Migrant Support Service
Trustee Annual Report 2023- 24
The Issue addressed by Mlgrant Support Servlce
Over 9% ofthe population of the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough
Councilwere born outside of the British Isles. They include newcomers who are migrant
workers, refugees, and increasingly asylum seekers from many continents as well as
those who are well settled. There is a high concentration in the more deprNed areas of
Portadown.
The Migrant Support Service (MSS) is needed because newcomers want supportto
overcome the obstacles of navigating a new culture and language and of choosing the
actions thatwill bettertheirlives. MSS knlkswith, oraccompanies them to leam what
support they require. It involves them as agents of their own lives in the development.
design, and delivery of the project'walkingwith Migrants,.
The project aimed during the past year to improve the lives of some 300 mlgrants INing
in the ABC and Mid Ulster Boroughs. Byofferingadvice and support on a range ofsocial
issues. by advocating on behalf of individuals and their families. and by offering
language and other training opportunities the project expected to: reduce isolation; to
empower newcomers with improved knowledge of available servlces; to build their
confidence in accessingthem; to help them develop addttional networks; to enable
them to integrate better into the community. and to improvethe mentalwellbeing of
individuals.
What MSS dld to address the needs of newcomers
The activities we engaged in duringthe twelve months from 1stApril 2023 to April 2024
can be categorised in groups to facilitate description. Under the category of immigration
we dealt mostlywith settlement status and carried out about 350 inteNlews that led to
decisions and actions. Underthe category of 'Settling In'we dealtwith issues such
registrations and applications for example to obtain a GP. a bank account. school
enrolments, national insurance number, chiLd benefit and this Involved 300 interviews.
Employment issues included tax credits, tax Payments, universal credit, workplace
grievances etc and involved about400 interviews: Training and leaming includes ESOL.
other languages and social and personal development courses that90 people
completed satisfactorily. The category offood poverty involved food vouchers,
Christmas dinners and referrals and amounted to 150 cases.
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We attempted to developthe capactyof Migrant Support Service by improving staff
communication and skills through training and workshops involving about 80 person-
hours. Staff development also saw the emergence of a CEOwith responsibilities at the
level of strategic oversight, financlal management. project management. course
development and legal leadership.
In allthere were 3750 interactions. Interactions mean mostly problem-solving
interviews, two-hour classes and otherforms of meeting.
The results of these activities
In the pastyearwe worked with about 385 indtviduals on a wide range of issues. Each
issue that is resolved contributes 8 qU8ntum of improvement in people's lives. Consider
the analogy of tidying upyour room: if you start somewhere and put away one thing
after another one thing is tldied after another, a point will be reached where an
improvement in mental well-being is experienced. Newcomers often reportthattheyare
so overwhelmed bythe newness of their sitU8tion thatthey don't knowwhere to tum or
whereto start. Whentogetheryou resolve an issue theyfeel much better and gain in
hope forthe future. Some lives can be said to have been transformed by significant
achievements such as finding employment, enrolling in college, orreunitingwtth
families. M described his experience as follows:
"I was lost in the complex immigration system until I found your charity. Your guidance
helped me reunite with myfamily afteryears apart. The immigration process was
difficultforme to understand. Yourpatientadvisors walked me through evEryStep.
explaining my options and helping me gatherthe right documentation. Thanks to your
help. I was able to sponsor mywife and children. Afterfouryears of separation, we're
finallytogether again, building our life in Northem Ireland. Words can't express how
grateful l am for your support duringthis challenging time."
Byworkingwith people on procedure and by resolving Issues related to Universal Credit.
or otherforms of socialwelfare we build up confidence in the system and in the
indmdual's abiltyto interact with it. Showing howto use smart phones to dealwith
service agencies we have enabled manypeople to sortouttheiraffairs. Theyachieve
autonomy in keeping their situation up to date.
They become adept in dealingwith immigration issues such as the rightto reside and
the right to work which are basic to building up lives.
