Every day as a Syrian Resettlement Key Worker is different. This is a short account of one of them.

Early start today. On the road by 6:15am to go and pick up a Syrian man who has an appointment for a minor operation. Soon after I arrive, he gets into the car along with his friend who is going to act as his interpreter today.

After forty-five minutes driving through terrible weather on unfamiliar roads, we arrive at the hospital. Happily, parking spaces are available. Even better, it’s free parking! Straight into the hospital, forms are quickly filled in, clarification and reassurance given in Arabic. Then one of our Syrian friends gets called and vanishes behind the ward doors.

Back into the car, set Google Maps. Forty-five minutes later I arrive to visit another couple of families in the north of Derbyshire. The interpreter is sitting outside waiting for my arrival. After updating the interpreter it’s straight into the house.

Shoes off, left by the door. Greetings are important: how are you/your children/family/driving lessons/what’s your garden looking like? Yes please to lemon tea. How can I help you today? Do you have any post you would like me to look at? Have you paid the bills? Clarification of school trip letters and a few phone calls back and forth to school. I’m really not sure why your bank card has been blocked. An online enquiry and a phone call clears the blocked bank card.

Later, at the next family’s house, I receive a call. The surgery has been successful, I will be back to collect you in a few hours as arranged. Nice to see you: how is the family, the garden? Post sorted, it’s time to find out how your English lessons are going. And how is volunteering at the local school going? Anything else? It seems that there’s a badger problem in the garden. I take a look at the fence and wonder which would be the relevant council department to call regarding garden badger invasions?

Back in the car, the phone rings again. Yes, I am going to collect you from the hospital, but it’s going to take a while. Small, unfamiliar roads take me back to the hospital again. Discharge notes are given and after-care instructions explained.

Back in the car. Time to drive today’s patient and his friend back home. I walk him to his front door. Half an hour, battle through some evening traffic. Once home I write up case notes about today’s visits, take note of today’s mileage and write myself a reminder for tomorrow to check that the patient is doing well.