Migrants Organise

migrants and refugees acting for justice

Migrants Organise is a platform where refugees and migrants organise for power, dignity and justice. We develop leadership and open up spaces for relational, organised participation of migrants and refugees in public life.

From two decades work as the Migrant and Refugee Communities Forum, we know that migrants and refugees make a positive contribution to our country. Migration is fact of life, instead of resisting it – let’s organise it.

What We Do

We organise. We mobilise. We mentor. We train. We celebrate.

Speak Out

We speak out. We make our voices heard, and we take a stand on the issues that affect us.

Connect

We connect people. We act relationally to help people belong.

Build Common Ground

We bring diverse people together around shared issues, on a shared platform.

Grow Power

We grow power. We provide a platform for people to be powerful and develop skills, leadership, confidence and their connections.

View works

Migrants Organise Members Speak Out on Netflix

Chelsea Handler, a popular chat show host in the US, spoke with Migrants Organise members about the challenges of being a refugee in the UK.

Watch Full Episode

LONDON LEGAL WALK 2018

On May 21st, Migrants Organise staff, members and volunteers will be walking 10km to raise money for our Community Programme, which provides holistic support to particularly vulnerable migrants and refugees. We hope to raise £15,000, all of which will go directly to funding our mentoring scheme; the classes and activities that we run; and the legal, welfare, and benefits advice and casework support that we provide.

We really need your support to help us maintain our Community Programme. Please do donate generously – your contribution really does make a difference. Thank you.

DONATE HERE

Our Latest Posts

We’re Doing the London Legal Walk – And We Need Your Help to Reach Our Fundraising Target!

May 17 2018

On Monday, 21 May, Migrants Organise staff, volunteers, members and supporters will be participating in the London Legal Walk, an annual initiative organised by…

Building Power for a Better Society: Community Organising Against Hate

May 11 2018

By Sian Drinkwater. I come from a political family where there’s always been a lot of discussion about injustice and inequality in…

‘My Voice, My Vote’: Supporting Political Participation in North Kensington

May 02 2018

North Kensington, where Migrants Organise has been based for the past 25 years, is a diverse area with a strong community spirit.…

Amnesty, Not Apology: Regularisation of Immigration Status as the Answer to Hostile Environment

Apr 23 2018

Migrants Organise members at a Strangers Into Citizens march. Photo: Beth Crosland. In a free and fair society, amnesty for all migrants…

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Refugees Welcome

Refugees Welcome is a vibrant and growing movement in the UK and across Europe working towards an open and hospitable society. The movement in the UK is made up of thousands of volunteers around the country who contribute their time and energy to fundraise and campaign for the rights of refugees.The movement is made up of ordinary citizens who believe how we act towards refugees expresses our fundamental values as a society. Working to welcome refugees connects to our sense of ourselves and the society we hope to build.

Refugees Welcome - More Info

Annual Statistics

136

Community Members

250

Mentees

210

Volunteers

2000

Hours of Activities

Who we are

We are Migrants Organise.

This is our dedicated team who work day-in and day-out together to bring our organised migrant communities around our rights.

