GMYN plans jam-packed summer of activities for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children

Here at GMYN we are planning a jam-packed summer of actives for the separated young people we support, also known as Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC).

We are now in the third year of running our Beeing Together programme that supports separated young people who have arrived in the UK as children (aged under 18) without their families to claim asylum. We then carry on working with the young people once they receive their refugee status and up until the age of 21.  

Last year alone we supported 140 young people, with sessions held across Greater Manchester including in Manchester, Bury, Wigan and Stockport. 

Our Beeing Together programme combines a mix of group activities, including sports, arts and craft and music sessions, where young people can socialise and form friendships while learning English, developing new skills and growing in confidence. We also offer one-to-one sessions for young people who need more support. 

Through Beeing Together, we have supported some separated young people for almost two years and have seen the long-term impact of the programme through their achievements.

Young people involved in the project have completed GCSEs, A-Levels or T-Levels and are now planning for university or getting jobs and volunteering placements. 

While taking part in the programme young people have raised awareness of the challenges they face, spoke at conferences, and ran the Greater Manchester Run raising a huge £1,000 for GMYN. 

Project Manager Eleanor Reardon says: “I’m so proud of how much our young people have learnt and grown through our programme. Despite all the challenges they face, they are so eager to learn, help each other and connect to their new communities.”

Beeing Together activities this summer will include music and sport sessions, as well as social action projects, trips away, and our ever-popular English Conversation Club. 

The sessions will be run and organised by Eleanor alongside Programme Worker, Faisal Al Raisi and Programme Coordinator, Imogen Hadebe. 

Earlier this year, Imogen and Faisal helped take a group of separated asylum-seeking young people on a five-day adventure to the Lake District.

For some, it was the first time they had explored the British countryside and gave them a chance to be children again and experience joy without fear, perhaps for the first time since leaving their homes.

In the beautiful surroundings of Ullswater, the young people took part in lots of fun activities, including orienteering, gorge walking, hiking, and canoeing. The activities helped boost their confidence and team-working skills.

One young person who went on the five-day trip, said: “I’ve really enjoyed us working together as a team. We were all here to help each other out and make each other realise we can do it as long as we’re together – we really energise each other.”

The Beeing Together programme, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, is being delivered in partnership with the Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit that is also providing legal support for any young people who need it. 

Through the programme young people can receive advice on the asylum process and support with campaigns on issues that affect them.

As our lottery funding for the programme near its end, we are actively seeking new investment to ensure the vital support we offer not only continues but grows to meet rising demand. We know there are many more young people who could benefit from the same safe spaces, trusted relationships and tailored support we provide at GMYN.

With the right funding partners, we’re ready to build on what works – extending our reach, deepening our impact, and ensuring no young person has to navigate their new life alone.

If you know of any separated asylum-seeking children that live or reside in Greater Manchester, please invite them to get in touch and come along to our sessions. You can contact our Programme Manager Eleanor Reardon via email at [email protected]

Find information on how to support GMYN here.