‘I want to participate.’ transition experiences of new refugees in Glasgow

Abstract

The particular case of transition from the uncertain position of an asylum seeker to a refugee with statutory rights is used to explore the interaction of structure and agency in refugees' lived experience of integration in super-diversity. Analysis draws on data generated through the 'Holistic Integration Service', available to all new refugees in Scotland from 2013 to 2016. Case data from 1885 households, interviews (n = 24) and focus groups with refugees and service providers (n = 13) showed that refugees' desire to be independent was thwarted by inaccessible systems that were insensitive to language and cultural barriers, and the cumulative demands of transition. The transition experiences of living in hostels and B&B accommodation; racism; poverty and disruption of social networks undermined effective integration. Evidence suggests that the experiences of transition disrupt settlement and disempower refugees creating a dependency on cultural mediation and advocacy for access to statutory rights and services.