Refugee Welcome Programme Commissioning Launch

As part of the Greater Manchester Refugee Welcome Programme, Manchester City Council (MCC) wishes to grant fund two lead voluntary, community, faith sector (VCFS) organisations to provide a service which integrates ESOL, Employability and Integration support for people seeking asylum and refugees.

What is the Refugee Welcome Programme? 
In response to the known gaps in integration-focused provision for people seeking asylum and new refugees in Greater Manchester, as well as the individual and system-level risks created by increasing numbers of asylum decisions since 2023, GMCA has provided Manchester with £657,814 to deliver the Refugee Welcome Programme by funding local provision to boost the voluntary sector-led integration, work and skills offer to people seeking asylum and refugees living in the city-region. The overall aim of the Refugee Welcome Programme is to ensure all new refugees and people seeking asylum who are resident in GM can access English language education, employability and employment support that is culturally- and trauma-informed and suitable to their skills and needs. The programme will be delivered across two years.

What will successful applicants be required to do?

• To engage people seeking asylum and refugees in Manchester
• To deliver ESOL, Integration and Employability support to people pre- and post- asylum decision
• To recruit dedicated RWP Key Workers
• To deliver services in both contingency hotels and community settings
• To work alongside Manchester Adult Education Service (MAES) in the delivery of ESOL support
• To demonstrate evidence of and work alongside partners to deliver a holistic offer of support
• To move people closer towards/into employment 

For more information and to apply, please see the attached documents, including slides from the briefing session held on 10 February 2025. A recording of the session can be viewed on YouTube below.

 

Manchester City Council must receive your application by Friday 28 February 2025. Applications received after this will not be considered. Please email millie.woodcock@manchester.gov.uk with completed applications.

Please email lauren.calderbank@manchester.gov.uk with any queries.