Migrant Action

Empowerment Advocacy Justice

Building Capacity for EU Settled Status Support in Barnsley

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Following a successful session in Doncaster in the summer, Migrant Action and CONSONANT (formerly known as Migrant Resource Centre) recently delivered an information and training session for voluntary organisations and statutory services. In attendance were ELSH, The Polish Library, Barnsley Central library, DWP, Barnsley Council and Migrant Action. 

The purpose of the session was to equip organisations with reliable information about the EU Settled Status scheme. The session also offered participants step by step guidance on how to support EU citizens applying for the scheme as well as referral advice for complex cases. 

The broader aim of the capacity building sessions is to ensure that vulnerable EU migrants are well informed and get the right level of support thereby reduce the risk of insecure immigration after BREXIT. Migrant Action recognises that such support though vital is limited in areas across the region including Barnsley hence it is filling a gap in service provision. The participants gained better understanding of the scheme, practical tips for completing the applications and referral process for complex cases. Participants also received good guidance regarding regulated and non-regulated advice. 

The workshop was a good networking opportunity and also included a Q&A session which allowed participants explore a range of issues to enhance understanding and preparedness. Following the workshop, Migrant Action will work collaboratively with ELSH, The Polish Library and other local partner organisations to develop a structured framework for delivering support to ensure that vulnerable EU migrants are aware and able to access right support.

See link below for further information about the EU settlement Scheme 

http://www.nrpfnetwork.org.uk/Documents/EU-Settlement-Scheme.pdf

EU Settled Status: Partnership working in Doncaster

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After many months of mobilisation and community engagement, Migrant Action, The Junction Cafe, Hexthorpe Primary School and The Youth Association are delighted to be working together to raise awareness and provide practical support for vulnerable migrants in Doncaster to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme. 

This collaborative and coordinated approach would ensure efficiency and effective support as well as enhance access and choice for EU citizens wishing to regularise their stay in the UK when the UK leave the EU. 

The organisations/locations in Doncaster where EU citizens will be able to receive information, guidance and support would be; The Junction on Wednesday and Thursday 1-4pm and Hexthorpe Primary School Monday and Tuesdays. Migrant Action will assist with complex cases by facilitating referrals of complex cases to relevant specialist agencies and providing advocacy support.

Migrant Action and its partners hope to provide support for EU citizens applying for the scheme until March 2020.

Building Capacity for EU Settled Status Support in Barnsley

by

Following a successful session in Doncaster in the summer, Migrant Action and CONSONANT (formerly known as Migrant Resource Centre) recently delivered an information and training session for voluntary organisations and statutory services. In attendance were ELSH, The Polish Library, Barnsley Central library, DWP, Barnsley Council and Migrant Action. 

The purpose of the session was to equip organisations with reliable information about the EU Settled Status scheme. The session also offered participants step by step guidance on how to support EU citizens applying for the scheme as well as referral advice for complex cases. 

The broader aim of the capacity building sessions is to ensure that vulnerable EU migrants are well informed and get the right level of support thereby reduce the risk of insecure immigration after BREXIT. Migrant Action recognises that such support though vital is limited in areas across the region including Barnsley hence it is filling a gap in service provision.  The participants gained better understanding of the scheme, practical tips for completing the applications and referral process for complex cases. Participants also received good guidance regarding regulated and non-regulated advice. 

The workshop was a good networking opportunity and also included a Q&A session which allowed participants explore a range of issues to enhance understanding and preparedness. Following the workshop, Migrant Action will work collaboratively with ELSH,The Polish Libraryand other local partner organisations to develop a structured framework for delivering support to ensure that vulnerable EU migrants are aware and able to access right support.

See link below for further information about the EU settlement Scheme 

http://www.nrpfnetwork.org.uk/Documents/EU-Settlement-Scheme.pdf

EU Settlement Scheme: Building capacity to support vulnerable EU migrants

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Whilst the uncertainty continues to loom large, it is certain at least for now that EU citizens will require Leave to enter or remain in the UK when the UK leaves the EU.

The government’s EU Settlement Scheme offers a new pathway for EU citizens currently living in the UK to secure their immigration status in the UK. Although, the Scheme sets out a simple and straightforward process, it unfolds within a challenging environment characterised by limited information & publicity, inadequate resourcing, and uncertainty/anxiety among EU nationals. As such, engagement with the scheme by concerned communities and local organisations that support vulnerable EU migrants is fragile.

To ensure that vulnerable EU migrants engage with the scheme in order to reduce the risk of further vulnerability, Migrant Action and Migrant Resource Centreorganised a training workshop for local organisations supporting vulnerable migrants. Over 21 participants from local organisations and local authority across Doncaster, Barnsley, Sheffield, Bradford and Leeds attended the workshop. The participants gained better understanding of the scheme, practical tips for completing the application process and relevant documentations. Participants also received good guidance regarding regulated and non-regulated advice. 

The workshop was a good networking opportunity and also included a Q&A session which allowed participants to explore a range of issues to enhance understanding and preparedness. Following from the workshop, Migrant Action will continue to work collaboratively with local partner organisations to develop community based support to ensure that vulnerable EU migrants are aware and able to access right support.

Click the link below for a very useful factsheet produced by NRPF on the EU Settlement Scheme, settled status and access to benefits. It confirms that having settled status is sufficient to meet a right to reside requirement for benefit purposes.

http://www.nrpfnetwork.org.uk/Documents/EU-Settlement-Scheme.pdf


Migrant Action says; THANK YOU and best wishes to all our fabulous student volunteers

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Over the last 12 months, our organisation has had a fantastic group of student volunteers who have brought a vast range of skills, passions and energy to the organisation and offered their time for the benefit of the organisation.  

Thanks to the volunteers, the organisation has a stronger social media presence and a better communications overall. They have also helped to enhance fundraising and community engagement through crowd fundraising and community outreach.  Our research volunteers have generated important knowledge that would inform future service development to address the problem of deskilling amongst migrants.  

Overall, our volunteers have raised the profile of Migrant Action and contributed significantly to development and progress of the organisation. 

Volunteers speak



Volunteering at Migrant Action was a fun experience that really helped me improve my communication, leadership and event planning skills. I was able to be closely involved in many aspects of the charity from social media to events,  learning a lot about the organisation and issues facing migrants.  

Volunteering was also a great way to improve my confidence as I was given autonomy on exciting projects like setting up the organisations university society – I was able to network with others and create events with my team. As a result of being given freedom to implement my own ideas, I have gained skills in events and social media that I can now apply to work life and interview questions. Meeting with like-minded people every week to discuss how we could positively impact the community was so enjoyable and always felt like a  positive break from university life. (Bailey) 

We would like to say a big THANK YOU! to Maddie, Megan, Paddy, Bailey, Lina, Rohde, Celeste and Alex and we wish you all the very best for the future. 

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