Newsletter

Newsletter

Manchester Refugee Support Network

Issue 50 June 2012 – July 2012

MRSN Refugee Cultural Festival Saturday 23rd June 2012 from 3pm to 6pm Hulme Hall, Rolls Crescent, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5FS As part of Refugee Week celebrations MRSN is organising a refugee cultural festival and we would like your organisation to have a stall at the event at which you can display information about your activities and achievements. We will have food from various countries, and stalls from Refugee Community Organisations and Refugee Supporting Agencies.

There will be music and dance from various refugee community groups. We will also have a traditional Coffee Ceremony from Ethiopia. If you are interested in booking a table at the event please contact belay on 01612028915 or email [email protected].

New government stats show children still being detained: our response In response to the asylum and immigration statistics published by the Home Office, Donna Covey, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council said: “It is very disappointing that children are still being detained, despite the government’s pledge two years ago that they would stop this abhorrent practice. While we welcome the improved conditions for children who are detained with their families, we still strongly believe children who have sought safety here should not be detained at all. “Moveover, the statistics do not include the significant number of children who are also being wrongly detained as adults. As shown in our report published this week, the mental and physical health of children who are wrongly treated as adults and locked up can be severely damaged. The government must urgently put measures in place to ensure children are not held in detention just for the UKBA’s administrative convenience.”

The Home Office statistics for Jan – Mar 2012 show that in the first three months of 2012: • 53 children were detained, and 7 are currently being held

• There were 4,518 asylum applications, 1% less than this time last year • 4,496 initial decisions in asylum applications, 65% were refusals The statistics also show in 2011, there were 1277 applications from unaccompanied children, and an additional 354 young asylum applicants had their ages disputed. But the UKBA does not publish figures for those who are treated as adults based on their appearance, and who are not sent for an age assessment – they are therefore detained as adults and included in adult detention figures. The Refugee Council works with children who have been wrongly detained as adults, to release them from detention centres. Last year, 22 were released from detention, after being found to be children. The Refugee Council’s report, Not a Minor Offence, published on Monday this week, details the reasons children are often wrongly treated as adults, the impact being detained has on the young people the charity works with, and recommendations for the government to safeguard children in this situation. www.refugeecouncil.org. uk/notaminoroffence Source: Refugee Council

Family migration changes announced

The Government has announced changes to the Immigration Rules for non-European Economic Area (non-EEA) nationals applying to enter or remain in the UK on the family migration route. The new Immigration Rules will also unify consideration under the rules and Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, by defining the basis on which a person can enter or remain in the UK on the basis of their family or private life. Most of these changes will apply to new applicants from 9 July 2012. The changes are part of the Government’s programme of reform of the immigration routes and follow wide consultation and expert advice from the Migration Advisory Committee. The changes include: • introducing a new minimum income threshold of £18,600 for sponsoring the settlement in the UK of a spouse or partner, fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, of nonEuropean Economic Area (EEA) nationality, with a higher threshold for any children also sponsored; £22,400 for one child and an additional £2,400 for each further child; • publishing, in casework guidance, a list of factors associated with genuine and nongenuine relationships, to help UK Border Agency caseworkers to focus on these issues; • extending the minimum probationary period for settlement for non-EEA spouses and partners from two years to five years, to test the genuineness of the relationship; • abolishing immediate settlement for migrant spouses and partners where a couple have been living together overseas for at least four years; • from October 2013, requiring all applicants for settlement to pass the Life in the UK Test and present an English language speaking and listening qualification at B1 level or above of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages unless they are exempt; • allowing adult and elderly dependants to settle in the UK only where they can demonstrate that, as a result of age, illness or disability, they require a level of long-term personal care that can only be provided by a relative in the UK, and requiring them to apply from overseas rather than switch in the UK from another category, for example as a visitor; and • restricting family visit visa appeals, initially by narrowing the current definitions of family and sponsor for appeal purposes, and then, subject to the passage of the Crime and Courts Bill, which was published on 11 May 2012, removing the full right of appeal against refusal of a family visit visa. For more information about the changes that are being introduced and details of transitional arrangements please visit: http:// www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/ newsarticles/2012/june/13-family-migration Source: UK Border Agency

