From Shelter to Belonging: The Transformative Power of Community Support
- Fae Gerlach
- 19 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Author: Irsa Kadilli
For many newly arrived refugees in the UK, the journey does not end at the border; it begins there. Confronted with unfamiliar systems, cultural norms, and often a new language, the challenge of rebuilding life; finding work; securing housing and engaging with the community can be overwhelming. It is at this point that our shared humanity, shaped by empathy and emotional awareness, reminds us to consider the wellbeing of others.
I joined ERSC as a volunteer in May 2025. Coming from an academic background in global migration studies, I felt a strong necessity to support refugees more closely. Yet, through my engagement with refugee families, I have learned far more than I ever could from university lectures or research data. I was not only able to witness their realities firsthand, but also to understand their needs, and to see the hope and determination that drive them toward building a new life. These experiences made me reflect deeply on what displacement truly means; from an abstract concept studied in books, to a lived experience carried by real people who requires empathy and solidarity. It is not simply the movement from one place to another, but the loss of home, identity, and familiarity, coupled with the challenge of rebuilding life in an unfamiliar environment.
Imagine being forced to leave behind your country, your family, your job, your friends, the very places where your memories live. For some, this might sound like the plot of a novel or a scene from a documentary. But for refugees, it’s their reality. Their courage deserves recognition: the strength to walk away from everything familiar, and the hope to start a new chapter in an unknown state they may have only seen on a screen. Yet behind that border lies not just opportunity and hope, but also uncertainty about the future; about belonging; about survival. However, the beauty of escape is often shadowed by fear of isolation, of bureaucracy, of being misunderstood.
Once they arrive, some questions find answers: Where will I sleep? What does the city look like? How do I navigate daily life? Yet deeper adaptation takes time. The term “integration” frequently appears in policy documents, programme objectives, and public discourse. But what does it truly mean? Integration is not a single event, nor a checklist to be completed. It is a layered, ongoing process that requires time, effort, and most importantly support.
Helping refugees is not merely a step toward building a functional community; it is a shared expression of our humanity. While for some, this support is a deeply human act of compassion; for others, it may feel like a routine public service. Despite these public governmental acts, research consistently shows that refugees face significant barriers to integration, leading to prolonged isolation and contribute to mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. In turn, these psychological struggles can further impede integration, as individuals may feel demotivated, fear stigma, or hesitate to engage with the very systems designed to support them.
This is where community support becomes truly transformative, the quiet determination to ease the burden of adaptation, to reach out and lift someone from isolation, and to breathe life back into their hopes. Wellbeing is not a solitary achievement; it is cultivated through the everyday interactions, solidarities, and environments that shape our emotional and social lives. In moments of uncertainty, it is often the presence of those who stand beside refugees, offering guidance, empathy, and companionship, that makes the difference. Through connection, solidarity, and practical assistance, communities help refugees begin to rebuild the lives they once envisioned in their homelands. In return, they are met with smiles, joyful faces, and eyes filled with renewed hope. Integration is not a privilege; it is a pathway to healing, dignity, and autonomy.
At Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle, support is not just about meeting needs; it’s about building belonging. While public policies and programmes may offer pathways out of trauma, it is the love and care within our community circle that sustains newcomers until they feel truly integrated and ready to stand independently. Our mission is simple yet profound: to offer a genuine welcome to those arriving in Edinburgh. At ERSC, we do more than offer support; we offer solidarity. We believe that every act of care, whether it’s a warm meal, a furnished home, or a moment of shared laughter, builds the emotional path toward belonging. That is why meaningful support is not optional, but essential. Refugees are not passive recipients of aid; they are resilient individuals seeking connection, dignity, and a future. Supporting them in their new beginning is not just a kind gesture; it is a deeply human endeavour; a collective promise that says: you are not alone, you are seen, and you are home.
Lastly, it is important to emphasize that integration is both a shared responsibility and a moral imperative. Together, we can make a meaningful difference. Life’s beauty does not lie in material possessions, but in the care, beliefs, support, and kindness we share with one another. As a volunteer, I was deeply moved by one refugee’s reflection:
“I thought I would be alone in this journey… I didn’t know I would be surrounded by so many people helping me toward a new life.”
From shelter to belonging, the journey of integration is not paved by systems alone; it is shaped by the hands that reach out, the voices that listen, and the spaces that welcome.
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