Voluntary and community sector and VCS referral form
We have partnered with a range of charitable enterprises to deliver a range of services that are available for anyone, regardless of their immigration status or access to public funds.
HOPEC
House of Polish and European Community, is an organisation that provides basic guidance around immigration, visa applications and BRP. HOPEC can also provide access to social services aimed at fostering a sense of inclusion and community.
Efforts in this realm have included establishing regular coffee mornings, allowing others from a similar cultural background to come and share their experiences of their life in the UK.
Rainham Foodbank
Rainham Foodbank offers a limited range of certified English Language Lessons (ESOL) allowing newly settled individuals to boost their English proficiency, improve social and communication skills, and foster a greater quality of life for new residents.
Additionally, RFB provides a setting for guests to come together and practice their conversational English, share stories, laugh and bring homemade food in a casual and welcoming environment.
Rainham foodbank also offers counselling for those who require access to support administered on a 1-1 basis.
Mind
While also an established national organisation, the local branch of Mind have partnered with Havering in order to specifically support newly settled individuals.
Mind have created a new digital platform for newly settled residents who require support with mental health.
From dealing with bereavement to witnessing violence, this website gives information on how to approach this trauma in a safe and healthy way.
Information here is available in a range of languages.
Mind also offers counselling split into affected groups to allow for specialist support to be provided with face to face support available for newly settled residents that are ready to access help and guidance independently.
Havering Changing
Havering Changing operate a community café which is open two times a week (Tuesday and Thursday from 9.30am to 2.30pm).
The café is a place for newly settled individuals to come together to take part in a raft of social activities design to foster long term community bonds.
The café is staffed by newly settled residents, offering a chance to get practical work experience within the local community.
Along with this the café has reasonable priced food, fresh food that is made in the mornings and a wide range of fun activities.
Working Glass
The Glass Stories project is focused on gathering and expressing the stories of refugees, migrants and asylum seekers in Havering, through creating a piece of glass.
The process of making glass will enable them to express themselves and their journey, origins and aspirations, their hopes, fears and dreams.
The process of making these pieces will create an opportunity to form a social network and understanding amongst the participants, as well as the development of craft skills, language skills in real-life contexts and an opportunity for reflection and mindfulness.
Ukrainian Children’s Choir - St Edward’s Church, Romford
A partnership with St Edward’s Church Choir for singing in both Ukrainian and English.
The intention is for the Choral Director to engage with the wider Ukrainian Community to build a large Children’s Choir and generate a musical programme based on key dates in the Ukrainian Calendar.
This is aimed at appealing to the wider Ukrainian Community and offering our existing Ukrainian children a more structured musical education which will develop a wider range of musical skills and awards.
Paint Wellbeing
The Paint Wellbeing is an organisation who have a background in counselling and art design, merging those disciplines together to become a positive resource for residents.
Each week they have organised an area for Havering residents to be able to participate in these events.
Paint Wellbeing aims to talk, laugh and develop a bond between each person who is attending.
Enjoying the therapeutic act of painting Paint Wellbeing aim to leave residents feeling happy, motivated and having learned a new skill.
The Habbit Factory
The Habbit Factory is an arts organisation situated in Havering established in 2004 with a mission to promote change to model inclusivity.
Their philosophy is centred on the belief that everyone, irrespective of their abilities or background, is welcomed.
The Habbit Factory collaborate with children and young adults to create performances that entertain and challenge stigma amongst the audience.
Operating under the motto "where everyone can have their moment in the spotlight" this aligns with their vision of an inclusive world where the arts is accessible to all.
The Habbit Factory offer a wide range of volunteer opportunities, from workshop volunteers who assist with the delivery of inclusive performing arts workshops to fundraising volunteers who help us raise the necessary funds to sustain our work.
Our volunteers also have the opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience in event planning, marketing and communication.
Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) referral
The Havering Resettlement Support team are pleased to offer VCS organisations an opportunity to refer Havering residents who need support and have been granted their leave to remain in the UK within the last 6 months.
The areas of support include the following.
- Benefits advice and support (UC/child benefits/housing costs/PIP)
- School support (admissions, free school meals, uniforms)
- Employability pathways (jobs fairs, CV workshops, volunteering)
- English language assessment referrals (adult)
- GP registrations
- Emergency support assistance (finance, food referrals and clothing)
- Social connections and community inclusion
- How to rent in the private rented sector
- Provisional housing affordability assessments
Referal form
Please complete the form and the team will be in touch shortly.
Contact homesforukraine@havering.gov.uk with any questions.