This report draws from several studies by members of The Exchange collaborative. They spoke with women of migrant and refugee backgrounds as well as others who may have insight into social isolation among women of these backgrounds.
The experience of social isolation was found to be entangled with multiple parts of these women’s lives. Social isolation was often painful, coloured many facets of the lives of the women who experienced it and often made the considerable challenges faced by migrant and refugee women even more difficult. Respondents identified multiple contributing factors to their social isolation, from transport to language difficulties and cultural barriers.

Hearteningly, the various positive steps, services and connections that helped overcome isolation for these women also often benefited them in multiple ways. Volunteering, for example, facilitated positive social interaction and learning as well as job experience, and ESOL classes offered opportunities for social connection and activity beyond assistance with the language. The women spoke highly of community groups and organisations available to them, and also enjoyed contact with other people with whom they shared characteristics and experiences. For example, women from similar ethnic, cultural and religious groups and connections formed for reasons such as childcare. Improved access to transportation was also a significant help and often facilitated a wider range of socialising opportunities and access to services as well as increased independence.

Ideas for future initiatives are drawn from multiple sources, with the voices of migrant and refugee women prioritised. Some of those spoken with suggested extending existing services, others talked about rethinking our understanding of social isolation entirely. Several people acknowledged the key roles of other relationships in migrant and refugee women’s lives – with men, with other women, and across generations – while others felt that solutions are most likely to work when they come from those who have experienced social isolation themselves.

Regardless of approach, a one-size-fits all approach is seen as unlikely to work, especially given the diversity of migrant and refugee women within the country. Instead, there are many opportunities to build on this information to help alleviate isolation in a variety of innovative, complementary, and nuanced ways.

Read the full report [pdf].