Akram Salhab

Advocacy and Campaigns Officer

Brian Dikoff

Legal Organiser

Eleanor Weber-Ballard

Communications Coordinator

Didier Ibwilakwingi-Ekom

North Kensington Community Organiser

Ffion Evans

Participation and Engagement Manager

Francesca Valerio

Mentoring and Volunteering Coordinator

Heike Langbein

Mentoring Advice Manager

Jessica Kennedy

National Organiser

Karim Karl Shuker

Development Director

Maymuna Osman

North Kensington Community Organiser and Women On the Move Awards Coordinator

Micol Carmignani

Office Manager

Paul Salgado

Migrant Organiser - London

Penny Wangari-Jones

Migrant Organiser, York and Humber

Ramona Constantin

Migrant Organiser, North West

Sian Drinkwater

Migrant Organiser - South East

Sunny Sangha

Migrant Organiser, Midlands

Zrinka Bralo

Chief Executive

How We Organise

A glimpse of how we organise with migrant communities

Organise

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<span class="home-heading-line type_primary"> Organise </span>
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<p>More than ever, this country needs an organised movement of migrants and refugees, and allies, who are powerful enough to ensure our politicians – and the public – build a welcoming society.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We know that migration is a fact of life, and we believe that instead of fearing it or resisting, we need to organise it. <strong>Will you join us?</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Join the movement and get trained by Migrants Organise –</strong> <strong><a href="http://www.migrantsorganise.org/?page_id=26019">APPLY HERE</a>.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Read more about the training on the <a href="http://www.migrantsorganise.org/?page_id=26019">Training page</a>.</strong></p>
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<h4>Why Community Organising?</h4>
<p>There is a power imbalance in the UK. Public life is dominated by a harmful attitude towards minorities and migrants, creating an increasingly hostile environment and policies that impact negatively on communities and individuals.</p>
<p>We believe migrant communities should have a stronger place at the negotiating table to create the change they want to see. We know that there are talented leaders doing incredible work in their neighbourhoods who must be recognised. We want to support communities and their leaders to become more visible and powerful.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Migrants Organise was set up by migrant leaders more than 22 years ago. Over the past two decades, we have learnt valuable lessons about building and maintaining grassroots organisations, developing leadership, and organising in migrant communities. We have travelled the world – from America to India, from Europe to South Africa – to find the best examples of migrant-led organisations making change for their communities. Now, we’d like to share some of our learnings with other organisations around the UK.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Migrants Organise runs support, mentoring and training for migrant leaders and their communities. We work with talented people with a passion for leading change and who already play an active role in their communities, and help them: </span></p>
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<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">     </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">increase their knowledge on the theory and practice of community organising</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">     </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">make use of new tools for effective leadership and organising</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">     </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">experience public action to change the issues facing communities</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">     </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">build a stronger, bigger team</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">     </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">develop a clear plan for them and their community</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">     </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">grow new strategic relationships with other migrant-led and civic organisations</span></li>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To become a member of Migrants Organise, please see <a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/296866446/Migrants-Organise-Membership-Pack">our membership pack</a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To read more about our approach to organising, please look at Zrinka Bralo’s<a href="http://www.wcmt.org.uk/sites/default/files/report-documents/Bralo%20Z%20Report%20Final%202014.pdf"> report for the Churchill Fellowship</a> which she spent <a href="http://www.wcmt.org.uk/fellows/stories/zrinka-bralos-story">studying migrant organising</a> in the United States.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To join Migrant Organise’s Community Organising programme, please contact Jessica Kennedy (jessica@migrantsorganise.org).</span></p>

Welcome

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<p>The movement of people fleeing wars and oppression has moved people across Europe too. In response to the exodus of more than a million people who arrived to Europe in 2015 #refugeeswelcome movements and actions have spread like a wildfire, and they remain strong despite the negative running commentary by the media and xenophobes. As hard as it is to witness the suffering of people and as frustrating it is that our governments are doing very little to provide safe passage for those fleeing the violence, it is equally heart-warming to see huge numbers of people taking a public stand and taking action to welcome refugees.</p>
<p>Migrants Organise is at the forefront of the effort to welcome refugees in the UK, to increase the number of people resettled by the government, and provide additional safe and legal routes for those in need of protection. It is inspiring to hear from thousands of people who make donations of clothes or give their spare room to a refugee and petition the government to do more. One amazing 11-year old donated all her birthday presents still unopened to refugee children. We are amazed by these daily acts of kindness and messages of support. Our main challenge is to explain why it takes so long for refugees to arrive in the UK and why the UK isn’t dong more, especially as we watch so many landing on Greek islands or stuck in Calais. Britain will only be taking 4,000 refugees per year, and only from refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon.  This response is inadequate in relation to the scale of the crisis. Britain, as one of the richest countries in the world, can afford to do more—especially as thousands of citizens and communities around the country are clearly and loudly saying that we are ready and willing to do more to welcome refugees.</p>
<p>Migrant Organise led the way with Citizens UK in establishing the National Refugee Welcome Board to coordinate civil society efforts around the country to harness the good will and organise strategic interventions, such as the introduction of a private sponsorship scheme for Syrian refugees. We are proud that many of our refugee and migrant leaders rose to the challenge and are leading local and regional initiatives as an important voice in shaping the national welcome movement. Together we can ensure that Britain continues its proud tradition of providing sanctuary and leads the way in treating refugees with dignity and respect.</p>
<p>If you want to join our organised refugee welcome movement please get in touch our Refugee Welcome Coordinator, Akram at: <a href="mailto:akram@migrantsorganise.org">akram@migrantsorganise.org</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.migrantsorganise.org/?page_id=26373" class="g-btn color_primary size_big"><span>Refugees Welcome - More Info</span></a>

