'We Belong gave me a place where I could be myself and feel accepted.'
We Belong, the only UK-wide charity set up and run by young migrants, is today 1st of November celebrating the fourth anniversary of its Manchester-based chapter.
Since 2022, its small staff team in Manchester (currently two employees) have helped young migrants living in and around the city realise their education and career ambitions, provided access to essential immigration law advice, and crucially helped foster a sense of community and optimism in the city.
As one staff member puts it in a report published to mark the fourth anniversary, the vision for We Belong's Manchester operation was clear: 'It was more than just setting up an office. It was about building a community. A place where people felt they belonged and could lead the conversation.'
Since We Belong opened its doors in Manchester:
- 393 young migrants have attended our Manchester community events and outreach sessions.
- 14 have become members of We Belong's core group, which helps shape our work and strategy, attending 42 meetings.
- 5 Manchester-based young migrants a year have graduated from our life-changing Emerging Young Leaders programme.
- 6 have joined our Policy and Parliamentary working group, which directs our campaigning and political advocacy.
As well as charting the Manchester chapter's progress, the report includes key recommendations for other youth justice charities hoping to expand services into other geographical areas.
In addition, 65 young people attended our 2024 Youth Summit held in central Manchester, along with local councillors and representatives from our multiple partner organisations. The summit reflects our commitment to empowering young migrants and raising up their voices.
One young asylum-seeker describes the range of support and services they have received from We Belong's Manchester team:
'We Belong helped me understand my rights and provided legal support. It provided me with direct wellbeing support and a community. As a vulnerable young person accessing mental health services, We Belong offered me the support I needed to check in with staff and other young people in similar situations. This created a community that promoted a sense of belonging.'
A graduate from its Emerging Young Leaders programme says:
"I love We Belong's person-centred approach. It's very friendly and supportive allowing you to explore your own direction without judgment or pressure. The EYL programme really helped me focus on myself and deal with my stress.'
A young person who was ineligible for a student loan but secured a university scholarship with We Belong's help says:
'It made a huge positive impact on my life. It allowed me to take the next step in my education and made me feel incredibly grateful.'
We Belong's staff team has forged strong relationships with universities in the area to improve support for students who face barriers due to their immigration status.
Salford University's Student Residence and Campus Life Team said:
'We Belong have delivered training to university staff which has allowed us to be as up to date and informed as possible for the benefit of our sanctuary-seeing students. They are a valuable resource that we will always signpost our sanctuary-seeking students and applicants to.'
Its staff have developed similar links with Manchester University, Manchester Met, and Bolton University. We Belong also works closely with a range of local charities and organisations providing vital support to young people, including Manchester mental health charity 42nd Street, and Become, which supports children in care and care leavers.
Marking the fourth anniversary, We Belong founder and CEO Chrisann Jarrett says:
'The work that We Belong is doing in Manchester to support young migrants and foster a sense of community and unity is needed now more than ever. When we opened our doors in the city four years ago, we could never have envisaged the current level of anti-migrant hostility and the ramping up of hostile environment policies, which threaten to damage the lives of so many young people who call the UK home. In Manchester, in London and beyond, we will continue to do everything we can to support young migrants, to ensure they can fulfil their ambitions and fully contribute to their communities and wider society.'
About We Belong
We Belong opened its London office in 2019, under the stewardship of CEO Chrisann Jarrett. Its mission was to help young migrants like her who have grown up in the UK, but continue to face barriers to education and full participation in society. The charity rapidly developed a reputation for successful campaigning and the strength of its grassroots work. In response to high demand for its services in the Manchester area, an office was opened in the city in 2022. You can download our full four-year anniversary report and a special guide for organisations looking to scale by clicking download below!
Special acknowledgments
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the National Lottery Community Fund and The Oglesby Charitable Trust for their continued support of our organisation.
How You Can Get Involved
The best way to get involved with our initiatives and programmes is by getting in touch with us! We are always looking to build relationships with organisations, allies, and members of government or civil service to aid in delivering our mission of supporting young migrants who call the UK home.
If you are interested please send us an email at info@webelong.org.uk and our team will get in touch.
