Information for Refugees and Migrants

There are many organisations in the UK that give advice to people. They can help you to understand:

• how things work in the UK work 
• your legal and welfare rights (the support and help you can get and how you should be treated by the government, companies and other people)
• what support there is for you and your family around work, education, childcare, leisure and other services

Legal Advice

Legal Aid (Free Legal Advice)

If you are involved in a legal matter you may be able to get 'Legal Aid'.

• This is a government-backed scheme to help people access proper legal advice and support
• If you are entitled to legal aid it means that the solicitor will help you free of charge although there may be limits on how much help you can get.  

Asylum and Immigration Advice
If you are claiming asylum in the UK or have other complicated immigration matters to deal with, you will need good legal advice from a solicitor (a qualified legal practitioner) who is experienced in immigration law and can take on your case.  

Currently all asylum seekers get at least 5 hours of "Legal Aid"- that means that you will not have to pay for the first 5 hours of a solicitor's time. If there are further complications to your case or if you need to change solicitor you may be entitled to more hours of legal aid. Things often change and you should check with your solicitor or one of the other contacts in this section to make sure you know what your rights are and how changes affect you.  

If you are claiming asylum you will be asked to go to a meeting to describe the circumstances that made you come to the UK . This is called a "Substantive Interview". You should talk to a solicitor before this meeting.

Community Legal Aid keep a list of legal advisors who have been checked and given a "Quality Mark". If your solicitor asks for money to carry on working on your case, check with an organisation like Community Legal Aid to see if you should be paying for your legal advice.

The Community Legal Aid website will help you find good legal advisors closest to your postcode. You can look for specialist advice, for example immigration solicitors

Immigration Advice
The Directgov website  has the most current information and links regarding immigration and visas.

Since 2001 it has been against the law for advice or community workers to give advice about asylum and immigration unless they are given permission to by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) or they are regulated by a professional legal body.

This means they cannot give advice about:

a)     a claim for asylum;

b)     an application for, or for the variation of, entry clearance or leave to              remain in the United Kingdom ;

c)      an application for an immigration employment document;

d)     nationality and citizenship under the law of the United Kingdom ;

e)     removal or deportation from the United Kingdom ;

This means you can be given a general leaflet and be told about websites or where to find legal assistance. However, most people will be unable to give you advice on your case or specific circumstances or even help you fill in a form for the Home Office. Only OISC regulated advisors and agencies will be able to give you more in-depth help.

The OISC website  will help you find your nearest regulated advisor and get more information about advice in your own language. Please phone 0845 000 0046

Manchester Advice Organisations

Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit - 0161 740 7722 

South Manchester Law Centre - 0161 225 5111

Migrant Workers North West  - 0161 877 6331

Specialist Advice for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Refugee Action is a national organisation, which has an office in Manchester ( 23-37 Edge Street , Manchester M4 1HW ) and a drop-in advice service for asylum-seekers and refugees. The drop-in gets very busy: It is sometimes quicker to use Refugee Action's free telephone advice service (called Clientline) to get advice on your problem. Please call 0800 917217

Manchester Refugee Support Network  (MRSN) operates a general advice service from their advice centre at (129, Princess Road in Moss Side). They provide a comprehensive range of advice and information on a wide range of issues including benefits, housing, debt and NASS payments.

The Routes Project  provides support and advice for families newly arrived from overseas to help them to access services including health, education, housing, benefits, immigration advice, activities and more.

For more general advice and help finding your way around, the British Red Cross  in Manchester provide an orientation service for refugees and asylum seekers.

National Organisations
There are a number of organisations in the UK that give general help to asylum seekers and refugees and help other people understand the issues faced by people who have fled persecution in their home countries. These include: 

• Immigration Advisory Service
• The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants
• The Refugee Council 
• Asylum Aid 

Most of these organisations are based in London , so it may be difficult to travel to their offices and they are unlikely to take you on as a full client, but it might be helpful to call their telephone advice lines or using their website for help with specific issues.

Positive Immigration Decisions
If you have just been granted "leave to remain" in the UK you may have to access some services very quickly to make sure you continue to get support, accommodation and are able to work.  Your nearest Jobcentre Plus can help you to find out about "welfare benefits".

To access support in finding you a new place to live, including advice about homelessness prevention and assessment, please contact the following organisations immediately;

Ask your UKBA housing provider to refer your case to the Homelessness Prevention and Assessment Service

AND

Please contact the Homelessness Asylum Team on 0161-234-1083,   0161 234 1084 or 0161 234 1082 (Monday to Friday 9.00am - 5.00pm)

It is best to contact the above organisations as soon as you get a positive decision as your support may end very suddenly.

It will help if you take documents showing your immigration status and current support when you go to appointments. It is good to keep a copy of all your documents at home.  

Free General Advice for People New to Manchester

Local Politicians

You can make an appointment to see one of your local Councillors or your local Member of Parliament (MP). They are elected by local people to represent the community and they hold regular advice sessions. They may be able to provide you with information, advice or assistance, depending upon the nature of the issue.

To  find out who your local MP and councillors are and how you can contact them go to the Manchester City Council Website

Welcome Centres and Drop-ins

Please find below a list of all the current Drop-ins and Welcome Centres across the city of Manchester . You will be given a warm welcome, advice and support.

North Manchester

The Lalley Welcome Centre
In the basement of St Malachy's School
Eggington Street
Collyhurst
Manchester
M40 7RG

Open Thursday 9.00am -3.30pm during school terms.
Please phone 0161 205 2754 for other opening times

The Open Door Coffee Shop
Harpurhey Community Church
Carisbrook Street
Harpurhey Manchester
M9 5UX

Open Tuesday 11.00am - 1.00pm

The Welcome Centre
Trinity Church
Corner of Greenhill Road and Cheetham Hill Road
Cheetham
M8 9LG

Open Thursday 1.00pm- 4.00pm and Friday 10.30am- 4.00pm
Tel: 0161 795 7139 Mobile 07968 231374 (Wednesday to Friday)

Cheetham United Drop In
St John's Church
Waterloo Road
Cheetham Hill
Manchester
M8 OAZ

Open Wednesday 12.00noon-2.00pm
Please Phone 0161 795 7139

Central Manchester

St Peter's Drop-in Centre
St. Peter's Square
Manchester
M60 2AF

This is a new project that will start in September 2009.
Please phone: 0161 234 3246

Rusholme Welcome Centre
Great Western Street
Rusholme
Manchester
M14 4HA

Open Thursday 1.00-3.00pm
Phone: 0161 227 3171

The Roby
307 Dickenson Road
Manchester
M13 0NG

Starting from October a Women only drop-in will be on Mondays 10.00am 12.00 noon.
South Asian Women's Support Group Thursday 10.30am-1.00pm
Please Phone 0161 257 2653

South Manchester

Wythenshawe Welcome Centre
Benchill Community Centre
Benchill Road
Wythenshawe
M22 8EJ

Open Thursday 1.00pm-4.00pm
Phone: 0161 945 0879

East Manchester

Rainbow Haven (PJ's)
St Paul and St John 's Church
113 Abbey Hey Lane
M18 7EN

Open Tuesdays and Thursdays 10.00am- 3.30pm
Please Phone 07985 884043 or 07985 885039

Oasis
Collier House
Wellington Street
Gorton
M18 8TX

Open Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10.00am-2.00pm
Also open on Monday evenings every two weeks 6.30pm-8.30pm

Please Phone 07749 078764

Email: oasisineastmanchester@live.com

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

The Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) offers free, confidential, impartial, and independent advice and information on a wide range of subjects. They also have a number of specialist Debt and Welfare Rights case workers.