We work with individuals from over 35+ countries around the world living away from their homeland, providing them with support, skills and knowledge to live and prosper in the UK.
Our wide range of services includes English language classes, employment workshops, a women’s support group, a Saturday school and homework club, youth and family support services, drop-in and telephone advice, volunteer placements, and cultural and social events. We provide outreach and visits to individuals and families in detention.
We also work in Afghanistan, where we are developing citizen advice centres in Kabul and Pul-e-Khumri, following a successful pilot project from 2013–2016. They will offer free, impartial and confidential advice, information, support and legal aid on issues including education, employment and domestic violence.
We are a constituted voluntary community group based in Warrington that is open to anyone who is a host or guest under the Government Homes for Ukraine scheme or family scheme. Our aim is to provide a safe place and essential care for all of our members and create a sense of family. We have over 350 Ukrainian members registered at the hub including 140 children. We have over 70 volunteers also registered.
On Sundays we provide refreshments, a social space for children and adults, children’s organised play activities, adult activities such as art and music sessions.
On Wednedays we provide English lessons for children and adults.
We celebrate all major UK and Ukrainian festivals – e.g Easter, Christmas, Ukrainian Independence Day. We organise trips for our families e.g. theatre trips, trips to the lakes, Chester and York to help engender a sense of community and provide some good experiences for our guests.
We provide both emotional and practical support including support to settle into the UK including navigating the benefits system, supporting those moving into their own home including talking to landlords, helping source furniture and equipment.
Support for asylum seekers varies from community to community. Some of the support our churches offer ranges from:
- English language classes at no cost
- Safe spaces to make new friends or to enjoy a meal
- Carer and toddler groups are open to everyone
- Sunday worship
- Midweek activities such as sports sessions or intergenerational activities.
- Practical assistance through food banks and baby banks
Volunteer-run ESOL classes on Mondays and Fridays at 10 am (10-12) for beginners and low-level learners during term time. Students can attend from arrival in the UK.
A weekly drop-in session during term time takes place on Wednesdays between 2 and 4 pm at St Thomas Church Centre, Marton St, Lancaster, for Asylum Seekers and Refugees. The sessions offer a cafe space for socialising with board games etc., an ESOL class, an information desk run by a local ASR support charity (RAIS), a barber corner, and the distribution of clothing.
We offer:
- Advocacy and advice across a broad area and Immigration advice (OISC1) and support, including student placements.
- Alleviation of destitution through the provision of food, clothing and housing. A Complex Needs Social Worker assists asylum seekers with needs additional to destitution.
- Working with the Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit, we provide Family Reunion Visa Applications and Further Submissions assistance.
- 80 places for English classes across the week
- Access to 2nd hand clothing, shoes, kitchen-ware and other donated items, daily except Wednesday.
- Encouragement to asylum seekers and refugees to become volunteers and to engage with their new community.
- Social events to encourage integration and friendship – Refugee Week, Christmas, trips and visits to other venues, cycle programmes and hill walks and several football initiatives.
- Well-being projects: bicycle repair, gardening and allotments, cooking demonstrations with other local groups. A Women’s group and a Choir run on Thursdays. Action Asylum projects actively place Asylum Seekers in volunteering roles with non-asylum organisations including beach/park cleans, tree planting, creative writing projects, indoor climbing and arts projects. We now work in 5 other cities with this programme.
- Input from other agencies including the NHS Community Inclusion Team giving access to GPs and dentists. Access to other healthcare: Covid Vaccination, Sight Tests, Blood Pressure and AF Testing can be sourced through the centre. The Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit, Merseyside Refugee Support Network deliver advice from our building.
- Information and Research opportunities include working with Liverpool University on a Mental Health feasibility study and surveys for the NHS.
- The Asylum Information Roadshow, School Presentations and Social Work Training. These are wide ranging presentations to schools, voluntary sector groups, universities, local authorities, seminars and conferences.
“We support and advocate for Ethnic Communities within Stockport including Refugees. Support with 1-1 advocacy, housing, Health, Employment Benefits. Culturally appropriate foodbank Activity based work, e.g. Sewing Club, Children activities, Volunteer Training, Drama, Women’s Group, Choir Black Mens group Conversational English session. Immigration Surgery