Having experienced first-hand the challenges of fleeing conflict and rebuilding a life in the UK, Said Mir Ahmad Seerat now works to support refugees and migrants in Hull. As part of our Spokesperson Leadership Programme, he shares his passion for helping others integrate and his commitment to creating positive change.
“When the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021, I was really afraid. My life was in great danger because I was outspoken in the media about the Taliban being a terrorist organisation.
I was a university professor for 16 years, including at the American University of Afghanistan, and I worked with the British Council. I was also a media activist. I spoke out about the political situation and social changes to the BBC, Afghanistan International and the Guardian. I led the international desk of Eqtedar-e- Melli weekly and I’ve written many textbooks.
Because I was speaking out, I knew I would be targeted. The Taliban would kill anyone who worked with foreign countries. If they’d found me, they would’ve killed me.
I had to leave everything behind and start again
I was forced to flee Afghanistan in 2023 with my family, initially staying in Pakistan while we waited for a visa to come to the UK. Selling our belongings and leaving everything behind was hard.
I came to the UK as part of the Afghan Citizen Resettlement Scheme. The Home Office invited me and my family. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who supported us, and to the British people.
For anyone coming to another country, it isn’t easy. You arrive to a different system, different culture and language, and you have to start again.
Language is a big barrier people face
I now work as a Partnerships Officer at Welcome House, a charity based in Hull that supports refugees, asylum seekers and migrants from many different countries. These communities face a wide range of challenges, including cultural adjustment, feels of exclusion and difficulties having their qualifications recognised in Britain.
Language is also a big challenge. If you don’t speak English, it can be very difficult to start again. Many people are also carrying trauma and mental health challenges and they don’t always know where to turn for help.
At Welcome House, we provide practical support such as food parcels and clothing. We run English classes and have support workers who help people fill in forms, register with a GP or enrol their children in school. We even have a football team, which brings people together and builds community.
Partnerships help us find the right support for each person
A big part of my role is working with other organisations so we can support people in the best way possible.
We work closely with organisations such as Citizens Advice, Hull City Council, Migrant Help and the British Red Cross. Through these partnerships, we can connect people to the right services for their individual needs.
No one organisation can do everything alone. By working together, we can make sure people get the support they need to rebuild their lives.
Understanding the system helps people integrate
Before I came to the UK, I worked with the British Council in Afghanistan on a programme called Active Citizens, which taught British values.
When I arrived, I realised that many people face challenges with not understanding how the British system works. Things like how to access healthcare, registering your children in school or how to engage with the local authority.
So I’ve developed a new programme called UK Integration and Life Skills, based on that experience. I will begin delivering the programme at Welcome House in September. It covers 13 topics, including British culture, workplace expectations, safety for women and girls, domestic abuse and modern slavery.
We believe that when people understand the culture and systems of a new country, they are able to integrate more smoothly.
I want to give something back
I will never forget the support my family and I received when we arrived in the UK. Because of that, I feel a strong responsibility to give something back.
I want to raise awareness of the issues affecting refugees and migrants, which is why I joined Sounddelivery Media’s Spokesperson Leadership Programme. I want to advocate for my community and make sure they receive the support they need.
If I can help one person, even in a small way, and make a positive difference to their life, that means everything to me.”
About the Author
Said Mir Ahmad Seerat is an academic and community engagement specialist with extensive experience in higher education, media, and refugee advocacy.
After being forced to flee Afghanistan in 2023, he arrived in the UK and experienced first-hand the challenges of leaving everything behind and rebuilding a new life. This lived experience now shapes his commitment to supporting refugees who struggle with cultural adjustment, feelings of exclusion, and the difficulty of having their qualifications recognised in Britain.
Now based in Hull, he works as a Partnership Officer at Welcome House, developing programmes that promote effective integration. His aim in this role is to raise public awareness of the barriers refugees face and to be a voice for those in similar situations.