Information for Refugees and Migrants

You can download this section as a pdf for printing if you need to.

Using a Public Telephone

There are public telephones in streets, stations, hotels, cafes, pubs and shopping centres. To pay for a call you need cash (coins) or a BT phone-card, which can be bought from a newsagent or grocery store. Instructions on how to make a call are written on the telephone handset. If you are making a call using cash try to have small coins available (10p, 20p or 50p pieces) as the boxes will not give change from a part used coin. The current cost of a phone box phone call is 40p for a 20 minute call within the UK .

Emergency calls to 999 are free.

Phone Cards

It is also possible to buy phone cards to make international calls. Most of these cards are good value and can be used either from a home telephone or from a public telephone. Check at newsagents in Moss-Side, Longsight, Rusholme, Cheetham Hill and the City Centre to find out which cards can be used to call your home country. It is a good idea to shop around - if you have access to the internet type International Phonecards into a search engine such as Google. See Section 7 - Your Home.

Help from the Telephone Operator

If your telephone line is provided by another company other than British Telecom (BT) please check with your provider if there are any other additional charges. If you are having trouble getting through to a particular telephone number you can call the BT operator.

Calls to the operator are free of charge.

• UK operator - dial 100
• International operator - dial 155

If you do not have the phone number that you need you can call directory enquiries.

All directory enquiries numbers start with 118 but there are many different companies for example 118118 or 118707.

For International directory enquiries - dial 153.

A charge is made for directory enquiries services and can be expensive!!

Finding Telephone Numbers

You should have a Phone Book in your house. This has:

• information on how to make telephone calls.
• lists of useful and emergency telephone numbers.
• a section of businesses and companies (listed from A-Z).
• a section of all telephone numbers (except people who do not want their numbers to be in, called being ex-directory).

You may also have Yellow Pages, a Thompson Directory or another free telephone directory. Companies pay to advertise in these books. These can be useful for finding out the names and contact details of companies that provide different goods and services.

International Direct Dialing

You can direct dial to over 180 countries from the UK . There may be cheap rate periods for direct dials to Europe and North America but this will depend on the telephone company (usually between 6.00pm and 8am every day). See the information pages at the back of a telephone directory for details of the cheapest time to call another country.

To dial overseas you will need to dial the following numbers in this sequence:

00 + the country code + the area code (without the first 0 or 9) + the local number.

Country codes  are listed in telephone directories or on the internet.

The International Call Comparison websitealso lists all the various service providers and their costs.

Transfer Costs and Reversed Charges

It is possible to transfer the cost of the phone call so that the person you are ringing pays for the call. To make a reversed charge call, dial 155 for the UK International Operator and ask for a reversed charge call. The person you are calling will be asked if he/she will accept the charge. This is a very expensive way to call internationally. 

Also consider if it is worth using Skype that can offer cost savings especially internationally.

Understanding the UK Telephone Numbering System and Their Costs

Numbers starting with: -

01 and 02        Charged at standard call rates

071 to 075       Mobile services - costs vary

077 to 079        Mobile services - costs vary

080                  Free Calls - not from Mobiles

0843                Basic (local) rate numbers 

0844                Basic (local) rate numbers 

0845                Basic (local) rate numbers 

0870                Higher National Rate Numbers

0871                Higher National Rate Numbers

0872                Higher National Rate Numbers

0873                Higher National Rate Numbers

090                  Premium Rate numbers - costs can be as high as £1.50

091                  Premium Rate numbers - costs can be as high as £1.50                                                                                                                                 
098                 Premium Rate numbers - costs vary and can
                       regularly exceed £1.50                              

The Postal (Mail) Service

You can buy stamps from newsagents, and other shops. You can post letters at any red post box. The times that the letters are collected are shown on each box. Most average size letters sent by First Class mail arrive the next day. Letters sent by Second Class mail usually take two or three days to arrive. You may need to go to a Post Office if you want to send:

• a big or heavy letter or parcel
• a letter with valuable or important things inside
• a letter abroad
• something urgently

  The Post Office

  The Post Office also deals with things like licences and government forms.

  You can pay your bills at the post office even if you do not have a bank account with them. There may be a small charge for this service. You can also buy postal orders or overseas money orders to send in the mail instead of cash or cheques.

  The Post Office website can help you locate your nearest post office and learn about the services they offer.

  When you are sending a letter it is best to include a Post Code. This is a set of numbers and letters that help Royal Mail find the right address. It is very helpful to know your own postcode. For example M60 2LA

  Many service providers and organisations will ask you for your postcode. It's a good idea to remember it or have it written on a piece of paper and keep it with you.

  The Royal Mail Website will help you find a postcode.

  Computer and Internet Access

  E-mails and the Internet are a good way of finding information and keeping in touch with people in your home country. Computer skills are also a common requirement for employment in the UK , so getting some computer training may help you to find work after being granted leave to remain.

  Access at Public Libraries

  All public libraries in Manchester offer free computer access to library users for limited times - for up to 2 hours a day. Only the first hour is free, the second hour costs £1. This is very popular (particularly at Manchester Central Library) so you may need to book a computer place in advance.