Mobilise

Mentoring

<div class="g-cols offset_default"><div class="one-half"><img class="alignnone wp-image-1803" src="http://www.migrantsorganise.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/mentoring-300x200.jpg" alt="mentoring" width="451" height="301" srcset="https://www.migrantsorganise.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/mentoring-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.migrantsorganise.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/mentoring-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.migrantsorganise.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/mentoring.jpg 1024w, https://www.migrantsorganise.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/mentoring-600x400.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 451px) 100vw, 451px" /> </div>
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<p>The mentoring experience at Migrants Organise considers ways for mentors to play an active role welcoming and supporting migrants and refugees according to their personal needs. This can include anything from something as simple as help with filling out a form facilitating access to the various essential components of a new life in the UK to more complex needs involved with emotional support and prevention of isolation. Some of these people have lost their families, homes and livelihoods, literally the ground beneath their feet.</p>
<p>Mentoring is, at its simplest, the gift of Time; being there to support and give advice. It is sharing the wisdom derived from experience where it is needed the most. This support can take the form of assistance, advocacy, advice, guidance or even simple encouragement and motivation, given by one person to another, in order to help the latter to achieve an objective or several objectives over a period of time, consequently improving their development and personal growth. Mentors listen and share knowledge, facilitate access to resources and shed light on opportunities for their mentees.</p>
<p>The power of a one-to-one approach is that it can be a way of reaching out towards people who are often hard to engage with and help in ways that might be considered unconventional. It provides flexibility and allows mentoring to be personalised to the needs of the mentee.</p>
<p>Volunteering as a mentor is a way of “Being the change you want to see in the world”. It represents a unique opportunity to utilise spare time in a positive way. We feel there is an immense sense of achievement in helping others and that ‘the secret of living happy lives in doing things for other people’.</p>
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Membership

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Migrants Organise’s power comes from its membership: those who work with us to achieve this change – from individuals to community groups, to large institutions and organisations.</p>
<p>We work with members directly, and also connect different members so they can better achieve this change.</div>
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<p style="margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block;"><a style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Migrants Organise - Membership Pack on Scribd" href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/296866446/Migrants-Organise-Membership-Pack">Migrants Organise – Membership Pack</a></p>
<p><iframe id="doc_63094" class="scribd_iframe_embed" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/296866446/content?start_page=1&view_mode=scroll&show_recommendations=true" width="100%" height="600" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" data-auto-height="false" data-aspect-ratio="undefined"></iframe></p>

