In this section
For general information about the NHS, please read our section on ‘How to make the most of your NHS services’.
You can access free healthcare information and advice 24 hours a day by dialling 111. You can ask for an interpreter in your language by saying ‘interpreter please’. Or you can access the NHS 111 website here. https://111.nhs.uk/
This video provides more information on what the NHS provides and what is available for free:
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There are some additional services in the Manchester area specially for families that are newly arrived in the UK, including asylum seeking families and unaccompanied asylum seeking children.
Local help and support
The City of Manchester has created a booklet summarising where help can be obtained. https://cdn.cityofsanctuary.org/uploads/sites/33/2020/11/Everything-you-need-to-know-Booklet-FINAL.pdf
There are many non-governmental organisations providing general support for refugees and asylum seekers.
Family and child support
| Organisation | Contact | Description |
| All4One | Wednesdays 4:30-8:00pm Powerhouse 140 Raby St, Moss Side, Manchester M14 4SL | They bring together separated children and young people aged 13-21 seeking safety in the UK |
| Boaz Trust |
info@boaztrust.org.uk 0161 202 1056 |
Boaz Trust provides stable accommodation (and support to access housing) for people experiencing homelessness because of insecure, uncertain or recently changed immigration status (including people with refugee status, people refused asylum and people with No Recourse to Public Funds). Alongside accommodation, we offer holistic, trauma-informed support, ensuring people are able to meet their basic needs, navigate systems and access medical care and legal advice. |
| Greater Manchester Youth Network | support@gmyn.co.uk | They provide development programmes and drop-in activities to support young people aged 10-25 across Greater Manchester |
| Mamas and babies group |
info@rainbowhaven.org.uk Gorton, Wednesdays 1-2.30pm |
They provide a space for mothers and babies to socialise. There is also a creche for older children |
| Safety 4 Sisters |
info@safety4sisters.org
|
Safety 4 Sisters works to address the needs of the women we support by delivering specialist support which considers their safety, social, political, and economic needs. Support is underpinned by several strands of services and activities, none of which operate in isolation but in tandem, providing a cascading system of support services to migrant women with no recourse to public funds. |
| Women Asylum Seekers Together ‘WAST’ |
contact@wastmanchester.com 07860393312 10.30am – 2pm (except school holidays) |
A network of over 150 women living in Greater Manchester who share experiences, empower and offer support to each other. We are open Fridays. |
General refugee and asylum seeker support including advocacy and legal advice
| Organisation | Contact | Description |
| Freedom From Torture | Email: northwest@freedomfrom torture.orgPhone: 0161 236 5744 |
They help men, women and children who have survived physical and psychological torture |
| Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit and Greater Manchester Law Centre |
www.gmiau.org and www.gmlaw.org.uk Phone: advice line |
They provide free legal and immigration advice and support |
| Greater Together Manchester | https://www.greatertogether manchester.org/find-help |
They provide a map of different services available for support with food, energy, money and housing worries, refugee and people seeking asylum, as well as trafficking and slavery |
| Kompasi | www.kompasi.org | A catalogue of support available for refugees, people seeking asylum and migrants |
| Manchester Community Central | https://manchestercommunity central.org/directoryList of free support groups |
They provide a list of different support groups available |
| Manchester Refugee Support Network | 129 Princess Road Moss side Manchester M14 4RBinfo@mrsn.org.uk +44 161 868 0777 |
Manchester Refugee Support Network (MRSN) is a grass-roots organisation directly managed by refugee communities in Manchester. For over 30 years, we have been providing practical support to those fleeing persecution, conflict, and various forms of injustice and abuse. |
| New Step for African Community (NESTAC) |
Website: https://www.nestac.org.uk/get-support Links to their emotional support line, specialist gender-based violence hub (for women over 18 years old), men’s support group, as well as their drop in service for general advice and support Email: enquiries@nestac.org.uk Phone: 01619756009 |
They support women and girls who are refugees or seeking asylum in the North West with a particular focus on those who have experienced Gender-Based Violence. They provide emotional support, specialist help, a support group for men, and a general refugee and asylum drop in service. |
| Refugee Action Greater Manchester Asylum Crisis Project |
Email: ACM@refugee-action.org.uk Phone (9:45am-1pm Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays): 07824 473 479 Website self referral form: https://www.refugee-action.org.uk/project/manchester-asylum-crisis-project/ |
They help refugees and people seeking asylum who are at risk of being homeless or require financial support |
| Refugee Council | https://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk /resource-category/guides-for-refugees/ |
This website contains information on the asylum process in multiple languages |
| Revive | Website: www.revive-uk.org /drop-in-servicesDrop in: Tuesdays 9am-4pm (last entry 2pm)St Brigid’s Parish Hall, 183 Grey Mare Lane, Beswick, Manchester M11 3DR0161223566807500662596AndWednesdays 9am-4pm (last entry 2pm)Spartan Centre, Northallerton Road, Lower Kersal, Salford M7 3TD01612235668 |
They provide social workers and immigration case workers to support refugees and people seeking asylum |