  To use a computer in public libraries you must have registered with the library and possess a library card. Libraries offer free one-to-one tuition in computer basics for anyone who wants to have a few sessions in learning the basics of sending and receiving emails, using the internet, word, etc. They will try to lead people into adult education and further education.  

  The Manchester Libraries website will help you find your nearest library and learn about what happens there. It gives details of all libraries with locations (you can click on a map), opening hours, and what is available, including story sessions for under 5's, homework support and more.
  

  Using the Library

  Manchester 's public libraries are free. You will need a library card, which you can get from the Issue Desk at any library. If you want to borrow a DVD or a CD you will need to show: -

  • either an ARC card or a letter from the Home Office,
  • And a document with your current address.

  Manchester Libraries across the city have a wide range of services which are free to use or access:

  • Services for the visually impaired
  • Keyboards and software for different languages
  • DVD films and CDs from around the world
  • Dual language books and books in different languages
  • Mulit-media books so that you can read and listen at the same time
  • Easy-reading books
  • Basic computer skills
  • Homework clubs for children 8 years old and above
  • Some locations have ESOL classes
  • Support to get into work (if you are eligible to work)

  Please ask at your local library if you are interested in any of these services.

  Internet Cafés

  Internet cafés charge a fixed price to let you use a computer and to access the internet. These cafés can be found across the city.

  Computer Training Courses

  Some training agencies in Manchester offer free computer courses through Learn Direct UK . Learn Direct is a national organisation, which helps people gain skills through training, online learning and information services. Manchester Libraries also have training courses on the use of computers and the internet.

  The Learn Direct Centre website has information on the nearest Centre. Please type in your post code.

  Some of the drop-ins and charities that work with newly arrived people from abroad offer free internet access and training courses.

  The Refugee and Migrants Forum has a directory with details of drop-ins and support organisations.

   

  The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) is a computer course that is widely recognised by employers across Europe . ECDL courses can be taken at many colleges in Manchester and the course is offered by different agencies such as voluntary and community organisations. You may have to pay for the course.

  There are many ECDL courses in Manchester . Searching on the internet for ECDL and Manchester will give you more information.

  Television

  If you have a television (TV) in your home, you must have a television licence, even if you only watch foreign channels or satellite TV.

  For more information on getting a licence See Section 7 Your Home.

  Once you have bought your TV and licence you will have access to the 5 main British TV channels these are: BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5. You will also be able to watch Channel M, the local Manchester TV station which provides local news and information.

  To get more British channels you can buy a digital TV receiver or Digibox. These can be very cheap - as little as £25. These will work with your TV arial as long as it is not too old. They give you over 40 channels and a number of radio stations. In the future you will only be able to get free TV if you own a Digibox.

  You can also buy Satellite and Cable TV, which may give you access to channels in other languages.

  Radio

  You do not need a licence to listen to the radio in the UK . Radios can be bought cheaply from a variety of local and high street shops, local markets and from large supermarkets. It is not always easy to hear foreign language stations clearly, though some can be heard more clearly in the evening. There are now a number of digital radio stations and you can buy a Digital Radio to listen to them (or tune in through your TV's Digibox if you have one).

  Local radio stations have some programmes made for Black and Asian audiences, and you may be able to pick up the BBC World Service broadcasts. You can also listen to a lot of overseas radio stations through the internet. You can find the programme lists and the frequencies for radio stations in magazines such as the TV guides as well as in some newspapers.

  Radio Regen's Website  has information about Manchester 's local radio stations like ALL FM (96.9FM) and Wythenshawe FM (97.2FM)

  Newspapers

  British Papers

  Britain has a wide range of newspapers and magazines. Daily national newspapers are available in broad sheet and tabloid formats.

  Manchester also has local daily papers, the Manchester Evening News and the Metro News and some local magazines.

  The Metro News is a free daily newspaper, which is distributed around the city centre, in libraries and on buses and trains. The Manchester Evening News is currently free in the City Centre but must be bought from shops outside of the City Centre.

  Newspapers are relatively inexpensive in the UK . All public libraries have a daily selection of British newspapers, which you can read for free in the library.

  Papers from Around the World

  • Central Library in St Peter's Square also has a few foreign (mainly European) newspapers in its Commercial Library.
  • Buying foreign newspapers can be quite expensive but they are available in many shops in Manchester , in areas such as Longsight, Cheetham Hill and in the City Centre.
  • For French language newspapers try the library at Alliance Française ( 56 Oxford Rd ), the institute for French culture.
  • The Instituto Cervantes (326-330 Deansgate) is a centre for promoting Spanish culture and also has a library with daily newspapers. You can become a member of both of these institutions.
  • If you have Internet access, you can read national newspapers from around the world over the Internet.

  Books

  Books can be quite expensive in the UK , however, the public libraries in Manchester have a wide range of books and are free to join.

  In addition to its English-language stock, Manchester Library Service has

  books and magazines in 30 foreign languages, including French, Arabic, Farsi, Bengali, Kurdish, Pushto and Somali. Most of these are kept in the Language and Literature section of the Central Library, though libraries in other areas may keep some foreign-language literature on their shelves.

  Find out which languages are stocked at different libraries.  

  If you want to buy foreign language books you are more likely to be able to find or order them from the main book stores in and around the City Centre.