New migrants will be given a helping hand to make Haringey their home with the launch of the council’s pioneering integration programme.
Connected Communities, which begins on 24 September, will help migrants to settle more quickly and successfully into life in the borough, offering the right support for people to handle a range of challenges.
The Connected Communities programme will be based at the Marcus Garvey Library, with residents, service providers and members of voluntary and community groups welcome to drop in or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Outreach and support programmes will take place in a range of venues including children’s centres, libraries, voluntary and community organisations and other pop-up locations within the borough.
Last night community groups gathered at a launch event at the library, attended by Councillor Mark Blake, Haringey Council Cabinet Member for Communities. Cllr Blake said:
“Haringey has a proud tradition of community cohesion and I’m delighted that we will be able to build on that through the MHCLG-funded Connected Communities programme. We know many migrants face challenges when they first arrive. Helping them to integrate better in the borough benefits them and also builds strong, supportive communities. I look forward to seeing Connected Communities take shape.”
Made possible by a grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Connected Communities will build upon the council’s existing work to support residents from all backgrounds across the borough. It will offer additional support and advice for Haringey residents who have arrived in the UK during the last ten years to develop a sense of belonging and contribute to and benefit from Haringey’s goal of all residents living well and achieving their potential.
The programme will offer support in these key areas:
Employment: The Haringey Employment and Skills Team (HEST) will have more resources so that they can support more residents into good, qualification-appropriate work. This will include assistance with transferring qualifications, finding work around caring responsibilities and ensuring residents are aware of relevant employment legislation. HEST will also be working with a number of workplaces to deliver English language support.v Housing: There will be additional information, advice and guidance on offer at Marcus Garvey Library, specifically aimed at migrants and other communities most likely to live in HMOs, as well as borough landlords. Parenting and early years: From our Children’s Centres, the Connected Communities programme will encourage take up of Haringey’s free childcare offers and work directly with migrant parents. This work will include an expansion of Haringey’s successful Parent Champions programme ESOL: In addition to their existing programme, the Haringey Adult Learning Service (HALS) will be working with the Connected Communities programme to deliver additional ESOL including English language support in the workplace and parent-friendly ESOL Voluntary and community sector: We will be working with The Bridge Renewal Trust, the Selby Trust and others to increase the capacity of this sector to build strong communities and maximise use of public assets and facilities.