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Information for Refugee Groups and Individuals

Funding McDonald’s Kickstart grants for community football McDonalds have made £75,000 available through their Kickstart grant scheme, supporting community football. Football clubs applying need to be recognised by the FA, and have at least one team at or below junior level (U18). They can apply for one-off grants of between £500 to £2500 for things like: • club facilities, grounds-keeping tools, training courses, pitch hire, mini-vans and washing machines The scheme will not fund: • advertising and promotions, fundraisers, kit/team wear, club trips/tours, holiday training camps and club personnel wages/ expenses e.g. fuel. There are three more application rounds this year – the next closes on 30 June. The McApplication form is on the website. Contact: http://www.mcdonalds.co.uk/ ukhome/Sport/Football/Investment/ small-grant.html New investment for UK social entrepreneurs The School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE) and Lloyds Banking Group have joined forces to launch the Lloyds Banking Group Social Entrepreneurs programme which will support 500 social entrepreneurs across the UK, as they start-up and grow social and community enterprises. The scheme will see 100 social entrepreneurs each year receive comprehensive support from the SSE, as well as a grant ranging from between £4,000 and £25,000. The full press release is here. To register your interest in applying for the awards programme, see contact details below: Contact: Alexa Kellow Telephone: 0207 089 9120 Email: [email protected] The Hilden Charitable Fund – UK The Fund has allocated a small budget to help community groups run summer play schemes for disadvantaged communities. Some priority will be given to projects which show they are inclusive of children from refugee families, and show BME involvement. They look to fund: • Projects for children aged 5 to 18 years • Locally based schemes lasting from 2 to 6 weeks • Schemes with strong volunteer support Applications are accepted from voluntary agencies with an income of less than £120,000. Trustees will accept applications from across the UK. Deadline: 18 May 2012 For more information email [email protected] or call 020 7603 1525 Neighbourhood Matched Fund Community First Neighbourhood Matched Fund is an initiative that provides local

communities with the means to address their own priorities. Communities will set up local panels in each eligible ward, and will decide upon projects for funding in their area. It is a matched fund programme, which means that every £1 provided in funding must be matched by a similar amount of in-kind donations (this means donations of cash, services, free products or volunteer time). Eligible wards accross England have been selected on the basis of high levels of deprivation and significant increases in benefits claimants. Fore more information about eligible wards and how you can get involved, contact [email protected] or call 020 7837 6584. People’s Postcode Trust – Small Grants Programme The People’s Postcode Trust aims to make Scotland, England and Wales a better place for both people and nature and acts within the following six fields of operation: poverty prevention; advancement of health; community development; public sports; human rights; and environmental protection. Through this program, funding is provided for 3 month projects, ranging from £500 up to £10,000 to registered charities, community and voluntary groups, community interest companies and other not-for-profit organisations. All projects must have a clear charitable purpose with visible results, and must be no longer than 3 months in duration. Funds must be spent 6 months following receipts of award. Applications for £2,000 or under are open to organisations that are not registered charities (although registered charities may apply for this smaller amount if they wish). Applications for over £2,000 are open to registered charities only. For further information and to apply, visit: www.postcodetrust.org.uk/smallgrants-program.aspx, or contact 0131 555 7287, or email: info@postcodetrust. org.uk Domestic Programme Fund – forced marriages The Domestic Programme Fund is a scheme from the Government’s Forced Marriage Unit. It has £150,000 available for funding to registered charities for small projects in the UK to protect victims and end the abusive act of forced marriage. Partnerships with other bodies, including statutory agencies, are encouraged. The unit expects to make around 8 awards. Projects should have clear and realistic goals, and show how they would address the following objectives: • Development of a Champions’ Network of community representatives as part of challenging attitudes to forced marriage in target communities

