Aims/priorities:
All new refugees and people seeking asylum who are resident in GM are able to access English language education, employability and employment support that is culturally- and trauma-informed and suitable to their skills and needs. This provision should be targeted to their needs in terms of accessibility and overall design – taking into account cultural diversity, experiences in the asylum system and integration needs – and maximise their opportunities to enter meaningful employment, settle and thrive in GM. (Please see grant guidance for more information)
Your project must fall within one or more of the following priorities:
1. Positive Change & Community Integration:
- Events supporting cross cultural integration and celebration
- Capture, collect and share positive stories of migration
- Holistic support including enhanced signposting to other services
- 1:1 welcome to the borough support
2. Employment and Training Pathways
- Creating supportive pathways into volunteering and/or employment
- Access to free training and upskilling opportunities
3. Personal wellbeing and Moving More
- Learning to access services digitally e.g. GP’s, dentist, housing
- Access to sports and leisure to stay well and active
4. Education and ESOL for all
- ESOL classes that support women and children
- Flexible ESOL for all levels including drop ins
- Creative offer including educational visits and conversational classes
- Digital skills classes
Who can apply:
Organisations are eligible to apply for the grant if they are:
- A VCFSE organisation based in and working in Rochdale Borough
- Experienced in working with refugees and asylum seekers
- Demonstrate how they can meet one or more of the objectives
- Show how the project addresses gaps (see below) and will reach residents who are not accessing other provision
- Agree to collate quarterly data and outcomes to share with the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Forum and GMCA
Grant amount: Grants of up to 5k for 6 months and 10k for 12 months are available.
Deadline: Friday 24 April 2026.
Application process:
All applications must be sent to, RRWP@rochdale.gov.uk and you will receive the decision via email.
Rochdale Refugee Welcome Programme Grant Guidance notes.docx (49.54 KB)
Rochdale Refugee Welcome Programme Application Form 2026.docx (50.2 KB)
Contact information:
Saira Banu: RRWP@rochdale.gov.uk - 01706 925106