Pandemic report highlights social isolation in Sandwell

A report, released by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) today, argued community cohesion has been 'set back by the pandemic'.

The thinktank underwent research to understand how people’s experiences of migration and integration were affected, how they maintained social connection and what new challenges have emerged.

They spoke to more than 70 people across Sandwell, Oldham and Cardiff, including some who had lived in their local area all their lives, as well as refugees and migrants. The report protects individuals’ identity for fear of reprimand.

In Sandwell, the report concentrated on areas including West Bromwich and Great Barr.

Its main findings were there was insufficient social infrastructure in place during the pandemic to support individuals facing issues such as social isolation, poor mental health and well-being, domestic abuse, bereavement and destitution.

One female migrant from Pakistan, now living in Sandwell, said she felt acutely isolated without public spaces: “I used to sit in the library reading books and I just talked to people about what was going on, because I don’t have any friends or family around me here.”

Children from asylum-seeking and refugee families also faced challenges in accessing sufficient technology to keep up with their education.

A migrant from Nigeria, who has settled in Sandwell, said: “We had no gadgets, there was no internet, all we had was just my phone, so it was a struggle. I have five kids, so it was tough.”

Dangerous accommodation was significantly highlighted in the report.

Many migrants and refugees are often housed in initial asylum accommodation including hotels and former military barracks, such as the infamous Napier Barracks near Folkestone in Kent.

One participant who moved to Sandwell, who had been in the UK for five years and was not showing symptoms of the virus, was placed in a hotel and was told by private security contractors that he was not allowed to leave it for any reason.

He said: “During the first lockdown, I was in a hotel in Derby in May last year. They said you have to isolate for two weeks. Why? They said, ‘because you went outside’… I said I’m not new here, I’ve been here for five years. I said I don’t want to stay here; I want to move to another place.”

But some glimmers of hope were to be found.

One participant who had lived in Sandwell for most of her life said: “I didn’t speak to one of my neighbours before, not out of spite or anything, just never saw them.

“[We] both work and never saw them. Since the clap for carers, you get to know them, what they do as jobs, what their children are called, ridiculous little bits that really you should know about your neighbours.

“It was the whole sense of community, like passing notes through doors asking if you need any food - if you’re isolating, if you're shielding, they’re able to help.

“It was just a really nice sense of community that I’ve never felt before.”

It comes as Sandwell borough is ranked as the 12th most deprived local authority in England, according to the 2019 Indices of Multiple Deprivation.

This year, research from the anti-racist advocacy group Hope not Hate identified Sandwell, along with Walsall and Wolverhampton, as a local authority susceptible to far-right extremism.

Sandwell is an asylum dispersal area. The council, along with seven other local authorities in the West Midlands, has launched a legal challenge against the Home Office, as it claims other councils across the country are not offering a proportionate share to house asylum-seekers.

Dave Newall, manager of Brushstrokes community project - a charity focused on supporting refugees and migrants across Sandwell - said: “Covid-19’s impact on the communities we work with was sudden and severe.

“Unemployment, poverty, lack of food and the disruption of provisions left many in despair.

“Throughout this time Brushstrokes stayed open, providing food and urgent advice to prevent homelessness, destitution and deal with immigration cases.”

Mr Newall argued the move to remote working and online services was needed during the pandemic, but he said it “singularly failed” the most vulnerable in society who were left with no means to get the help they needed.

Councillor Bob Piper, cabinet member for community safety, said: “I agree entirely about jump-starting measures to assist integration.

"The pandemic has left a lot of people feeling isolated and for migrant communities that would be so much worse.

“In our own ward, we have tremendous volunteer groups like Bearwood Action for Refugees, who work tirelessly to try to make migrant communities feel welcome. Any additional assistance would obviously be appreciated.”

Lucy Mort, IPPR senior research fellow, said: “We all want to live in places with strong communities, where all people can thrive, no matter their background.

“However, social cohesion has been set back by the pandemic, with reduced opportunities for migrant and receiving communities to meet, socialise and reduce any tensions that exist.

“While we’ve all heard inspiring stories of people coming together during the lockdowns, the reality for many is that this period has led to increased social detachment, isolation and even heightened suspicion.

“We can’t allow this disruption to lead to increased division and discrimination in society. Instead, the government must use this moment to jump-start social cohesion across the country.

“Investing in our communities and in integration specifically can boost social cohesion and help address the inequalities faced by so many, regardless of immigration status, so that we can build stronger and more resilient places as we recover from the pandemic.”