If you would like further information on Migrant Community Network or would like a Networker to deliver an information session to those that attend your services, or if you would like to discuss how the MCN can assist in reaching out to communities,
Please contact
Shafique Sheikh, Lead Networker, 07762 633432, shaff.mcn@gmail.com
Pria Bhabra, Project Officer, 07891 272004, pria.bhabra@leeds.gov.uk
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More about the award winning Migrant Community Network
Leeds Migration Partnership leads on a number of projects to change the way services are delivered to and accessed by migrant groups in the city. Migrant Community Network aims to find innovative solutions to support the parts of statutory and third sector services that can become stretched by the needs of existing migrants and new arrivals to Leeds. Part of the project works in partnership with other agencies and organisations to recruit and support migrant volunteer’s as Community Networker’s. The training, developed jointly by Touchstone and Feel Good Factor, is currently recruiting its fourth round of participants.
The aim is to support community networker’s from different national, ethnic or language backgrounds to enable them to spread basic, accurate messages to migrant communities on housing, employment, education, financial inclusion, social care and pathways to health including wellbeing and mental health.
The work of Migrant Access Points has been recognised both within the local authority staff awards of excellence and highlighted as an exemplar of good practice in the recent external assessment under the Equality Framework for Local Government.
Partnership working has been the key to the successes and achievements of the project. Chapeltown Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Job Centre Plus, NHS Leeds, Adult Social Care, Children and Young People’s Services, Housing Options, Education, Touchstone and Customer Services have helped to capitalise on venues and training.
Voluntary sector organisations are important access points to communities and have helped to make links with many communities so that they can take part in the training programme. Advocacy Support, Refugee Action, Refugee Forum, Refugee Council, RETAS (Refugee Education Training Advisory Service), LASSN (Leeds Asylum Seekers Support Network), BME Network, Solace, Intercontinental Skills Centre(ISC), Together 4 Peace (T4P), and many others, are continuing to support the project and work in partnership to encourage, engage and sustain stronger communities.
Migrant Access Points has successfully empowered migrant communities to build their capacity to increase support and to enable community members to access services appropriately. Migrant Community Networker’s (MCNs) have developed networks, encouraged their communities to attend information sessions to build their confidence and decrease feelings of isolation, thus aiming integration into wider communities.
Migrant Community Network 