• Creation of local partnership boards in targeted areas as part of developing localised approaches to tackling forced marriage and supporting victims • Development of local initiatives and services to raise awareness of and tackle forced marriage • Tackling forced marriage in the Traveller communities, developing options for work to challenge behaviour and support victims/potential victims • Development of peer group mentor’s scheme to provide training and support • Development of programmes to support the teaching of consent in marriage across schools and colleges of higher learning • Co-ordination and development of online presence on the provision of forced marriage services through a variety of social media • Development of a series of workshops and debates on forced marriage and related issues • Development of work with faith groups and religious leaders to strengthen the message that forced marriage is not condoned by any major religion, and also tackle the use of religion as an excuse for abuse Deadline: 31 May 2012 Contact: Forced Marriage Unit Telephone: 020 7008 0151 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/ travel-and-living-abroad/when-thingsgo-wrong/forced-marriage/domesticprog-fund/ SMK Campaigner Awards 2012 The annual Sheila McKechnie (SMK) Foundation Campaigner Awards programme offers a development package to emerging, grassroots campaigners. The Sheila McKechnie Foundation are looking for committed individuals who are campaigning for sustainable solutions to social, economic and/or environmental issues, and who, with the right advice and support, could achieve much more. The aim of the awards is to equip campaigners with the skills they need to make a greater impact. The support package offered is individually tailored, completely bespoke, and includes the following: • Invitation to a high profile awards ceremony • Award winners induction day and assessment of campaign objectives • One-to-one coaching from a highly experienced campaigner • An intensive and inspiring three-day residential skills building weekend • An invitation into the SMK Alumni programme, enabling you to attend talks and events organised by SMK For further information and to apply and to nominate someone, visit: www.smk.org.uk/campaigner-awards. Deadline: Monday 18 June 2012, 13:00

To advertise your events or services in this newsletter email your information to [email protected]

NIACE Community Learning Fund The Community Learning Innovation Fund is a new fund designed to support new and imaginative community learning opportunities that encourage adults – particularly disadvantaged people – to take up, succeed and progress in learning. • Total funding available: £4million • The maximum amount for any bid is £65,000 and the minimum is £10,000. • Bids for more than £50k must be supported by match funding Projects will be funded to run from 10 September 2012 to 31 July 2013. Closing date for applications for £50k+, 12 noon, Thursday 28 June 2012 Closing date for applications for less than £50k, 12 noon, Thursday, 5 July 2012 Applications must be made online. Inclusive Sport Fund Sport England has launched the Inclusive Sport Fund to get more disabled people (aged 14 and over) playing sport. They will be looking for projects that provide: • Evidence of current insight into disabled people’s needs, expectations and motivations, as they relate to physical activity and sport • Details of any previous successful activities that could be repeated or scaledup with more investment • Links to the disability sector with all of its expertise, experience and committed individuals. Applications will be accepted from not-forprofit organisations such as sports clubs, voluntary and community organisations, local authorities, schools and colleges for revenue grants of above £10,001. A series of workshops providing further information and support will be organised in June and July 2012. Details of these and the application process are on the website. Deadline: 31 August 2012 Contact: Sport England Telephone: 08458 508 508 Website: http://www.sportengland.org/ funding/inclusive_sport1.aspx Innovation Grants Programme Innovation Grants Programme The Innovation Grants Programme from the Money Advice Trust (MAT) opens on 1 June. The Trust wants to fund innovative new work that will improve the availability, effectiveness and efficiency of money advice in the UK. Projects should contribute to Money Advice Trust’s aim to help people across the UK to tackle their debts and manage their money wisely. Grant priorities: • The development of new information, resources and ways of delivering advice that can be shared with others, and replicated widely • Projects which combine money advice and financial capability for people who are usually excluded from society

