Here you can find information on all the Step Change partners. Since the project inception the consortium has grown and welcomed two new partners, BRASS in Bolton and SWAP in Wigan.
Asylum Matters
Asylum Matters
National with North West Campaign Manager
Asylum Matters leads our voice and influencing work stream working with Step Change partners and Experts by Experience to respond strategically to policy challenges arising for refugees and people seeking asylum in Greater Manchester.
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Asylum Matters work in partnership locally and nationally to improve the lives of refugees and people seeking asylum through social and political change. By mobilising and coordinating local, regional and national advocacy work, Asylum Matters aims to increases the impact of campaigns to secure improvements to asylum policy and practice.
Boaz Trust
Boaz Trust
Manchester
Boaz lead on the development of more safe accommodation across Greater Manchester. They provide support and share expertise with groups looking to provide accommodation and provide a link to key Greater Manchester housing and homelessness initiatives.
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Boaz Trust provides safe accommodation and holistic support to refused asylum seekers and refugees who find themselves homeless and in insecure accommodation.
They currently manage over 20 shared houses and (when not in lockdown) a hosting scheme and rolling winter night shelter.
British Red Cross
British Red Cross
National with key services across Greater Manchester (Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, Tameside).
Within Step Change, BCC leads on a place-based integration services for people seeking asylum and refugees, working with local partners to create and/or sustain local hubs where people can access the services they need and provide opportunities for people to acquire the skills and knowledge to integrate locally.
BRC is the UK’s largest independent provider of services for refugees and people seeking asylum. They offer emergency help, one-to-one support and casework, special services for children and families, and help reuniting families.
Manchester City of Sanctuary
Manchester City of Sanctuary
Manchester
As part of the Step Change Consortium MCofS will further grow the movement and culture of welcome throughout the city-region. They will deliver support and activities for community groups, anchor institutions and organisations to build their capacity for welcoming and supporting people seeking asylum and refugees.
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Manchester City of Sanctuary is part of a national grassroots movement that promotes a positive welcome for people seeking sanctuary. They provide opportunities for dialogue and connection between asylum seekers and refugees and local Mancunians and offers a varied programme of activities that promote positive mental health and wellbeing. They raise awareness of the barriers and challenges that asylum seekers and refugees face and work with local public bodies and organisations to address these.
Immigration Aid Unit
Immigration Aid Unit
Manchester
GMIAU leads on increasing the provision of free legal advice and representation to people seeking asylum. They aim to sustain and strengthen the vital safety net that its services provide to people seeking asylum. It will work with partners to ensure that people gain early access to the legal information and advice that they need to understand the system and progress their asylum claim, while providing vital legal advice and representation to lift legal barriers to housing and financial support.
GMIAU is the lead charity in the north west providing free legal immigration advice, representation and support services to people seeking asylum, refugees, children and vulnerable adults. It advises, supports and represents people subject to immigration control, and works to improve immigration policy, systems, and practice.
MRSN
MRSN
Moss Side, Manchester
MRSN deliver services at their Moss Side base and through outreach, as part of the place-based hubs ensuring asylum seekers and refugees across Greater Manchester can access high quality, consistent advice and holistic support.
They also host and coordinate GREAT (Greater Manchester Refugees and Asylum Seekers Together). A group of Experts by Experience living and accessing services in Greater Manchester who steer and influence the work of the Consortium.
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MRSN is a grassroots community organisation based in Moss Side. The organisation is run by people with lived experience as refugees and migrants. The needs of asylum seekers and refugees frame MRSN’s development of services to bring positive and lasting change as those seeking sanctuary as they resettle, integrate and embark on rebuilding their lives with dignity.
Rainbow Haven
Rainbow Haven
Gorton, Manchester
Rainbow Haven deliver services at their Gorton base and through outreach, as part of the place-based hubs ensuring asylum seekers and refugees across Greater Manchester can access high quality, consistent advice and holistic support.
As part of Step Change they will strengthen their partnerships with organisations across the city to strengthen referrals pathways for specialist services.
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Rainbow Haven offers a place of welcome, high quality, place-based holistic support and opportunities refugees, people seeking asylum and vulnerable migrants. They work to empower socially excluded communities and address barriers to inclusion with a team of 40 volunteers, 75% of whom are from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Likewise over 50% its staff are from refugee backgrounds ensuring that its work is led and informed by those with lived experience, and embedded in the communities it serves.
Refugee Action
Refugee Action
National with service delivery in Hulme, Manchester
The partnership and referrals approach used by the Asylum Crisis project is central to the ecosystem approach being adopted by the Step Change Consortium. The project works with clients in a holistic way as individuals who have a range of needs and issues impacting upon their lives. By addressing one need, that of support for the basics of life (accommodation, food, etc.) the project enables other needs to be more effectively met. The Asylum Crisis team will work to strengthen referral pathways, develop processes for effective signposting across Consortium partners and identify gaps in provision.
5 - Asylum Crisis Project Greater Manchester ( 110 nationally)
The Asylum Crisis Project supports individuals and families who are waiting for a decision on their asylum claim with assistance to access housing and financial support as well as those who have had their first asylum claim rejected but are unable to return to their home country. Without the project’s help, many would remain homeless, unable to make practical decisions about their future and at risk of exploitation.
Revive
Revive
Salford & Manchester City
Revive deliver services at their Salford base and through outreach, as part of the place-based hubs ensuring asylum seekers and refugees across Greater Manchester can access high quality, consistent advice and holistic support. They work closely with stakeholders and partners including local authority teams, GPs and healthcare providers and legal representatives to achieve the best outcomes for the people they work with.
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Revive works to promote access to rights, safety, stability, and independence for people seeking asylum and refugees living in Salford and Manchester City. It achieves this by providing high quality services offering advice, guidance and support on immigration, housing, healthcare and integration programmes and courses. It also offers emergency support, specialist casework, advocacy and volunteering for people seeking asylum and refugees, that enable refugees and people seeking asylum on their journey of recovery and growth. Their holistic services are delivered by skilled leaders that bring about lasting change in the lives of refugees and people seeking asylum.
BRASS
BRASS
Bolton
BRASS works with asylum seekers, refugees and refused asylum seekers within the Borough of Bolton. Services include immigration advice (OISC level 1 qualification), ESOL and an information and support Hub.
SWAP
SWAP
Wigan
Support for Wigan Arrivals Project supports asylum seekers and refugees who are living in the Wigan Borough.Our vision is for everyone living in Wigan to feel welcome, to be given an equal chance to build a decent life, and to know where and how to access support when necessary. SWAP provide practical hands on support through a range of services, including 1:1 advocacy and case work, educational and support groups working across Wigan Borough.
