Diana is a journalism student, a daughter, a sister, and a Syrian refugee. Living in Scunthorpe with her parents and two siblings, her story is one of disruption, resilience, and the transformative power of community support.

After fleeing war in Syria and spending her formative years in Jordan, Diana and her family resettled in the UK in 2018. Their arrival marked the start of a complex journey - navigating language barriers, cultural misunderstanding, loneliness, and identity.

But through education, community initiatives, and grassroots support, Diana and her family began not just to survive in their new home, but to thrive.

Family Resettlement and Community Support

At the heart of Diana’s journey is the support her family received from volunteers and organisations across Scunthorpe.

Her father, determined to rebuild their life, started a small business - made possible thanks to the encouragement and support of groups like Oasis and individuals like Ty, who helped him make connections and navigate the local business landscape.

Her mother, who had no prior access to education in Syria, joined a community-led English course for non-speakers. What began as a lifeline became a pathway to confidence, friendships, and independence. She now runs a home-based baking and beauty service.

Even Diana’s younger brother has flourished, winning football awards and dreaming of becoming a professional player, something that once felt impossible.

Diana’s experience and that of her family highlight several powerful insights into refugee resettlement and the impact of grassroots support:

Education builds bridges:  Her journalism studies gave her confidence, purpose, and the opportunity to reframe misunderstanding as curiosity rather than hostility.

Empowerment through language: For her mother, learning English was the catalyst to overcome isolation and build new relationships.

Community matters:  Volunteers, neighbours, and local services created a safe environment where the family felt seen, supported, and valued.

Women’s confidence grows in community spaces:  Accessible, culturally sensitive support specifically for women was vital in overcoming shyness and loneliness.

While Diana’s story is ultimately hopeful, it began with significant hardship:

Cultural misunderstandings: Wearing a hijab and speaking limited English led to intrusive questions and social withdrawal.

Emotional toll: The initial shock of relocation - and feeling like a “walking question mark” - made her retreat from the world around her.

Isolation: Her mother’s early experiences in Scunthorpe were marked by loneliness and depression, walking alone in the park with no community or friends.

However, through access to safe, welcoming support structures, the family was able to overcome these barriers, slowly replacing fear with confidence and disconnection with belonging.

Diana is now studying journalism, inspired by a Jordanian reporter she met in high school. Her dream is to tell stories that bring people together - stories like her own.

She believes more can and should be done to ensure refugees aren’t left on the margins:

Invest in women: Accessible English classes and safe social spaces are essential to helping mothers integrate and contribute.

Support young people: Education, sport, and creativity offer powerful pathways to confidence and contribution.

Empower through storytelling: Giving refugees a voice allows them to rewrite the narrative, from victimhood to agency.

“Everyone needs a chance to make a better future.” – Diana

“To all the volunteers, to Ty, to the people who welcomed us, I just want to say: thank you. You changed our lives.” - Diana