Dear Friends and Supporters,

We have great news:
On Friday Manchester City of Sanctuary officially received its charitable status! (Charity reference: 1168839). This marks the 2nd Chapter in MCoS’s story of creating a culture of welcome for asylum seekers and refugees in Manchester. Perhaps you’d like to get involved?

Manchester City of Sanctuary Trustees are actively looking for a new Chair of Trustees. Who do you know who would delight to take on this significant voluntary role? (See below for details.)

We also invite you to join us on Thursday 15th for our September Conversation Club at Cross Street Chapel, M2 4WG at 6-8pm.

NEWS: Six new asylum and refugee families have been learning to cycle supported by Whalley Range on Wheels volunteers and instructors at Alexandra Park. Thank you to everyone who has donated to the scheme through GoFundme.com.

Please check out www . GoFundMe . com/MCoS-Ride-Free if you can help with transport costs for our 3rd and final Cycle course (£50 per week).

Finally, would you like to be an Asylum Guidewith Refugee Action? There’s an information session on Thursday 1^st September at 12.30pm (see below for further details).

Greetings for the new term!
from Jane, Charles, Jeff, Fay, Dianne, Zhila, Maryam and David.

New Opportunities

for experienced, able persons who share Manchester City of Sanctuary’s passion for creating a culture of hospitality and welcome for sanctuary seekers in Manchester.

WANTED:  Chair of Trustees 2016-18
For job description, person spec. and application form please email [email protected] or [email protected]
Deadline: Thursday 29th September 12noon. Interviews for Chair & other Trustees Thursday 6th October.

We are also seeking the right person to act as:
Vice-chair of Trustees
Secretary to the Board
Vice-Treasurer
IT & Website manager

Other volunteer roles available:
Arts co-ordinator
ESOL co-ordinator
ESOL teacher
Activities co-ordinator
Shopping Buddies coo-ordinator
Admin assistant
Talk English Friends co-ordinator
Fundraiser assistant

For full details please email [email protected]

Do you want to be part of a team that empowers asylum seekers to take control of their asylum journey?

An INFORMATION SESSION will be held: Thursday 1^st September at 12.30pm,

What is the role?

Our clients are asylum seekers who have recently arrived in Greater Manchester, seeking safety after fleeing conflict and persecution in their country of origin. In order for asylum seekers to be granted protection, they need to understand the complex asylum system.

Refugee Action will match up Asylum Guide volunteers with people and families claiming asylum in Greater Manchester. Meeting at key stages of the asylum process, they will offer guidance and information. The aim is to increase legal literacy – empowering people to navigate and better engage with the complex asylum system.

Do you have?

• A positive approach to working in a multi-cultural and multi-racial setting;
• Basic IT skills
• A commitment to empowering other people and promoting independence.
• Willingness to develop new knowledge and skills
• Other language skills are helpful but not essential;
• Approx. 5 hours a month to meet your client/s.

Refugee Action will provide:

• In depth, specialist training on the asylum process
• Induction, and ongoing support / supervision
• Travel expenses and other incurred expenses relating to the role.

For more information about the role and Refugee Action an INFORMATION SESSION will be held: Thursday 1^st September at 12.30pm,
Canada House, 3 Chepstow St,
Manchester, M1 5FW.

How do I apply?

Please register your interest online at www . refugee-action . org . uk/volunteer

For further role specific enquiries please email [email protected]

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees has launched a new Inquiry into the experiences of new refugees in the UK.  This inquiry will look into the experiences of refugees who have claimed asylum in the UK, as well as those who have arrived as refugees in the UK through resettlement schemes.

This is a brilliant opportunity for Parliament to hear directly from refugees and those involved in providing support for refugees. The inquiry is particularly interested in hearing from individuals and group about barriers to integration, employment, housing and health services.

You can read the full terms of reference here for the Inquiry on the Refugee Council website. Responses must be submitted by the 1st October 2016 to
[email protected]

Julia Savage from Regional Asylum Activism Network will be holding an initial information session
on Thursday 15th September at 5pm- 6pm before the Conversation Club.
Please get in touch if you would like more information.

Opportunities

Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit are recruiting a part-time Project Worker for their ‘Somewhere to Go’ project, which aims to support women who have no recourse to public funds at risk of domestic violence, trafficking, exploitation, forced labour, or prostitution.
Deadline Tuesday 6 September 12 noon. More details on the GMIAU website . 

If you are a local resident or student and are interested in supporting Manchester City of Sanctuary by volunteering your time this meeting is for you.
If you are already supporting by coming to Conversation Club, teaching English, being a Shopping Buddy or giving Cycle lessons, this networking opportunity is for you.
The meeting will be held on Thursday 22nd September 7-9pm at TCRC, Richmond Grove, Longsight.  Refreshments from 7pm.

Following an open meeting in Manchester in May, City of Sanctuary are working towards the launch of
a Maternity Stream in Salford and Manchester
on November 19th. Save the date.
if you are interested in working for improved local maternity care for asylum seeking and refugee women,
or,  if you are yourself a sanctuary seeker, who has experienced pregnancy or childbirth in the Manchester area and you would like to have your say!
Email [email protected]

•   Thursday 1st September 12.30pm – Information Meeting for Asylum Guidesat Canada House, M
• Thursday 8th September 10am -12pm Volunteer Planning Meeting for Conversation Clubs @ TCRC, Lomgsight.
• Thursday 15th September 5-6pm: Information Session for Refugees to tell Parliament how it really is! ( before Conversation Club)
• Thursday 15th September 6-8pm Conversation Club @Cross Street Chapel, Manchester City Centre, M2 4WG (entrance on Cross Street). All welcome
• Thursday 22nd September 7-9pm: Supporter Networking Event @TCRC
• Thursday 29th September 12noon –   Deadline for applications for new Chair of Trustees of MCoS
• Thursday 6th October 5.30 onwards – Interviews for Chair & other Trustees
• Thursday 13th October 5.30-8pm -1st Trustees Meeting of MCoS as a charity @TCRC

“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 2005