Migrant Action

Empowerment Advocacy Justice

Helping EU Migrants navigate uncertainty in the wake of Brexit

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Migrant Action is seeing first-hand the increased vulnerability faced by EU migrants who have settled in the UK. Many have lived here for years and to some the UK is ‘home’ but many EU citizens are anxious due to the uncertainty surrounding their status and rights to stay in the UK after BREXIT. This uncertainty is causing emotional distress and in some cases exacerbating poor physical health. Many more are victims of bad legal advice and financial exploitation in their pursuit of securing their legal status in the country. 

Migrant Action is assisting EU migrants to navigate the uncertainty and exploitation by offering advocacy support, information, advice and guidance as well as referrals to specialist advice. As part of our work we are forming partnerships with other organisations such as the 3Million-Yorkshire and InLimbo-Our Brexit Testimoniesto reach out to Eastern European citizens in need of support.  Through our services and working collaboratively with other agencies, we aim to provide practical support to all EU migrants to ensure that they engage with the EU Settlement Scheme. 

If you would like Migrant Action to help you with information and guidance please email us at info@migrantaction.org.uk

Caption: Katrine from Migrant Action meeting Vie ClercLusandu from the3MillionYorkshie and InLimbo-Our Brexit Testimonies. 

Migrant Action volunteers: Making a real difference

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Migrant Action volunteers: Making a real difference

At Migrant Action, we recognise the right, agency and desire that people have to participate in the life of their communities through volunteering. Volunteering is an instrument of solidarity and shared humanity. Migrant Action highly values immensely the diverse contribution volunteers make in every aspect of the organisation.

Migrant Action is committed in supporting, enabling, celebrating and increasing opportunities for volunteering. Volunteers are welcomed to apply their creative and diverse skills, knowledge and experiences to enhance the organisation’s work. Volunteers constitute a vital strategic partnership between Migrant Action and local community playing a central role in service delivery, fundraising, networking, communications and overall success.

Following a review of Migrant Action’s communication strategy, our volunteers are helping to set out and implement a new proactive communications and fundraising strategy for the organisation.

Migrant Action volunteers; Bailey, Megan, Lina, Celeste in strategy session with Julia (MA Trustee) & Fidelis.

Also, Harriet joined a team of volunteers in helping vulnerable migrants in the refugee/migrant camp in Calais.  Harriet and the team spent 2 days in Calais working with Help Refugees to provide basic humanitarian assistance to the refugees and vulnerable migrants. Through volunteering within the organisation, in the community or abroad, our volunteers put in action the values, goals and vision of Migrant Action. We appreciate and celebrate the fantastic work of all our volunteers.

Harriet and her team in the refugee/migrant camp in Calais. Listen to her inspirational podcast on our Facebook page linked below and support Migrant Action’s work.

 

Migrant Action in Barnsley: Advocating and supporting migrants

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Migrant Action is an advocacy and rights based organisation. Our mission is to empower migrants and reduce vulnerability. Through our work we aim to advocate for vulnerable migrants and increase access to justice. We work to overcome the effects of government policies that create vulnerability amongst migrants. Migrant Action is committed to Migrant justice and integration.

Since 2016, Migrant Action has been supporting new and vulnerable migrants (non-asylum seekers or refugees) including migrants with insecure and irregular immigration status in Leeds area. Visit our Facebook and website www.migrantaction.org for more information about our work. In April 2018, Migrant Action was made aware of the lack of appropriate service provision in Barnsley for other migrants who are not asylum seekers and refugees but who needed advice, guidance, advocacy and other forms of practical support.

Migrant Action’s consultation with local partner agencies in Barnsley confirmed the gap in specialist service provision for other migrants who are not asylum seekers or refugees. Consequently, from May 2018, Migrant Action operates drop-in service in Barnsley every fortnight from 1-4pm at The CORE, County Way in Barnsley. We are excited about the prospects of this new service development.

What help do we offer?

To Migrants;

* Information, impartial/non-directive advice and guidance

* Advocacy support

* Monthly community Pop-up information & advice sessions

* Access to justice (legal advice & advocacy)

* A safe space to explore options

* Integration support

How can our work benefit local community?

* Volunteer opportunities

* Engagement and greater access to ‘hard to reach’ group

* Increase awareness and improve understanding and change attitudes.

* Improve community relations and social cohesion

Our new service in Barnsley is an exciting service development opportunity working closely with other organisations and local community.

MP’s visit

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On 6th April, Stuart Andrew MP for Pudsey, Horsforth & Aireborough met with the staff and management of RETAS and Migrant Action at RETAS offices in Leeds. Stuart was keen to understand the needs and experiences of asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants and how RETAS and Migrant Action are enabling and supporting people who access their services.
The conversations with the MP captured the service model and interventions delivered by both services ranging from advice, education (ESOL), employment support, information and guidance, advocacy, facilitating integration, mentoring, access to legal advice etc. Both services provide a pathway for negotiating other forms of external support and assistance for refugees and other migrants. The discussions also highlighted the manifestations of the direct impact of government policies on different categories of migration and the implications for local service provision.
It was a positive visit and the MP reassured staff and management of his passion for local community resilience and commitment to continue supporting the work of RETAS and Migrant Action in various ways at local and governmental level.

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