The Belonging Matters: Community directory was developed as a practical “what works” resource following the Catalyst Connects: Belonging Matters project. As a government-funded initiative, this directory is free for all to use. It builds on the lived experiences and insights of international new arrival families, highlighting key services that can support their settlement and sense of belonging in Greater Manchester.
This directory offers accessible, up-to-date information on services that support families from arrival through to long-term integration and covers four key categories:
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Everyday Essentials: This section includes services that help families meet their basic needs, such as housing, food banks, clothing, transport, and financial support as ensuring access to these essentials is the first step toward stability.
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Education and Learning: This includes information on enrolling children in school, accessing English language support (ESOL), adult education, and homework help as for new arrival families, education is a key pathway to integration and opportunity.
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Health and Mental Health: This section covers how to register with a GP, access emergency care, mental health services, and specialist support for trauma or displacement recognising the unique health challenges that international new arrivals may face, including navigating unfamiliar healthcare systems.
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Lifestyle and Leisure: This includes community centers, libraries, sports clubs, arts and cultural activities, and volunteering opportunities to help families build social connections, reduce isolation, and foster a sense of belonging in their new communities.
The directory includes links to local and national services and summaries of the support offered. It is designed to support schools to empower parents and caregivers with the knowledge they need to support their families confidently and independently.
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the services listed, it is important that families and professionals conduct their own research before engaging with any service. This includes checking for up-to-date information, safeguarding policies, and safety procedures.
| Organisation | Services | Website | Local Authority |
| Manchester Refugee Support Network (MRSN) | Offers immigration advice, housing support, and referrals to other services. | https://mrsn.org.uk/ | Manchester |
| Boaz Trust | Provides accommodation and holistic support for destitute asylum seekers and refugees. They also offer food parcels, clothing, and emotional support | https://www.boaztrust.org.uk/ | Manchester |
| Revive UK | Offers practical support including food, clothing, and household essentials. They also provide casework, advocacy, and community integration activities. | https://www.revive-uk.org/ | Manchester, Salford |
| Refugee Action | Provides advice and support to refugees and asylum seekers in the UK and campaigns for a fairer asylum system | https://www.refugee-action.org.uk/ | National |
| Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit | Provides free legal immigration advice, representation and support to asylum seekers, refugees, children and vulnerable adults. | https://gmiau.org/ | Manchester |
| Rainbow Haven | Provides free legal immigration advice, representation and support to asylum seekers, refugees, children and vulnerable adults. | https://www.rainbowhaven.org.uk/ | Manchester |
| The Oasis Centre | Offers advice, support, activities and everyday essentials. | https://oasisgorton.org/ | Manchester |
| Booth Centre | Day centre offering food, activities, and support for people experiencing homelessness. | https://www.boothcentre.org.uk/ | Manchester |
| Mustard Tree | Provides food, clothing, furniture, and training for people in poverty or at risk of homelessness. | https://mustardtree.org.uk/ | Manchester |
| Cheetham Hill Advice Centre | Offers help with housing, benefits, and immigration issues. | https://cheethamadvice.org.uk/ | Manchester |
| Afrocats | Offers creative and educational workshops, language support, and integration activities for refugees and asylum seekers. | https://www.afrocats.org.uk/ | Manchester |
| The Children’s Society – HOPE Project | Supports young refugees and asylum seekers with education, life skills, and mental health support. | https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/ | Manchester |
| Aspire Education – Caritas Salford | Offers English classes (ESOL) from Pre-Entry to Level 2 IELTS preparation One-to-one guidance for university, college, and career access mentoring and wellbeing support activities like gardening, cooking clubs, and outings | https://www.caritassalford.org.uk/service/aspire-education/ | Manchester/Salford |
| READ Foundation | Offers education-focused charity with programs supporting access to learning, community resilience and empowerment through education. | https://readfoundation.org.uk/ | Manchester |
| Wood Street Mission | Helps children and families living in poverty, including refugees, with school uniforms, books, and educational resources. | https://www.woodstreetmission.org.uk/ | Manchester |
| Manchester Mind | Offers talking therapies, wellbeing sessions, and mental health support tailored to diverse communities. | https://www.manchestermind.org/ | Manchester |
| Yaran Northwest | Yaran Northwest aim to provide excellent quality service to support people with a wide range of psychological needs, many of these people also experience social vulnerabilities and disadvantage who wish to integrate and strengthen their confidence and self-esteem. | https://www.yarannorthwest.com/ | Manchester |
| City of Sanctuary Manchester | Hosts community events, workshops, and campaigns for inclusion. | https://manchester.cityofsanctuary.org/ | Manchester |
| Greater Together Manchester | Connects people to local projects offering food, leisure, and social support. | https://www.greatertogethermanchester.org/ | Manchester |
| Community Arts North West (CAN) | Creative projects for refugees and migrants to express themselves and connect. | https://comartsnw.org.uk/ | Manchester |
| ACIS (Achievement, Cohesion & Integration Service) | Supports families who are new to the UK and to the area to settle into the local community and access relevant services and facilitates understanding and integration within the different communities of Bolton | https://www.bolton.gov.uk/youth-support/support-families-new-uk | Bolton |
| Bolton Lads and Girls Club | This service aims to improve the lives of children and young people across Bolton. Their aim is to enable children and young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to live happier, healthier and positive lives by providing somewhere to go that’s safe and modern, something to do that’s inspiring and engaging, and someone to talk to when they need it the most. | https://www.blgc.co.uk/ | Bolton |
| Bolton At Home | Provides safe and secure homes and opportunities to support people to build a better life. Also provides food and clothing initiatives and help people keep warm for less and supports tenants and residents into training and employment. | https://www.boltonathome.org.uk/ | Bolton |
| Bolton Wanderers in the Community | Addresses the inequalities across Bolton using the power of Bolton Wanderers Football Club to inspire, support and deliver positive change through intervention, prevention and targeted engagement to connect people, enabling diverse communities to understand, thrive and succeed together. | https://www.bwitc.org.uk/ | Bolton |
| Family Hubs | Bolton Family Hubs and Start Well Centres are places where families with children under the age of five years and beyond can meet to discuss all sorts of things about parenthood. They offer a range of activities and integrated support services to help with every aspect of parenting, so your child gets the best possible start in life. | bolton.gov.uk/bolton-start-well-family-hubs | Bolton |
| HAF (Holiday Activities & Food) Funding Support | This is a free Bolton Council offer (open to all young people) available all year including afterschool clubs, evening youth clubs and holiday clubs (every holiday), with free food at all sessions. | Holiday activities and food – Bolton Council | Bolton |
| Bolton Money Skills |
Promotes financial awareness to the residents of Bolton. They help local people take control of their finances and manage their money. |
Home – Bolton's Money Skills | Bolton |
| Bolton MHST (Mental Health Support Team) | Works alongside selected schools and Colleges in Bolton to support the mental health of children and young people. | Bolton Mental Health Support Team (MHST) | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT | Bolton |
Webpage created by Samantha Williams and Rogelio Amaral (last updated on 07/08/2025)
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