Training

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<p>Migrants Organise is passionate about developing people’s skills, confidence, experience and capacity to act. We use workshops, training sessions, action and experience to help people develop.</p>
<h3><strong>Community Leadership Academy</strong></h3>
<p>The <span class="highlight"><strong>Migrants Organise Community Leadership Academy</span></strong> is a nine month programme building power, leadership and networks across the migrant and refugee community sector. We want a sector that is able to act for justice- training and development is the first step in reaching our goal.</p>
<p><strong>Read more about the Community Leadership Academy and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.migrantsorganise.org/?page_id=26019">apply here</a>.</span></strong><br />
<strong>Deadline to apply is August 30th. The programme start date is September 8th. </strong></p>
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<h3><strong>Who do we train:</strong></h3>
<p style="text-align: left;">We train and support diverse groups of people and organisations; from members of a local Iranian Association, Somali community groups to individuals creating projects supporting Syrian refugees, the needs are diverse. However, all our participants share a common passion to build power, networks and leadership amongst migrant and refugee communities.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">We also organise one-off training events, reaching out to the wider community. In schools and colleges we’ve been able to improve students understanding of migration. We’ve also led training for local authority staff to help them support their communities.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">If you’re an organisation or a pro-active individual interested in knowing more about our training packages please contact <a href="mailto:Ffion@mrcf.org.uk">Ffion@mrcf.org.uk</a> or call <span style="font-weight: 400;">07963 438 073.</span><br />
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Activities

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<p>We offer a number of weekly educational, social and cultural activities to welcome and support migrants and refugees in a safe environment.</p>
<p>At the moment we run English classes every Wednesday, Sewing classes on Friday and Creative poetry, music and dance workshops on Monday.</p>
<p>If you would like to find out more about the workshops and the activities we run, please contact: <a href="mailto:info@migrantsorganise.org">info@migrantsorganise.org</a> or phone us: 020 8964 4815. </div></div>

Voter Registration

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<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;">Voter Registration</span></h3>
<p>Over the past couple of years Migrants Organise has trained and supported migrants and refugee community organisations to register over 5000 of their members to vote.</p>
<p>Ahead of the 2015 General Elections we also supported organisations across London, from Harlesdon to Hounslow, to host political hustings attended by hundreds of people.</p>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL69P1TxW54G9EKFPh4McojcBRdqU_y_sI" class="g-btn color_primary"><i class="fa fa-arrow-right"></i><span>Voter Registration</span></a>
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<h3>Why?</h3>
<p>Voting is so much more than a cross on a piece of paper. It’s about voice, representation and participation.</p>
<p>Migrants Organise is a platform where refugees and migrants organise for power, dignity and justice. Voter registration allows us to open dialogue, debate and engage with democratic structures as well as understand issues affecting us.</p>
<p>The General Election of 2015 may be over, but this year offers new opportunities. Towns and communities across the country will be getting ready to elect local Mayors, councillors, police and crime commissioners whilst Wales and Scotland get ready to vote around their Assembelies and Parliaments.</p>
<p>If you’re a migrant and refugee community organisation or an individual wanting to learn more please conatct ffion@mrcf.org.uk or call 0 208 964 4815 to see how we can support you.<br />
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<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL69P1TxW54G9EKFPh4McojcBRdqU_y_sI" target="_blank" class="g-btn color_default size_big"><i class="fa fa-fa-youtube"></i><span>More Videos</span></a>
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Awards

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<p>The Women on the Move Awards celebrate inspirational leadership from migrant and refugee women who help others integrate into and contribute to UK society. The awards are both a way to support the women who do this important work, and also a vehicle for the partnership of organisations who deliver them to change the public narrative about what migrants and refugees bring to the UK.</p>
<a href="http://womenonthemoveawards.org.uk/" target="_blank" class="g-btn color_default size_normal"><span>Women on the Move Awards</span></a></div>
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Volunteers

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<p>If you have a special skill (like business strategy, research, musician, photographer, etc), we can use your help.</p>
<p>Please contact us at <a href="mailto:info@migrantsorganise.org">info@migrantsorganise.org</a> to tell us about your time and skills. We’ll get in touch as soon as possible to see how you can volunteer at The Forum.</div></div>

