British Red Cross - Greater Manchester Refugee Services

The British Red Cross helps vulnerable people in crisis. We help asylum seekers and refugees access essential services and adjust to life in a new country.

Our orientation service helps vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers adapt to life in a new country by offering:

  • Short term, one-to-one advice and support in adjusting to a new environment
  • Help with accessing health, education, welfare and legal services
  • Information about local facilities such as libraries, pharmacies and post offices
  • Links to local community groups, play groups and English language classes
  • Details of other services and agencies assisting refugees and asylum seekers.
  • Travel assistance service for refugees who are looking to be reunited with their families.

Many of our trained volunteers come from refugee backgrounds themselves and speak over 20 languages.

When matching volunteers and service users we always strive to provide someone who knows the local area and we consider language needs and gender.

The Red Cross helps those asylum seekers unable to obtain support from the state and local authorities.

This may be because their cases have been fully determined (rejected) or because they have been granted asylum but are having problems moving onto employment or mainstream benefits.

Working in partnership with five projects across Greater Manchester (St Brides, Rainbow Haven, Oldham Unity, BRASS and Salford Food Parcels) the Red Cross offers destitute asylum seekers and refugees:

  • Food parcels, toiletries and money for a daily bus ticket
  • Help in accessing legal advice, support and accommodation
  • Details of useful health and educational institutions

Women’s integration and support project (WISP)

Thursdays 10am - 2pm

WISP helps refugee and asylum seeking women adjust to life in Britain by providing educational and social opportunities and the chance to meet other women in a friendly setting where young children are welcome and catered for. We give women the opportunity to improve their English and other skills, while providing a supportive environment in which they can relax and enjoy themselves.

Activities can include informal English language support, signposting, information sessions, arts and crafts workshops and trips during school holidays.

Bridge men’s group

Wednesdays 1pm - 4pm

Bridge aims to help refugee and asylum seeking men facing isolation, disorientation, boredom and loneliness.

We offer the opportunity to make new friends and learn skills relevant to integration into a new city and culture. This can include IT tasters, orientation tours of Manchester city centre, jobs and volunteering workshops, first aid training and football tournaments.

Who to contact

Telephone
0344 871 11 11 0344 871 11 11
Website
Red Cross
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Where to go

Name
British Red Cross
Address
Bradbury House, 10
Brindley Road
City Park
Old Trafford
Manchester
Postcode
M16 9HQ
View M16 9HQ on a map

Availability

Referral Required?
Yes
Referral Details

To make a referral please contact: 0161 888 8932 or Fax: 0161 888 8901 or email: gmrs@redcross.org.uk

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