'Helping is so simple'

From the archive, first published Friday 8th Dec 2006.

A Bradford charity's scheme to help people arriving in West Yorkshire from overseas has won the Government's seal of approval.

QED UK's New Arrivals Programme (NAP) has been recognised as a best practice model by the Home Office, and included as a positive example of an early integration initiative in a Home Office report.

The report concludes that although migration can have social, cultural, economic and humanitarian benefits, it can only be successful if there is an effective integration process in place.

NAP offers new immigrants advice and support in finding a job, education or training.

Sameen Gul joined the programme in June 2004, having arrived from Pakistan where she had just completed a Masters in Business Administration at Punjab University.

With NAP's help, Sameen found a work placement with a food company and was offered a full time job within weeks. She went on to start a marketing degree at Bradford University.

QED deputy chief executive Adeeba Malik MBE is a member of the Advisory Board of Naturalisation and Integration, set up to look at the content, conduct and implementation of programmes of study for potential citizens.

Mrs Malik said: "Finding a job and settling into a new country is always a daunting experience. We are delighted the Home Office has acknowledged our programme because it is a simple, but effective, way of helping the UK's immigrants integrate successfully into society.

"We hope other groups across the UK can recognise this and implement similar programmes."

Applications for British citizenship in 2005 rose by 64 per cent to 217,475, with the number of people granted British citizenship rising by 15 per cent to 161,780. This is set to increase over the next decade.

Supported by Jobcentre Plus, NAP is run by QED UK - an economic development charity working with ethnic minorities.

e-mail: fiona.evans@bradford.newsquest.co.uk