Beeing Together Launches a New Chapter for Separated Asylum-Seeking Young People
This spring marked an exciting milestone for GMYN’s Beeing Together programme, which has secured a further four years of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund. This will enable us to continue supporting separated asylum-seeking young people aged 15-21 across Greater Manchester, helping them build connections, develop confidence and create positive futures.
Separated asylum-seeking young people often arrive in the UK alone, without family support, while navigating a new culture, language and complex systems. Beeing Together exists to reduce isolation and ensure young people have opportunities to belong, thrive and feel part of their local communities.
What the work will deliver
Over the next four years, Beeing Together will continue to provide activities and support designed to improve young people’s wellbeing, confidence and independence. Through group sessions, trips and practical support, young people will develop key life skills, build friendships and gain a better understanding of life in the UK.
The programme aims to create lasting change by helping young people access education, employment and community opportunities while ensuring they feel valued and supported during a critical stage of their lives.
As one young person shared:
“This support does not only go into activities, but into young people, education and real opportunities that can change a person’s life. GMYN is not just an organisation for us, but a chance, a hope and a path towards a better future.”
Young people at the heart of the launch
To celebrate this new chapter, we hosted a launch event attended by support workers, social workers, local authority representatives, partners and funders. The event was co-hosted by young person Amein Ali alongside GMYN CEO Alex Fairweather, demonstrating our commitment to putting young people’s voices at the centre of our work.
A highlight of the event was a panel discussion featuring six young people who shared their experiences of the programme. They spoke courageously about learning to use public transport independently, improving their English, overcoming fears, accessing employment opportunities and building confidence. Their stories clearly demonstrated the difference Beeing Together has made in their lives, and Programme Coordinator Imogen Hadebe shared she was “bursting with pride” watching them speak with such confidence.
Evidence of impact
The stories shared by young people reflected findings from an independent evaluation of the programme. The evaluation found that participants felt happier, more hopeful and more confident as a result of taking part. Young people described the programme as being “like family” and highlighted how it helped them develop practical life skills and feel more connected to British society.
The report also identified the programme as a vital source of support for age-disputed young people, helping to address gaps in provision across Greater Manchester.
What makes Beeing Together unique
Beeing Together combines practical support with fun, creative and meaningful experiences shaped by young people’s needs and aspirations. The programme reflects GMYN’s values of courage, compassion, learning, creativity and fun, ensuring young people are not only supported but empowered.
During the launch event, attendees took part in a creative activity designed to build understanding of the journeys many young people have experienced before arriving in the UK. Participants shared how impactful the exercise was in building empathy and encouraging reflection on how services can better support young people affected by trauma.
Looking ahead
We know the best outcomes are achieved when organisations work together. That’s why we are launching the Beeing In-Sight steering group this September, bringing together practitioners supporting separated asylum-seeking young people to share learning, strengthen practice and collaborate on solutions.
If you would like to join the Beeing In-Sight steering group, please contact [email protected]. Professionals wishing to refer a young person to Beeing Together can contact [email protected].
As Beeing Together enters this exciting new phase, our ambition remains clear: to ensure every separated asylum-seeking young person feels welcomed, connected and supported to build a positive future in Greater Manchester.
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