Community Programme
Like campaigning and organising, direct support is a source of power for migrants and refugees
While we organise to change unjust systems, we need to be there for people currently subjected to the Hostile Environment. In addition to the maze of complex immigration rules, immigration enforcement has spread into everyday experiences. Basic tasks like opening a bank account or renting a place to live have become impossible for many migrants.
People fleeing from war and displacement face further insecurity and trauma in the UK. Cuts to legal aid, lack of effective representation, indefinite detention, unjust welfare systems and expansion of the immigration controls into public services including the NHS contribute to growing destitution, poor mental health and isolation.
That is why we have developed a Community Programme – a combination of advice, advocacy, training, mentoring and group activities that create a safe and welcoming environment for our community members. Our members constantly shape our work and become volunteers, coordinate group activities, organise, speak out, and campaign. Our team works with more than 500 people in London every year. You can read more about what we do here.
How to Get Support
We provide advice on immigration, asylum support, welfare benefits, housing and community care. If you need support or would like to refer someone to the Community Programme please see our guidelines for referrers. After consulting these guidelines, please email a completed referral form to referrals@migrantsorganise.org.
We are open to new referrals, only for people living/with a local connection in the borough of Kensington & Chelsea, for the 1st-7th of each month.
If you wish to refer someone from the borough of Kensington & Chelsea, please note that Migrants Organise is open to referrals for the 1st-7th of each month and does not keep a referrals waiting list; if we cannot accept your referral, you will need to refer again in future months.
Migrants Organise is regulated by the OISC. Ref No. N202000128.
Member experiences
Adilia, one of our members, shares her experience of life in lockdown and how our Community Programme activities are helping her stay busy.
Moromoke first joined Migrants Organise in 2016. After years trapped in a cruel immigration system, she was struggling to feed her family after the death of her husband. This is what she has to say about the Community Programme.
For further information about our Community Programme activities and how it links up with our organising and campaigning, please check out the following links:
Activities
We currently run a number of online activities to keep in touch with our members and provide opportunities to learn and be together. Find out more in our impact report.
Strategic Litigation & Research
Migrants Organise brought a legal challenge against the Home Office, to ensure that the rights and dignity of vulnerable EEA citizens who are living with mental health issues are protected after Brexit. Read more here.
You can also read our report on the immigration bail regime and how reporting conditions affect the lives of migrants subjected to it.
Volunteering
The work of the Community Programme is supported by more than 100 volunteers every year. You can learn more and see current volunteering opportunities on our website here.
On our blog, Migrants Organise volunteer Abigail Lampkin reflects on a tough year and how as a volunteer she accessed laptops and digital support for many families.
Learn more about our work
You can learn more about the Community Programme’s work by reading our team impact report:
