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 have a range of employment, education and community services for Chinese men and women and other ethnic minority groups, including Somali, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Indian and many European nationalities. The Society aims to challenge all forms of discrimination and social exclusion through the provision of diverse and reactive services, delivered by a team of qualified social workers, nurses and other professionals.
Apart from providing health and social care to the Chinese community, we have children’s projects, youth projects, women and parenting projects, adult learning, mental health projects and elderly projects. Day care services for older people are also available as well as a luncheon club and meals-on-wheels. We also provide ESOL support, welfare advice, legal advice and cultural awareness talks.
Breaks and activities for all carers including young carers, elderly and those with mental health issues living in Manchester. Activities include Mandarin classes, pamper sessions, carers corner, outdoor activities, singing class, home visits, hospital visits and interpreting service.
We also hold ESOL classes at The Welcome Centre (18-32 Brentfield Ave, Cheetham Hill M8 0TW) for pre-entry to entry 2 level.
Classes run:
- Mondays 10am -12pm & 12.30pm – 2.30pm
- Tuesdays 10am -12pm & 12.30pm – 2.30pm
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
Carlisle Refugee Action Group offers general support. They also host conversation cafes and drop ins on Thursday and Friday mornings at Greystone Community Centre
Carlisle Refugee Action Group offers general support. They also host conversation cafes and drop ins on Thursday and Friday mornings at Greystone Community Centre