IT'S been a year since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, and a group of resettled Afghans shared a moment of reflection to how life has changed now they are living in Carlisle. 

The UK formally opened the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme in January 2022, and it was created for those who have assisted the UK efforts in Afghanistan and stood up for values such as democracy, women’s rights, freedom of speech, and rule of law and also to protect those vulnerable. 

The first cohort of the resettlement scheme arrived in 2021, and a meet-up with Carlisle Refugee Action Group's Adrienne Gill and Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life museum manager Jules Wooding allowed for the group to share some of their experiences since relocating. 

The group consisted of former interpretors who served for the British Army, with the majority operating within the Helmand Province. 

For Abdul, who arrived last November and is a father of two boys and two girls and recently passed his UK driving test, the first thing he noticed in Carlisle in comparison to Afghanistan was the 'quietness' of it all. 

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"I walked out from the house and I saw no-one on the street, in this country there's no people out and about, everyone's at home or in offices, but in Afghanistan there's lots of people everywhere. There's also nowhere near as much crime and litter in Carlisle as there is in the bigger cities, I like that. 

"My kids like this place, they go to the park and with the help of CRAG they've been given bikes to enjoy themselves, they get to watch TV and ride bikes, they may have these things back in Afghanistan but they couldn't enjoy it there because of the fighting. 

"CRAG have been very helpful with all arriving families here, whenever we request help for something they can do, they always do it - everything from kid's toys to blankets - they play a vital role in looking after refugees in Carlisle," he said. 

For Mohammed, this country has given him one of his most beautiful moments and memories. 

"The most precious thing that I have found in this country after everything that has been given to me and my family is my beautiful daughter - and she has an English name as well Carolyn, named after a Welsh friend who plays a very big part in my life. 

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"There was a news broadcast by the BBC saying that the SAS had committed war crimes, and because we were the interpreters for the army, they think we were involved in those killings - it has made our lives further threatened in Afghanistan, I love my country but the circumstances challenge us with more consequences," he said. 

But for the men, their hearts still bleed for the brothers bonded by uniform that they can no longer protect. 

"Our guys served well for the British Military and they really deserve to be here. But most of our interpretors are still in Afghanistan struggling to get their case heard and still await an answer," Abdul said. 

"The people who deserve to be here are still stuck in Afghanistan and that is really upsetting. If I'm eligible, they should be too, but I struggle to have hope for them. 

"During the past few days, five of my colleagues have been rejected for the resettlement scheme," he said. 

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