Case study: Welcome Calls
All names have been changed along with some aspects of these case studies to maintain anonymity.
After the UK Government’s review of resettlement for Afghan Special Forces and other vulnerable groups, the Gulab Sorkh Foundation has noticed an increase in new clients arriving in the UK at Ministry of Defence camps. Our Welcome Calls play an important role in this process, offering families a warm first point of contact to help them feel welcome and supported as they adjust to life in the UK.
Arriving at camps nestled in the British countryside, many new arrivals face the unfamiliar. Our Welcome Calls are here to bridge that gap, offering warmth, guidance, and a familiar voice to help families feel a little more at home in their new surroundings.
Whenever we are informed of a new family arriving at the camp, we reach out to them with a Welcome Call. During these calls, we introduce ourselves, explain what we do, and ensure families know they can reach out to us if they need help. For instance, one family said, “I’m so glad that someone from Gulab Sorkh Foundation has called us who speaks our language, and we feel like we are at home.” This connection helps families feel welcomed and gives them important information for settling into a new environment.
We also encourage families to join our online classes, like ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), if they want to improve their English skills. One client expressed, “This is amazing. We would love to learn more English as we only get 5 hours of English a week at the camp.” Their enthusiasm shows how dedicated these families are to adjusting to their new lives in the UK.
During the Welcome Calls, we check on families’ well-being and answer questions about UK systems, healthcare, safety, and other important aspects of life in Britain. One newcomer shared, “We are doing great, so happy to be in the UK, and since we are here, my wife is not worrying as much.” We also discuss important topics like domestic abuse and connect families with any extra support they might need.
These calls are particularly empowering for the women in these families. When appropriate, we collect contact details from wives to invite them to join our Women’s WhatsApp group, which helps promote independence and creates a sense of community among Afghan women. One woman expressed her excitement, saying, “I would love to take part in the Women’s WhatsApp Group as I will meet other Afghan ladies, and we can communicate with each other.” For many women, this is their first chance to connect directly with others, helping them feel supported and valued in their new lives.
Overall, our Welcome Calls are more than just introductions. They serve as an important lifeline, fostering trust, security, and community from the very beginning of each family's journey in the UK.