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The Refugee Welcome Programme - Work and Skills


The Refugee Welcome Programme - Work and Skills

The Refugee Welcome Programme – Work and Skills (RWP) is Greater Manchester’s partnership approach to supporting people seeking asylum and refugees to learn, settle and live well in our communities.

Launched by GMCA in 2025, RWP brings together local authorities in partnership with over 40 voluntary and community sector organisations to deliver skills and employment support that is tailored to the specific needs of refugees and people seeking asylum. In doing this, the Programme also aims to address known gaps in support for these residents, test community-based approaches and produce learning on what works.

The Programme is embedded in Live Well - Greater Manchester’s shared commitment to everyday support in every neighbourhood for everyone.

Each locality has devised a unique model based on the needs and partners in their area, with the common aims of improving, for people aged 16+ seeking asylum or granted international protection:

  • Access and attendance to English language education.
  • Confidence, community connection and wellbeing as a route to employability.
  • Digital literacy and inclusion.
  • Access to appropriate literacy, numeracy and vocational training.
  • Access to suitable and sustainable employment.

Can I take part in this programme?

The programme is open to people seeking asylum and refugees who received their status following an asylum claim, or through family reunion. This includes people who received Humanitarian Protection, or people with pending appeals.

You must also be 16 years or older and a resident in Greater Manchester.

Find out more about the Refugee Welcome Programme offer in each locality

The Refugee Welcome Programme in Bolton is a partnership between Bolton Council, Believe Achieve CIC, Befriending Refugees and Asylum Seekers (BRASS), Bolton Solidarity Community Association (BSCA) and Bolton Wanderers in the Community. Working with refugees and people seeking asylum, they will offer a holistic approach to tackle barriers to integration, stable housing, employment and good wellbeing.

The partnership will deliver structured and unstructured ESOL, employment support, a programme of wellbeing activities, one to one holistic support and opportunities to participate in Bolton’s cultural offer.

To make a referral, please email rwp@bolton.gov.uk

To find out more about the programme, please visit the Bolton Refugee Welcome Programme Webpage (external website).

The Refugee Welcome Programme in Bury is a partnership between Bury Council, Bury VCFA, Fair Futures, ADAB and New Life Church, which is providing tailored access to English language education, digital inclusion support, and skills development opportunities. Through a combination of one-to-one guidance, group sessions, and community-based activities, the service helps individuals build confidence, improve wellbeing, and strengthen their connection to local communities.

To make a referral, please fill in the form on the Bury Refugee Welcome Programme webpage (external website).

Alternatively, you can download the Bury RWP referral form (external website) here and email it to O.Price@bury.gov.uk

The Refugee Welcome Programme in Manchester is a partnership between Manchester City Council, Mustard Tree, Breaking Barriers, Manchester Refugee Support Network (MRSN), Impact for All and Rainbow Haven, that will work with refugees and people seeking asylum to build ESOL, Employability and Integration skills.

The programme will offer a mixture of group and 1:1 sessions at accessible locations across the city, alongside tailored support from a RWP Support Worker who will facilitate access to the relevant services that participants may need. The programme will be holistic and person-centred in its approach, as well as being culturally appropriate and trauma-informed in its practice.

Mustard Tree creates opportunities to help improve economic wellbeing and find settled homes. They do this through Community Shops, training placements, support services, gifting schemes, vocational training and creative classes – offering a consistent, warm welcome to all.

To make a referral into the RWP at Mustard Tree, visit the Mustard Tree website (external website) or email referrals@mustardtree.org.uk

Breaking Barriers is a charity established in 2015 to support refugees and people seeking asylum (with the right to work) into meaningful employment, education and training. They help people overcome complex and overlapping barriers from gaps in work experience and limited English, to non-recognition of qualifications, and a lack of professional networks.

They work closely with local community organisations, employers and education providers to deliver practical, end-to-end support that empowers refugees to build independent new lives and contribute their talents to their communities.

