Bosnian refugees in Glasgow: a multi-agency response

Networks of Support for New Migrant Communities

“…While some groups were able to embrace the requisite processes of formalisation and organisational development others, by virtue of their informal nature, lacked the resources, organisational prowess or even desire to become substitutes for statutory provision (McFarland and Walsh 1994, Zetter et al 2005, Wren 2007). New migrant groups may not have the same advantages as longer established settled communities in terms of the opportunity to develop strategies to operate within the dominant socio-political system (de Certeau 1984, cited in Williams 2006: 867, Kelly 2003 and in the case of asylum seekers the precarious nature of residency militates against developing and sustaining enduring community groups (Zetter et al 2005, Zetter andPearl 2000).…”

“…In terms of support for asylum-seekers, many of the often ad hoc and locally driven initiatives underwent a process of formalisation following Home Office recommendations for improved co-ordination of support based on partnerships of local authorities, voluntary agencies and refugee community organisations (Sales, 2002; Zetter and Pearl, 2000). While some groups were able to embrace the requisite processes of formalisation and organisational development, others—by virtue of their informal nature—lacked the resources, organisational prowess or even desire to become substitutes for statutory provision (McFarland and Walsh, 1994; Zetter et al ., 2005; Wren, 2007). New migrant groups may not have the same advantages as longer-established settled communities in terms of the opportunity to develop strategies to operate within the dominant socio-political system (de Certeau, 1984, cited in Williams, 2006, p. 867; Kelly, 2003) and, in the case of asylum-seekers, the precarious nature of residency militates against developing and sustaining enduring community groups (Zetter et al ., 2005; Zetter and Pearl, 2000).…”

“…Such changes present organisational challenges, as some groups may by their informal nature lack the resources and organisational prowess to act as direct substitutes for statutory provision (McFarland and Walsh 1994). On the other hand, others have developed from community groups into a more formal and professional status (Sales 2002).…”

“…Although recent years have seen a move from ad hoc and informal support services for refugees and asylum-seekers towards more formalised and centralised support (Sales, 2002), the heavy reliance on community-based networks to supplement statutory support has resulted in an increased blurring of the lines between statutory and non-statutory support. Such changes present organisational challenges, as some groups may by their informal nature lack the resources and organisational prowess to act as direct substitutes for statutory provision (McFarland and Walsh 1994). On the other hand, some have developed from community groups into a more formal and professional status (Sales, 2002).…”