• Work which will assist those who are homeless or facing homelessness. Grants can range from £1,000 - £30,000 (in exceptional cases they can consider larger grants). Further information is available from the website. Application forms aren’t available yet but will be on the website soon. Please note - By ‘innovative’ they mean “new approaches to an old issue or the use of an established approach for new issues, needs or audiences”. Deadline: 11 July Contact: Emily Hopkins or Maddy Pite, Money Advice Trust Tel: 020 7653 9734 Emily Hopkins, External Affairs Officer 020 7653 3320 Maddy Pite, External Affairs Coordinator Email: [email protected] Website: www.moneyadvicetrust.org/ content.asp?ssid=121 Investment & Contract Readiness Fund The £10m Investment and Contract Readiness Fund is now available to help social enterprises develop plans which will help them access new forms of investment and compete for public service contracts. Grants between £50,000 and £150,000 will be available to help groups wanting to attract at least £500,000 investment, or bid for contracts over £1 million. Ventures will be required to apply in partnership with an approved provider. Details of this are on the website: http://www.beinvestmentready.org.uk/

Job Opportunity CRB Development and Checking Officer Gaddum Centre, a leading independent voluntary sector organisation is looking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced person for the following post based at Gaddum House, 6 Great Jackson Street, Manchester M15 4AX CRB Development and Checking Officer 5 days (35 hours per week) Mon – Fri Salary £21,000 per year (funded for 18 months in the first instance) We are looking for a graduate to further develop and establish our Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checking service for the voluntary sector across the city of Manchester and surrounding areas. This initiative forms part of the wider Transforming Local Infrastructure Partnership within the Manchester voluntary sector. This is an ideal opportunity for an individual to show their skills and acumen in developing a new service that can become self sustaining. You will be responsible for all aspects of the services’s operation including completing CRB checks, marketing the service, liaising with and evaluating the needs of the end users, developing an expertise and knowledge base on the subject and devising short

training courses. The target is to create a sustainable service that meets the needs of the sector. Closing date: Friday 29th June 2012 Interview date: Friday 6th July 2012 An Application Pack with full job description is available online at www.gaddumcentre.co.uk We welcome applications from all sections of the community. Gaddum Centre strives to be an equal opportunities employer. The above post is subject to an Enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure. Finance Administrator at George House Trust George House Trust provides voluntary support services for people with HIV in the North West, together with support to carers, partners and children directly affected by HIV; runs education campaigns for people with HIV and to raise awareness about HIV; and challenges discrimination against people with HIV and campaigns for the best quality of life for all people with HIV. Key responsibilities of the role, include: • The administration of George House Trust (GHT) finances. • Preparing electronic banking payments, ready for authorisation by a manager. • Maintaining the database of supporters and records of donations made. • Administering pension payments. • Credit control • Petty cash reconciliation The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure check. For further information and to apply, visit: www.ght.org.uk/about-us/82/job_ vacancies, or contact 0161 274 4499. Hours: 10 hours per week Salary: £5,272- £18,453 pro-rata, NJC scale 20-23 plus 8% employer pension contribution Location: 77 Ardwick Green North, Manchester Deadline: Sat, 23/06/2012 - 17:00

Training/ Workshops Free training for RCOs Free, two-day training course for London based RCOs is being delivered by Charities Evaluation Services 1 & 2 October 2012. The course will help you to make your services more effective and show your achievements to others. For more details about this course or to book your place, please contact [email protected] or telephone 020 7713 5722. Bursary scheme: If you are a small charity based outside of London you might be eligible for our training bursary. If you qualify you will get discounted training, a contribution towards expenses and a pack of free resources. Visit www.ces-vol.org. uk/bursary or email training@ces-vol. org.uk for more information.