Fundraise

Our History

<h1 class="home-heading"><span class="home-heading-line type_primary">Our History </span></h1>
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<p>The Migrant and Refugee Communities Forum was established in 1993 in response to the needs of migrant and refugee communities in north west London. Settled economic migrants as well as newly arrived refugees struggled in their attempts to access health and welfare services, employment and education, legal advice, and housing. They formed community organisations to share their knowledge and skills and to support each other, but this presented them with the additional challenges of meeting the requirements of charitable law and working within a competitive voluntary sector. In the spirit of partnership and self-help, diverse communities overcame their differences and joined forces in order to empower themselves.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">As a result, community leaders established the Migrant and Refugee Communities Forum (or The Forum for short) as a trusted intermediary for shared infrastructure support that would sustain their on-the-ground work with specific communities. It was conceived and is still governed by representatives of migrant and refugee communities. It continues to proudly serve and advocate for the issues they face with users involved in planning, lobbying, policy work and the delivery of support to migrants and refugees in London.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In 1998, the Migrant and Refugee Communities Forum moved into our current building and opened the Community Hub in north Kensington with shared meeting rooms and office space for members to work and support each other.</p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;"><img class="alignleft wp-image-21962" title="Orginal Logo" src="http://migrantsorganise.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/MRCF-logo-scan-300x181.jpg" alt="" width="132" height="80" /> <img class="alignleft wp-image-21963" title="MRCF 2010" src="http://migrantsorganise.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/mrcf-new-Logo-crop.jpg" alt="" width="203" height="59" />  <img class="alignleft wp-image-22229" title="The Forum 2012" src="http://migrantsorganise.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/The-forum-logo-final-high-res-300x74.jpg" alt="" width="210" height="52" /><img class="alignleft wp-image-22229" title="The Forum 2012" src="http://migrantsorganise.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Migrants-Organise_small_w_strap_crop.jpg" alt="" width="142" height="79" /></p>

Migration is part of life

Instead of fearing it – let’s organise it.

Zrinka Bralo, Chief Executive of Migrants Organise, delivered a TED talk on the impact of the media and fear on migration at TEDxThessaloniki.

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We have worked with migrant and refugee communities in the United Kingdom for more than 20 years.

Your support well help us continue to welcome, support, and organise.

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Milestones

1993

birth

Refugee and migrant leaders from 14 immigrant communities in north-west London came together and with support from local public and voluntary sector they set up shared resources to support integration of newly arrived communities.

1998

the center

Migrant and Refugee Communities Forum moves into the purpose built community resource center that provided a base for more than 50 local community groups and training for tens of thousands migrants and refugees.

2001

doctors / dentists

Overseas Health Care Professionals Programme was launched to help refugee and migrant doctors and dentists pass their verification exams to enable them to work in the UK. 3,500 doctors and dentists were supported over the seven years.

2006

Independent Asylum Commission

The Forum joins The Independent Asylum Commission, the most comprehensive review of the UK asylum system. We joined Citizens UK and we started our journey as organised people for common good.

2007

mentoring

We developed the first mentoring scheme for people who do not speak English and have mental health issues. More than 1,000 people benefited from this unique support.

2008

morocan memories

Moroccan Memories project was launched to record 120 personal journeys of Moroccans in the UK. These testimonies are now part of the British Library Oral History Collection.

2009

digital activism

We develop the first Digital Activism training for community leaders to ensure they can take advantage of emerging social media in having their voices heard.

2010

immigration detention reform

Working with Citizens UK members in an organised way we helped end immigration detention of children.

2012

Women on the Move Awards

Women on the Move Awards was launched to celebrate exceptional migrant and refugee women who make a difference in their communities.

2013

voter registration

The Forum launches the UK’s first refugee and migrant voter registration drive which included community organising training and the launch of Leadership Academy.

2015

refugees welcome

We are at the forefront of a national refugee welcome movement which successfully campaigned to welcome more Syrian refugees and is transforming the way refugees are received in communities across the UK.