By combining targeted advice and guidance with English language support, employability workshops, mentoring and pathways into jobs, they help individuals move towards inclusion and opportunity.

To make a referral into the RWP at Breaking Barriers, visit the Breaking Barriers website (external website).

The Refugee Welcome Programme in Oldham is a partnership between Oldham Council, Get Oldham Work and Action Together which aims to improve the support offer for asylum seekers and refugees living in Oldham. The programme will strengthen the capacity of VCFSE groups to deliver community-led, holistic and trauma-informed support with the aim of fostering inclusive, sustainable pathways to independence, and meaningful participation in community for sanctuary seekers.

Information on how to make a referral will be updated shortly.

The Refugee Welcome Programme in Rochdale is a partnership between Rochdale Council, Action Together and a network of VCSE partners who are established across the locality. 

  • AFC Community Trust
  • Andalucia Learning Centre
  • Army of Kindness
  • Aspire in Inspire
  • Caring & Sharing
  • Kashmir Youth Project
  • Maverick Lab
  • Spotland Community Centre
  • Steered to Serve
  • Women’s Welfare Association

The Programme is here to help people who have come to the borough of Rochdale to find safety and start a new life, and offer support with:

  • Making friends and joining the community
  • Finding jobs and learning new skills
  • Feeling good and staying active
  • Learning English and going to school

To make a referral, please email RRWP@rochdale.gov.uk

To find out more information, visit the Rochdale Refugee Welcome Programme webpage (external website).

The Salford Refugee Welcome Programme is a partnership between Salford City Council, Salford Loaves and fishes and and a network of new and emerging migrant led third sector partners across the locality.

The Programme seeks to offer refugees and people seeking asylum a range of support through a more extensive and targeted learning café offer. Learning Cafes are a well-established programme of informal learning opportunities in Salford  aimed at providing a safe space for residents to practice their English, learn something new and meet people from outside their immediate household or community.

The main aim of the programme will be to achieve better skills and work outcomes for refugee and asylum seekers living in Salford through targeted interventions to improve English language, wellbeing and employability. By offering a wraparound support offer through a programme of enrichment activities designed to boost confidence, provide work and volunteering experiences delivered in an environment that feels safe and supported, they also hope to improve the outcomes for these communities, reduce the risk of homelessness and aid better integration with the wider communities.

In addition, by working with small and emerging migrant led third sector organisations they hope to be able to develop their knowledge and experience of Salford’s skills and work system, offer training and support to staff and maximise their ability to support the communities they represent

To make a referral, please visit Salford RWP webpage (external website).

Alternatively, you can contact the Skills and Work team directly by emailing SAWhelpline@salford.gov.uk.

The Stockport Refugee Welcome Programme is a partnership between Stockport Council, Sector 3, and a range of other VCSE organisations across the locality. The Programme is expanding the formal and informal ESOL provision that already exists across the borough, as well as providing an expanded wellbeing and community inclusion offer that targets the specific needs of refugees and people seeking asylum.

To make a referral, please email workandskills@stockport.gov.uk.

The Tameside Refugee Welcome Programme is a partnership between Tameside Council, Action Together, and a range of other VCSE organisations across the locality. The Programme will strengthen and increase existing community led provision to meet local demand and need, specifically around ESOL, basic skills and employment support. 

Information on how to make a referral will be updated shortly.

The Wigan Refugee Welcome Programme is a partnership between Wigan Borough Council, Rebuild with Hope, and a network of other VCSE organisations across the locality.

  • Fitya
  • EPiC Hope
  • Ekhaya
  • SWAP
  • Rotary Club - Astley
  • Rotary Club - Wigan
  • Wigan Mosque
  • Radio M29
  • Friends First
  • Astley Cycle Club
  • All Ears
  • Sudanese Community

All partners will deliver a mix of provision, targeted at English language classes, employability sessions, digital skills sessions, wellbeing and recreational activities, parenting sessions, peer-support, volunteering and much more.

To make a referral, please complete this online Wigan RWP referral form (external website)