What is the charity’s aim?
The Refugee and Migrant Centre (RMC)’s mission is to assist refugees and migrants through crisis and disadvantage, by removing barriers to their integration and enabling them to become equal citizens
What does it do?
RMC operates a free, drop-in, face to face service, four days a week at three offices, supporting clients from across the West Midlands. The charity also provides wrap-around information, advice and guidance on destitution, accommodation, health and wellbeing, education, training and employment, financial independence and citizenship.
It delivers 25 weekly English language classes, sessions to enhance employability, mental health support, awareness raising around Violence Against Women and Girls, and orientation sessions.
Other work includes training new arrivals in appropriate use of the NHS, facilitating latent TB screening clinics and outreach to rough sleepers. Most staff and volunteers come from a migrant background, some having direct experience of the asylum service, and services are delivered in 40 client languages.
What has it achieved in the last year?
In the last year the RMC supported 13,395 clients with 62,932 enquiries. Over and above direct work with clients, the RMC's achievements include working with partners to disseminate Covid-19 messaging in multiple languages, setting up referral pathways with West Midlands police for the quick processing of women complaining of violence against them, and training around 200 health professionals.
What did the judges say?
“This is an impressive and much needed service which clearly expands and flexes with the changing requirements of clients. Dedication and hard graft shine through.”
Highly commended
The Bread and Butter Thing
Refugee Action
Finalists
Asthma UK & British Lung Foundation
SJOG
British Red Cross
North East Solidarity and Teaching (N.E.S.T)
ABTA LifeLine