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SUPPORT SERVICES – Manchester Community Central Manchester Community Central – The support service for Manchester’s voluntary and community sector Manchester Community Central provides information and support to build the capacity and sustainability of voluntary and community sector groups in Manchester. Sign up for our weekly ebulletin The Manchester Community Central weekly ebulletin contains the latest news, events, training and job opportunities that will keep you updated on developments and opportunities in the Sector, to sign up

email: [email protected] If you have any news, events, training or jobs that you would like to include in the Manchester Community Central ebulletins, please email: [email protected] To get in touch Telephone Information Service: 0333 321 3021 (calls are charged at the same rate as a local call, whether made from a landline or mobile phone) Email: [email protected] Web: www.manchestercommunitycentral.org

MRSN’s Engagement Event for RCOs and Forum Members On 1st May 2012 the Refugee and Migrant Forum and Community Development projects of MRSN held an engagement event with Refugee Community Organisations and forum members to look at key pieces of work the Forum should take forward over the next 2-3 years to deliver the rights enshrined in the Refugee Charter for Manchester. The Big Lottery Reaching Communities 3 year funding came to an end in March 2012. The event was attended by over 24 people. The following were the aims of the event: a) to update members of the financial position of the forum; b) to update members on what MRSN did following the last consultation event to listen and act on their views and ideas; c) to view the Refugee Charter to ensure it is still relevant today and to help prioritise key issues of work for the future; d) to determine how campaign and policy work should be carried out in the future at MRSN and the resources needed and available to support that work i.e. from Forum/RCO members, from other projects, from the Supporting Change fund.

At the beginning of the event there were presentations to the large group about the financial position of the forum, the work of the forum and updates from previous consultation events. The group then broke into four workshops to consider • key issues affecting refugees and asylum seekers • are these reflective in the Refugee Charter • agree on 5 top priorities The group then agreed that, in the absence of Forum funding, they would take the work forward by • allocating roles and responsibilities amongst forum members • setting up 3 or 4 focus/working groups, these group would come back together regularly • contact person in MRSN – Community Development Worker to take instruction from and get support from Forum chair • pull in Forum volunteers • Forum sub – group to look for funding The group agreed that they would re- launch the Refugee Charter for Manchester during the refugee week but a date will be agreed to at the next meeting.

MRSN Advice Centre

129 Princess Road, Moss Side, Manchester M4 4RB. Mondays from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm – Drop in sessions Tuesdays – Appointments only

MRSN Shopping Directory

Recently we have added up a new section to our website named Shopping Centre. By and through this centre you could buy on line from some shops and suppliers ranging from ASDA to Amazon. When your are using our website to purchase from them they will pay a small percentage as donation to MRSN. It does not affect the price of the goods you are buying. The seller will pay these donation out of their own pocket not yours. These small amounts of money will help us to carry on our services to asylum seekers and refugees. Many a little makes a mickle. In this way, you have contributed to MRSN without paying even a penny. Whenever you need to buy something online just pop in to our website,”www.mrsn.org.” ,and clickon Shopping Centre on the title menu. For mor information please contact Siamak on 01612028910 or Email: [email protected]

Are You Struggling to Pay Your Bills? British Gas Energy Trust makes grants to individuals and families who are struggling with gas or electricity debts. The aim of the Trust is to give people in poverty a fresh start free from fuel debt. The Trust can also give further assistance to help clear other debts for other essential household costs. To apply for a grant you can fill in the online application at www.britishgasenergytrust. org.uk. If you need help to complete the application you can come to MRSN’s Advice Service. You can drop-in for advice at Phoenix Mill on Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons or at our Advice Centre at 129 Princess Road on Monday mornings or at Rainbow Haven Welcome Centre on Thursday mornings.

We can usually arrange advice in Arabic, Swahili and Somali, and with our dedicated volunteer interpreters in French, Kurdish, and Farsi. To arrange an appointment you can call at the advice centre on Mondays or phone us on 0161 868 0777

MRSN Main Office. Phoenix Mill, 20 Piercy Street, Ancoats, M4 7HY MRSN Advice Centre. 129 Princess Road, Moss Side, Manchester M14 4RB www.mrsn.org.uk Tel: 0161 202 8910 Opening hours Monday - Friday 10.00am - 5.00pm