Scotland in Lockdown

This study was carried out between July and December 2020 and sought to understand how Covid-19 restrictions affected people in groups already facing isolation and exclusion. The research was organised into work streams for each of the study populations. Some participants fell into more than one group, and we also explored intersectional experiences. For people in the asylum process, refugees and people who have been made destitute with no recourse to public funds, third sector and community groups provide a lifeline, offering a wide range of essential information and support services and safe community spaces that are directly impacted by social distancing measures and emergency responses. The shutdown of essential face-to-face services and supports and switch to online provision worsened the inequalities this vulnerablised group already faces. 

We analysed data from 27 interviews with people at different stages of the asylum process or with refugee status, plus 3 staff interviews from service support groups. Participants came from 14 different countries around the world. As above, the organisational survey we conducted provided additional data from people working in support organisations in this area.