Our Work
Success stories - these are some ways in which we making a positive impact:
Youth Welfare Project
Funded by
Background
Research by Migrant Help in 2022 observed that young asylum-seeking men aged 18-25 often struggle with mental health difficulties, and exhibit a sense of distrust in authorities. This makes them less likely to engage with existing support services. In turn, this puts them at risk of encountering additional challenges to their asylum process, whilst also frequently developing heightened anxiety and feelings of isolation.
S-REP have received funding from Migrant Help to establish a new service which will support young asylum seekers as they start a new life in Stockport. We have established two new Youth Welfare Officer roles and hired two new team members to deliver this important piece of work.
Impact
Migrant Help have found from previous projects that The Youth Welfare Officer role fills several gaps in services, which can be categorised into three key parts. Firstly, it fills a significant safeguarding gap; young people are vulnerable to exploitation, abuse and trafficking as they are housed in multi-occupancy buildings with limited support. Secondly, it fills a system navigation gap; young people’s requirements are different to adults. Thirdly, it fills an integration and community building gap.
The Story So Far
Starting in August 2023 our Youth Welfare Officers have been helping young Asylum Seekers to access a range of social, emotional and practical support while they navigate the complex and challenging processes of the UK asylum system. Our team are a consistent and stable point of contact for young people, and crucially they are being compassionate, adaptive and responsive, resolving immediate issues where possible; building trust; accompanying, referring and signposting to appropriate services and activities; ensuring that the safety and well-being of young asylum seekers is paramount. The service currently has funding until August 2024.
“The Youth Welfare Officer is a much- needed source of support in helping
young people navigate through the UK asylum system, signpost them to additional services and support systems, connect them with social and community events, and provide them with emotional and mental health support.”
~ Migrant Help Evaluation Team
Working in Partnership
Providing culturally-appropriate food for the poorest in our communities.
While there are good food banks and food delivery services in Stockport, we found that ethnically diverse communities were sometimes unable to use the food provided. They were unsure of what it was or how to cook it. Not only was this causing physical problems through hunger, but also mental health issues arouse as food plays such an important role in our happiness as people.
In June 2020 we set up a culturally-diverse food bank (in response to the pandemic), run by volunteers from different communities. In partnership with FareShare, we provided African, Caribbean, Asian and even Polish food. We supported over 2,500 people in the first year.
We also built educational opportunities around the foodbank, with lessons on financial planning, budgeting and brought cooking British food – with a local chef. A sewing club was also born out of this work, providing an opportunity to socialise.
Cultural Food Bank
Stockport Community Champions
Supporting the vaccine roll-out
Ethnic minorities were accessing the Covid vaccination in smaller numbers than white residents of Stockport. We worked with the NHS to promote the vaccine roll-out to diverse communities. We supported existing vaccination pop-ups across the borough and established new ones in mosques. Our Community Champions and Wellness Hub supported ethnically diverse people affected by Covid.
Stockport Council had ‘Community Champions Funding’ of £650,000 to distribute, and was concerned that it might not receive applications from ethnically diverse communities. We convened a forum, bringing key players together with community groups, giving confidence in the process and ways to apply. As a result, three EDC groups applied, securing over £125,000.
Working in Partnership
Integrating Communities
Through Cultural Awareness Events
We run a Black History Month exhibition to teach the people of Stockport about the history of black people in their borough. We moved it online in 2020. The launch event welcomed visitors from Stockport Council, GMCA and other key influencers, and we had over 5,000 unique visitors to our website. From October 2021, we will be touring a ‘real’ exhibition to venues across Stockport.
Working in Partnership
Hate Crime Partnership
To Reduce Race Hate and Increase Understanding
Race hate is the highest of all hate crimes in Stockport (47%) and is sometimes ineffectively handled by the authorities. The ripple effect of this crime can stay with victims and their families for years and causes distrust in the police and other parts of the system.
We work to bring together ethnically diverse communities, the police, GMCA, the Mayor’s office and others for the Hate Crime Partnership, to build bridges and confidence between our communities.
Mental Health Support
And tacking misconceptions of EDC Mental Wellbeing
Poor mental health is prevalent in ethnically diverse communities and support is sporadic. We work within our communities to identify people requiring support. We then help the individuals and their families to navigate the system and get help – this is done on a case by case level and is bespoke each time to the person who needs support.
We are now working with Stockport User-Friendly Fellowship (STUFF) to apply for funding to enable this work to happen in a more sustainable way.
Working in Partnership