English classes and otherforms training provide, 8t least. an opportunityto come outof
isolation and join with others in shared undertakings. In many cases relationships are
formed and continue into daily living. At best, some discovered their capacityto take on
further leaming which opened doors to other networks and affillations.
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R reported that"leaming English through your progrdm opened so many opportunrties.
I'm now pursuing higher education. something I neverthought possible before. When I
startedyour classes, I could barely introduce myself in English. I'm doing my bachelor's
degree in social science at the local university. Your teachers didn't just teach me
grammar and vocabulaw. theyinstilled in me the confidence to dre8m bigger. Thanks to
your organisation I'm on track to become the first person in my familyto graduate from
university".
By supporting people in negotiatingthe whole range of problems we empowered them
to build the substratum of arrangements that underpin a flourishing life.
How MSS knows it made a difference
We maintain 8 databasethat recordsthe issues encountered by newcomers and
whether or notthey resolve their issues. We 8skforfeedb8ck and accounts of
experience. We report regularlyto stakeholders on the progress, or not. ofthe project.
We knew we had achieved success when other organizations began seeking our
expertise and assistance. This recognition not only affirmed the value of ourwork but
8lso demonstrated the trust and respectwe've earned within the community. Their
requests forourguidance reinforced our impact and inspired us to continue striving for
excellence and good practice.
How MSS will change Its workforthe better
We had previouslyworked on the assumption that whatwas relevant to newcomers was
'settling in.. In the current tree year projectwe are guided tythe idea of accomparying
migrants. or, as we named the project-'Walkingwith Migrants.. We wanted to learn
fromthe migrants whattheywant ratherthan assume that we already know. We arrived
at a model that looks at the migrant's transition as journey through phases of settling in,
building relations. participating in the local community. and flourishing. An appropriate
response on our part Is to Joumey alongslde and enable them to feelwelcome and safe.
making progress, belonging, and contributingto and receivingfrom 8 community.
We have come to understand that a comprehensive approach is called for. It includes
legal assistsnce. language trdining. employment support, and access to healthca￿.
Holistic support is necessary if migrants are to make the transition and flourish in their
new surroundings.
Projects that engage residents. employers. and Ioc8l organisations create a more
supportive environment for migrants. Communtyinvolvement is keyto successful
integration.
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projects that encourage the sharing of traditions, languages. and experiences foster
mutual respect and understanding. Integration is a two-way processwhere both
migrants and host communities benefit from cultural exchange. Cultural exchange
enriches everyone.
Creating safe spaces where migrants feel secure and valued is crucial. Trust is built
through consistent, reliable support and by protecting migrants, rights and dignity.
Buildingtrust and safety is fundamental.
Integration is not a quick process; it requires ongoing effort and resources. Projects must be
designed wtth sustsinability in mind. ensuring continuous support for both migrants and the
local communty. Long-temi commitment is requlred.
OveralL awell-coordinated, empathetic approach that benefrts both migrants and the
communttiesth8twelcome them is necessary.
Ourexperience has been thatthevolume and complextyofthe issues thatproblems are dealt
with one at a time and as efficiently as po￿lble. This can lead to 8 transactional relationship
WTth clients. We also need to spend time building relationships and communty. English
classes and training events lend themselves more to thts approach. Our ne*( project should
emphasise community building and integration.
This emphasis is also indicated bythe violent expression of anti-migrant sentiment in England
and Belfast in the Summer of 2024which suggests thatthe emphasis on pluralism and
diversty needs to be balanced with emphasis on the commons- shared experience, shared
understsndin& and co-responsibilityfora shared communty. A new challenge is beginning to
emerge. namely. the arrival of asylum seekers who have experienced refusaL are awaitsng a
decision about 8ppeaL They are destitute and often without somewhere to sleep. This
requires 8 new response.
Sfgned on behalf of the Tntstees
Alicja Moates, Trustee, Chairperson
Date: 1811112024
Brendan MacPartlin, Trustee, Secretary
Date: 1811112024
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