On 29 June, Migrant Action in collaboration with Project 17 (a London based charity) hosted advisers from statutory and voluntary sector organisations across West Yorkshire on a one day training session on the theme ‘Supporting families with No Recourse to Public Funds’. [Read more…]
MP’s visit
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.
Paul Hamlyn Foundation: Peer learning session
In 2017, Migrant Action was selected to take part in a peer learning session organised by Paul Hamlyn Foundation. Facilitated by Esther Foreman CEO of Social Change agency, Fidelis joined the CEOs of PRAXIS, Migrant Resource Centre and Refugee and Migrant Centre. Themed around ‘Movement building for service delivery organisations’ the sessions focused on sustainability and leadership, Communications, Strategy, Service User Voice and advocacy, Service delivery and challenging power.
The Peer learning session also involved an Action learning exercise whereby peers guided each other’s reflection and thinking on strategic organisational challenges and offered honest feedback and guidance. This was extremely useful shared learning from peers with lived experience and expertise. The learning gained from the sessions would be factored into our service delivery and service development plans.
Through participating in the learning set, Migrant Action has built new links and is seeking to establish strategic partnerships with Migrant Resource Centre and PRAXIS both having extensive experience of working with other migrants including irregular migrants.
Overall, it’s been an enriching and enabling exercise, very worthwhile.
Migrant Organisers: Building alliances, finding common ground, Growing power!
Migrant Action took part in a networking event organised by Migrants Organise, a London based charity. The event brought together a diverse group of migrant ‘organisers’ and organisations from across the country. [Read more…]
Migrant Action hosts roundtable discussion on migration and integration.
On the 15th of March, Migrant Action hosted a roundtable discussion on Migration in Leeds. Convened by the Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF), the event brought together charitable foundations and organizations working with asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in the Leeds area. [Read more…]
