Dear Friends and Supporters,
There are still £15 national express coach tickets left if you’d like to join the London Rally gathering at 12.30pm in Park Lane, walking to Parliament Square to express the depth ofsupport for refugees there is in this country.
Before the UN Summit Theresa May needs to be in no doubt of the strength of feeling. Do join the march with a suitable banner, ready to set off at 1.30pm. This will be followed by a Rally at 4.pm.
In case you haven’t heard: 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 ofcreating 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 ofTrustees. 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 Clubat Cross Street Chapel, M2 4WG at 6-8pm. We will be joined by Bally Singh from HOMEMcr and SBC Theatre Company who will be leading a workshop with us. They are touring with their innovative production exploring protest called TANYA (See below).
Manchester City of Sanctuary supporters are going in force so do join us. There are some free tickets still available. Contact jane@manchester.cityofsanctuary.org
Greetings for the new term!
from Jane, Charles, Jeff, Fay, Dianne, Zhila, Maryam and David.
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1. MCoS seeks able, experienced person to be its new Chair
New Opportunities
for experienced, able persons who share Manchester City of Sanctuary‘s passion for creating a cultureof hospitality and welcome for sanctuary seekers in Manchester.
WANTED: Chair of Trustees 2016-18
For job description, person spec. and application form please email jane@manchestercityofsanctuary.org 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 jane@manchestercityofsanctuary.org
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2. Touring production of ‘TANYA’ comes to The Lowry
‘TANYA ‘ on Tour comes to
The Lowry
Friday 16th & Saturday 17th September
SBC Theatre is the latest theatre company to be awarded a Theatre ofSanctuary Award for its powerful and effective work with asylum seekers and refugees. The outcome of SBC’s work is an impressive production based on the real life experience of Zimbambwean, Emily Ntshangase. The audience is taken on a journey from pity to admiration, from bystanders to protesters.
http ://strawberryblondecurls . com/book-tickets/
Manchester City of Sanctuary will be attending in force on the Friday evening. There also are some complimentary tickets left so please contact Jane if you would like to join us.
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3. All Party Parliamentary Group seeks evidence of experiences from new refugees to UK
Are you a new refugee? Would you like to tell the UK Government about the barriers you are experiencing in finding housing, and employment, accessing health services and language courses?
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Refugees has launched a new Inquiry into the experiences of new refugees in the UK. This is a brilliant opportunity for Parliament to hear directly from refugees and those involved in providing support for refugees.
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 at Cross Street Chapel
(before the Conversation Club.)
Please get in touch if you would like more information.
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4. MCoS Supporters Networking Meeting – Thursday 22nd September 7pm-9pm
If you are a interested in getting involved in supporting asylum seekers, if you are interested in volunteering your time and skills with Manchester City of Sanctuarythen this meeting is for you.
If you already support MCoS either 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, 11 Richmond Grove, M13 0LN behind Longsight Police Station.
Refreshments from 7pm.
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5. Eid Mubarak!
Eid Mubarak! To all our muslim sanctuary seekers. Have a wonderful celebration!
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6. Manchester City of Sanctuary Maternity Stream Launch -November 19th
Manchester City of Sanctuary announce their first
Maternity Stream Conference
at Salford University on
Saturday 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]
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7. Would you like to be an Asylum Guide for Refugee Action’s excellent new project?
Do you want to be part of a team that empowers asylum seekers to take controlof their asylum journey?
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.
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]
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8. MCoS Diary for September 2016
- 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
- Friday 16th September 7.30pm: TANYA at The Lowry
- Thursday 22nd September 7-9pm: Supporter Networking Event @TCRC
- Thursday 29th September 12noon – Deadline for applications for new Chair ofTrustees 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
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“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
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