We are a local inner city church with a large migrant, asylum seeker and refugee community. We have developed a lot of experience in helping those communities in practical, community and spiritual ways. We also have close links to Kairos Housing and meet in the same building as the ARC Project Blackburn although these are separate charities.
Citizens Advice is an independent organisation specialising in confidential information and advice to assist people with legal, debt, consumer, housing and other problems in the United Kingdom. CAB Bury & Bolton can provide immigration advice.
Merseyside Law Centre provides specialist legal advice and assistance relating to welfare benefits, housing and asylum support. Our advice is provided to those in need, regardless of age, gender, race, or disability. The asylum support team provide advice on applications for Asylum Support, submission and preparation of appeals against Asylum Support decisions, and resolution of housing issues and assistance in resolving other housing matters including destitution, disrepair and fitness for habitation.
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
International Family Tracing can help with finding missing relatives abroad through their international family tracing service if you have been separated by war, natural disaster or migration. Please call the office for further information.
International Family Tracing can help with finding missing relatives abroad through their international family tracing service if you have been separated by war, natural disaster or migration. Please call the office for further information.
International Family Tracing can help with finding missing relatives abroad through their international family tracing service if you have been separated by war, natural disaster or migration. Please call the office for further information.