3 5.6% % % % 5 9.3% 54 Your income 2 3.3% % % % 3 4.9% 61 Household income 3 4.7% % % % 3 4.7% 64 Household standard of living 2 3.1% % % % 3 4.7% 64 Leisure / entertainment / holiday 3 4.7% 5 7.8% % % % 64 Stress / Mental health 4 6.3% 6 9.4% % % % b In the last 3 years, how have the following aspects of your life changed? Have they got better or worse? Much better Better Same Worse Much worse 27

28 3.7a Are you currently struggling to pay for any of the following? # % Housing / rent % Utility bills % Transport/travel % Groceries % Other % 3.7b Are you currently struggling to pay for any of the following? Housing / rent Utility bills Transport/travel Groceries Other 28

29 3.8a - Do you or members of your household currently get any of the following benefits? Benefit # % Attendance Allowance 1 1.6% Child Tax Credit % ESA 2 3.2% Income Support % Carer's Allowance 2 3.2% Council Tax Benefit % Housing Benefit % Working tax credit % Child Benefit % Disability Living Allowance 0 0.0% Jobseeker's Allowance % Other 3 4.8% Response count % 3.8b - Do you or members of your household currently get any of the following benefits? 70.0% 60.0% 59.7% 50.0% 40.0% 40.3% 37.1% 37.1% 30.0% 22.6% 20.0% 14.5% 14.5% 10.0% 0.0% 1.6% 3.2% 3.2% 0.0% 4.8% 3.8c - In the last 3 years have you or your family been affected by any significant reduction or change in relation to any of the benefits above? No: 40 (72.8%); Yes: 15 (27.3%) 29

30 3.9a - Which of the following public services have you used in the last 3 years? Public Services # % Doctor (GP) % Hospital / A&E % Library % University / college % Jobcentre % School for your children % Public housing % Language class % Translation / interpreting services % Social Services % Children's centre % Legal advice 2 3.8% Other advice services 2 3.8% Youth centre 2 3.8% Other 1 1.9% Response count % 3.9b - Which of the following public services have you used in the last 3 years? 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% 3.9c -In the last 3 years, has any of these public services you used been cut or reduced? No: 30 (63.8%); Yes: 17 (36.2%) 30

31 3.10a What kind of community services did you use? Community # % Services English classes % Housing advice % Health advice % Children's education % Welfare advice % Immigration advice % Employment advice % Other % Interpreting % Training % Legal advice % Signposting 2 4.4% Childcare 0 0.0% Other advice 0 0.0% Response count % 3.10b What kind of community services did you use? 45.0% 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% 3.10c In the last 3 years, has any of these community services you used been cut or reduced? No: 32 (84.2%); Yes: 6 (15.8%) 31

32 3.11a Which of the following areas would you need additional support with? Community # % Services Housing advice % English classes % Health advice % Employment advice % Children's education % None / Don't know % Training % Immigration advice % Interpreting % Welfare advice % Childcare % Legal advice 5 7.9% Other advice 1 1.6% Response count % 3.11b Which of the following areas would you need additional support with? 45.0% 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% 32

33 4. FOCUS GROUPS With the support of the Afghan organisation, Paiwand, two focus groups were organised in November 2012, one with Afghan women and one with Afghan youth. This section summarises the key findings that emerged from these focus group, illustrated by selected participant quotes. Focus group with Afghan women Seven Afghan women from different ages participated in the first focus group. All except one (who was born in the UK) were born in Afghanistan and they arrived in the UK in the last ten years; all except one have children from 2 to 6 and they are mainly unemployed or pensioners, with the exception of two carers. The focus group participants were asked to discuss some priority areas which had previously been identified by the research team and also to identify new ones. The focus group was initially split into two separate groups where women were asked to prioritise some areas over others and put them in relative order of importance. Subsequently, the women were asked to discuss their priorities with all of the participants. An interpreter was arranged in order to translate a minority of non-englishspeaking women s contributions. One or more members of the team were present and moderated each of the groups. Feeling part of British society Feeling part of British society was ranked as the most important priority for the Afghan community in the UK according to the women in the focus group. Some focus group participants argue that as long as they live in peace and away from wars they do not have problems in feeling part and even identifying with the British society: A: The majority does feel part of society, especially in Harrow, where there is a mixture of different cultures. However this could pose a different challenge for those middle-age or elderly women whose culture is very different from the British one than for children who might find the task of adapting to a different culture much easier. This task may also be more difficult for women than for men: A: No, I think it is easier for men. Women and men are different, women are always more sensitive. Especially Afghan women. Their life was very unsafe in Afghanistan and they rather stayed at home, because it was very unsafe to go outside their home. And it takes time for them to realise that here it s different. F: I agree, with children, women cannot go out. 33

