Our Welcome Centre is at the beating heart of BHN - a welcoming, intercultural space, where those with insecure immigration status and lived experience of being a refugee and/or asylum seeker can come and be part of a supportive, safe and cohesive community. The Welcome Centre is built around a delicious hot lunch, but also offers breakfast, teas and coffees, creative activities (games, art, music, sewing), English classes and even a barbershop! We deliver additional services in partnership with Herbalists without Borders, Ashley Community Housing, SARI and the mental health charity MIND. Our Advice Team (which offers case support work and advocacy) also meets with accommodated members at the Welcome Centre.

Weekly drop-in services:

MONDAY:

English Classes
Beginners 10:30-12:30
Intermediate 10:30-11:30 / 11:30-12:30 / 13:00-14:00 / 14:00-15:00
Advanced 14:00-15:00


WEDNESDAY:

English Classes
Beginners 10:30-11:30
Intermediate 10:30-11:30 / 11:30-13:30


THURSDAY:
(WOMEN ONLY)

English Classes
Beginners 10:30-12:30
Intermediate 10:30-12:30
Entry 2 (WEA) 10:00-12:00


FRIDAY:

English Classes
Beginners 10:30-11:30
Intermediate 10:30-11:30

West African Development (WAD) provides Pre-Entry ESOL classes, introducing basic entry level to learning English, building confidence skills and developing understanding in reading, writing and speaking needed for life in the UK.

They also offer budgeting and Life in the UK courses. In addition, WAD also provides volunteering opportunities, housing support, help with form filling, referrals to further advice and guidance, digital skills support, and opportunities to take part in their African heritage workshops and programmes.

From the requests from our community member to be involve in other activities and the positive idea of some members who experienced stress and finding difficulties leaving kids and young people with no activities during a school holiday. The majority of our community memberships are facing the same problem due to financial hardship parent cannot afford taking children away during the holiday time and also working parent during the school holiday find it difficult to leave children alone with no activities.

West African Development (WAD) organize a special holiday activities program and provide children and youth with activities like: Arts and Craft, Hair weaving, Drumming and Dancing, Sport and Football and Trips.

West African Development (WAD) together with the Worker’s Education Association offers an accredited Community Interpreter’s course which recognize and accredit bi-lingual skills, increasing basic skill levels in the Community and giving people confidence to progress to further study and employment.

WAD also providing a translation service to support people who have English as a second language.

This service will enable more people to successfully complete training courses and increasing their chances in life.

Wirral Change works with various groups, including refugees, immigrants, and vulnerable individuals.

We offer information, advice and guidance on matters such as:

• Debt/ Housing/ Welfare/ Benefits/ Safeguarding Matters

• Legal Advice & Guidance

• IAA (formerly OISC) Level 1 Immigration Support: BRP & IRL Replacement, Passport Support, Citizenship Support, Family Route/ Spouse Visa Extension/ Travel Document support

• Also provide support with interpreting, well-being and employment.

• We provide weekly English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) sessions to address language barriers faced by many people.

How to access:

Interpreter Request Form: https://wirralchange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Interpreter-request-form-26.07.23.docx

English classes: If you would like to attend ESOL classes, please contact our team on 0151 649 8177

MAES has classes from Pre-entry to Level 1 in various locations across the city. The adult learning centres with ESOL courses include Withington Adult Learning Centre.

There is an opportunity to get qualifications on some courses. Courses are either two or three sessions per week

How to access:

There are lots of different ESOL courses in Manchester. To join any of them you need to do an assessment with the Manchester ESOL Advice Service.

To apply for an ESOL course, please complete this form: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Apply_for_ESOL_Manchester_24_25/

We will use the details you've provided to contact you about an assessment for an ESOL course in Manchester

A beginner Conversation Club which will help you to speak English, meet new people and get to know Manchester.

How to access

To join an Talk English course, complete an assessment on gmesol.org or e-mail communitylearning@manchester.gov.uk

We offer free courses for refugees and displaced people, both online and in the classroom.

From offering ESOL courses for refugees to family learning that improves well-being. Talk to us about what classes we can offer to meet the needs of the people you are supporting.    

Some of the courses that we’ve delivered for refugee organisations include:   

•ESOL courses to build language skills   

• Life in the UK   

• Arts, craft and music classes for wellbeing   

• Family fitness and cookery classes   

• Supporting children’s education in the UK   

• Mental health and stress awareness   

• Working in the UK and employability courses   

• Level 1 Award in Workers' Rights and Labour Exploitation  

We deliver friendly, accessible and enjoyable courses for adults from all walks of life. You can access our courses online or in your local hub. Our provision spans the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester taking place in 91 community centres and spaces.

To access:

Contact us on our helpline, or take a look at our website to fill in your booking form and find providers in your area.

We work closely with voluntary and community organisations that help refugees to give people the best start in this country.

We offer free courses for refugees and displaced people, both online and in the classroom.   

From offering ESOL courses for refugees to family learning that improves well-being. Talk to us about what classes we can offer to meet the needs of the people you are supporting.    

We offer courses to help people develop the language skills and qualifications to work in the UK.

Some of the courses that we’ve delivered for refugee organisations include:   

• ESOL courses to build language skills   

• Life in the UK   

• Arts, craft and music classes for wellbeing   

• Family fitness and cookery classes   

• Supporting children’s education in the UK   

• Mental health and stress awareness   

• Working in the UK and employability courses   

• Level 1 Award in Workers' Rights and Labour Exploitation  

How to access:

You can access our courses online or in your local hub.

Our provision spans the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester taking place in 91 community centres and spaces.

Courses range from Pre-entry to Level 2, where learners can achieve City and Guilds qualifications in ESOL, maths and English.

Their information, advice and guidance service is an important part of all courses to help students find further learning and progression opportunities. The majority of classes are delivered online via Zoom, but some are held in person.

ESOL classes are free for those who claim income related benefits or for those who have low wages.

How to access:

To find a course and sign up, please use this search tool on their website: https://www.wea.org.uk/courses/esol

Yaran Northwest supports members of the Middle Eastern and, in particular, the Iranian community in Manchester with a wide range of psychological needs and social disadvantage who wish to integrate and strengthen their confidence and self esteem.

Services include:

• Psychological service: One-to-one and group counselling/psychotherapy for middle eastern, in particular Farsi speaking residents, across Greater Manchester including new immigrants, families and couples who need urgent help and support in health and well-being

• Advocacy service: Assists people from Middle Eastern background and covers improving their confidence, developing their basic skills in learning English, understanding the world of work, and guidance in seeking jobs and self employment.

• Peer support Groups, workshops, community based programmes and professionally led self-help groups for those in the community experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues alongside a spectrum of life issues too.

• Rolling programme of classes and activities including Life in the UK and ESOL.

How to access:

To make a referral please complete the referral form at the bottom of this page: https://www.yarannorthwest.com/?page_id=895

Please check our website, or call or email us for more information