Hi Friends,

Today I arrived at Alexandra Park to be met by the beaming face of Anne Simo cycling confidently for the first time in her life after only 5 lessons! The thill and sense of acheivement was immense. (Anne took part in the Sponsored Bike Ride 3 weeks ago on a tricycle as she had only had just started learning.)

Three more people have donated bikes. Thanks go to Sarah Cotterill who donated her well-loved bike today.
We hope to have enough bikes and equipment on Monday 18th April for all 12 of our cyclists to be given a bike to ride home. Volunteers from TfGM and TeamGlow will be accompanying our Sanctuary Seekers home on the initial journey.

Other pledges: Paul Woodcock has joined the ESOL teachers teaching In Salford; Joseph Fox has visited the Conversation Club to start his photographic documentary of Syrian settling in Manchester; Harriet Morgan- has pledged a course of blogging and creative writing; Olivia crittenden has offered to make a podcast for MCos; Roger Rendall has offered a walk in the countryside; Jeff Morgan has offered a guided tour of the City Centre sights.

We look forward to seeing many of you at our Easter Community Meal on Sunday 27th March at 1pm-3pm.

Greetings from David, Fay, Jeff, Nadine, Jane, Dianne, Charles, Jila, Anita, Mayam.

Last Thursday 80+ Asylum Seekers and lots of children and Supporters of MCoS enjoyed an evening of music and singing at Cross Street Chapel. Food was provided by Jade and Rena, researchers at Manchester University. “I was amazed by the laughter and positivity that came out of a simple idea like the conversation club.” marvelled one newcomer.

The next MCoS Community Meal will be on Easter Sunday 27th March 1-3pm at Transformation Community Resource Centre, Richmond Rd, Longsight M13 0LN.

The next Conversation Club will be on Thursday 21st April 6-8pm at Manchester Cathedral Visitors Centre, 10 Cateaton Street, near Selfridges, M3 1SQ.

Conversation Club is a chance for people of the same nationality or who speak the same language to meet and encourage each other and pass on news and advice on surviving in the asylum system.
It’s a chance for British people to share local knowledge and help sanctuary seekers integrate in their new society.

Maternity Services

On 13th and 17th March there were 2 Midwifery conferences in Manchester and Salford Universities. Rose McCarthy and two City of Sanctuary women, who could speak from firsthand experience, led seminars to raise levels of understanding of the issues women face, both in the countries they have fled from and within the UK asylum system.

On Thursday May 5th, 10am -12.30pm, we will be hosting the Launch of Manchester’s Maternity Stream for everyone interested in increasing levels of support for mothers-to-be who are also sanctuary seekers. We hope to bring together pregnant and nursing mothers who are sanctuary seekers, local midwives and health visitors, midwives, NCT members, doulas, breastfeeding support, befrienders and anyone else interested in supporting women during and after pregnancy.

Please contact becca@cityofsanctuary . org if you would like an invitation to the event at Transformation Community Resource Centre, Richmond Grove, M13 0LN, behind Longsight Police Station.
Please share #MCoSmaternitystream
 

Can you help?

You can now sign up for a direct debit form on our website https://manchester . cityofsanctuary . org. There will be donation boxes, direct debit forms and sponsor forms available at each Conversation Club. Please contact Anita if you can help [email protected] or [email protected]

Manchester City of Sanctuary runs on the generosity of its supporters.
People fleeing persecution and war usually arrive alone. They have left everything to find a place of safety. After a period of time in detention, and several addresses later, they may be moved to a street near you.
Please help us to connect new asylum seekers with people who can welcome and help them.

We need small amounts of money to use to pay bus fares.
Each Conversation Club needs 60-70 bus fares, each English Class, bike session, theatre ticket, planning group session needs 10-12 bus fares to make it possible for asylum seekers to take part.

We need larger amounts of money to fund our worker after September and to develop many more integration activities.

Activism Co-ordinator – Regional Asylum Activism North West – Maternity Cover

Location: Manchester, to cover the North West region
Hours: Full time (35 hours per week)
Salary: £25,000 per annum + pension
Contract: Maternity Cover 6 month contract with the possibility of extension

Regional Asylum Activism (RAA) uses regional organising to achieve a louder, better coordinated voice for asylum seekers and refugees. We support existing campaigns and increase the involvement of those with direct experience of asylum. Our aims are:

– To inform and change attitudes about asylum seekers and refugees.

– To campaign for positive change to the asylum system.

The successful candidate will have an excellent knowledge of asylum in the UK and the ability to provide a platform for those directly affected by injustice. They will know how to influence politicians, journalists and communities and have experience of achieving policy change. They will be able to build strong partnerships and work collaboratively with individuals and organisations.

How to apply:

Please download an application pack from the STAR website and return completed to Jonathan Waring at the email address in the pack, or at STAR, 356 Holloway Road, London, N7 6PA

Closing date for applications is 9 am, Monday 4th April
You must be available for interview Tuesday 12th April

For further information and a link to the application pack, see the STAR website: http ://www . star-network . org . uk/index . php/about/job_opportunities

We have just heard that Trust Greenbelt have agreed funding for a very special Whitsun Holiday Club. Children of Asylum Seekers and local British primary school-age children will be invited to spend a week creating a pop CD together.
Pop UK, and its’ singer/songwriter founder, Any Silver, will be spending 31st May-3rd June teaching vibrant, confidence-building songs to  children aged 5-12yrs. The following week the whole community will be invited to a Celebration Concert at the Jain Centre on Stockport Rd, Levenshulme.
Do check out the website www . popuk . org or view the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JFhcdb70R0“> https://www . youtube . com/watch?v=0JFhcdb70R0 ;
If you know any families who would like to get involved, please let Jane Graystone know at  jane@manchester . cityofsanctuary . org. The CD will be on sale at the Concert, raising money for MCoS.

“The objective of the City of Sanctuary movement is to create a culture of welcome and hospitality for those seeking Sanctuary, Refugees and other vulnerable migrants amongst us” – Inderjit Bhogal, founder of City of Sanctuary