34 A: But it is different with school. When women have children, they go out to bring their children to school, they mix with the other parents, and they become friends with others. F: I want to study, but I can t, I have to take care of my child. I would be happy to put her into a nursery but I cannot pay 35 pounds a day. We cannot afford this. She is only 2 years old and she was born in October, so there still is some time for her to get free nursery. Clearly, lack of economic resources interferes with women s opportunities to be part of British society Unemployment Unemployment has been identified as one of the main areas of concern across age groups for Afghan women with regards to their community: F: The Afghan people have lots of problem with employment, they can t find a job. They have high education, they went to college/university, finished their schools, but still can t find here a job. So, that s a problem. In some cases unemployment can be linked with mental health issues: S: There are issues. The first problem is unemployment and financial problems. We thought a lot about that. They told that most Afghan people receive some benefit, financial help from the government, but these are not enough for them. Because the rent for houses are very high and their income is very low. So, it s a problem, and unemployment is a big problem. A: I think it is a big issue the unemployment especially for middle-age women and men, they cannot find a job, so they go to Job Seekers and they get very low income. And they have to stay therefore longer, and they give them really trouble, and especially they suffer from that. Some difficulties in finding job are specific to women: 34

35 A: I want to say something about the Afghan ladies. Which is about their language problems in this country and also about everything they can do in a job, different kind of jobs they can do, they are confident. Unfortunately they do not have any qualification, because they didn t work in this country. That s why when Afghans go for any jobs, no one accepts their application form. A: Of course, I think, most of the Afghan women want to work, not only for the money. They want to be active, to help people in a team, meet with new people. Their lack of English proficiency leads to de-skilling for men who have higher qualification in the country of origin but have to adapt to low skill jobs such as cleaner or shop assistant. According to the group, for women problems in finding a job are about an intersection of age and proficiency in English. Language The issue of language is related to many other areas such as unemployment, difficulty to access jobs, and is tangentially related also to difficulty in accessing health care, as migrants do not know they are entitled for instance to translators within the NHS and experience difficulties in communicating their symptoms to medical staff. The problem of poor language skills affects middle-age people more than new Afghan generations born in the UK. One of the obstacles highlighted by the group is that it is difficult to learn at an advanced age when a solid background in learning is missing, so at times the English language courses and training provided by the Council are not effective in achieving the learning aim. Another additional obstacle is when Afghan migrants come to the UK from another European country and have to learn English after having made the effort of learning another European language during their previous stay: A: I know a person, she spent 10 years in the Netherlands, learnt the language and worked as a child carer, but later she came here and couldn t find a job Housing Housing problems highlighted by the group primarily concern their inability to pay high rents. Structural access to viable homes for people who are on housing benefit is also a concern as landlords do not tend to rent homes to those receiving housing benefits. Moreover some housing is inadequate for larger families. 35

36 Lack of education and training Some Afghan women do not have any educational qualifications and may not have even completed primary education; this is most common among older women. This can impact on their ability to learn English. Moreover, for mothers whose English is poor it is difficult to help their children at school: F: One specific problem is that mothers do not understand English and they can t help their children with their lessons. It is a big problem, as Afghan children have many difficulties at schools (with learning). And it is a problem that as mothers do not understand English, they can t help them in their school studies. Lack of information about benefits and entitlements According to the group most Afghan people have a lack of information about benefits and entitlements. When they are aware of the existence of state benefits, they are unsure of what specific benefits are available for them and how to access them. Some participants were aware that information on benefits could be obtained at Job Centres. Mental health issues According to the focus group participants, a significant number of Afghan people in Harrow suffer from mental health problems, although not everyone is able to acknowledge it. It is the opinion of the group that there is a lack of information and people are unaware that what they are experiencing is depression, stress, or PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). The prevailing perception is that women are most affected, as men do not show it in the same way and they seem to be coping better. Importantly, language barriers contribute to the lack of awareness on mental health: S: Actually, it is a problem in the community. Most people do not understand English and most of the times, when they go to the GP or to hospital, they can t explain their problems. Difficulties in accessing health care Access to healthcare is particularly challenging for elderly people who cannot speak English and can therefore not book an appointment for themselves. A translator is required all the times for this. A second barrier to accessing health care identified by the group is migration status. 36

37 A: There are lot of Afghans, they do not have visa or passport, so they do not go to the GP. F: I do not know, many people just do not tell if they have visa or not because they are scared. Immigration issues Immigration issues affect many Afghan people in Harrow according to focus group participants and they inhabit a grey area where they do not receive a definitive response from the Home Office with regards to their immigration status. Some reported that often people try to marry to get a visa and divorce after about 5 years. Family conflicts Women who experience family conflict and domestic violence do not expose this with anyone. Sometimes this has to do with migration status; women tend not to report cases of domestic violence if they are irregular migrants. Safety in the neighbourhood Although most participants feel safe in their neighbourhood, they agree that safety in the neighbourhood is an important issue. One area of concern is that in Harrow and Wealdstone some boys are selling drugs and they engage in fights. This represents a problem for those people who walk home late, who feel they are susceptible to being mugged or assaulted. Getting support from the Council Focus group participants feel they do not get support from the Council in, for example, job hunting, as the Council expects them to be able to use the computer. There is a general agreement that services are provided by the Council, although they are not tailored to specific users needs.with regards to support in language provision, the group feels they get support from Harrow Council to have language classes, but they do not get enough support in translating. A: Sometimes NHS hospitals provide interpreters, but not always. Not for GPs. 37