ABDI AHMED SAYS... ‘When I moved out of the Manchester Settlement housing, the staff helped me find a house in Hulme. They also helped me buy stuff for my new house. It has helped me to be more independent. If I had a problem with anything I could call them. Richard was my support worker; he gave me advice to do well in life. The staff make Manchester Settlement different to other places that I have lived. And where I was before there were no activities, I like the activities here. Being part of this community gives you a sense of pride. I wouldn’t change coming here. It’s one of the best things I’ve done.’ SIRAJ SAYS... ‘They help me with anything, any support. The community here, it’s lovely. I like coming here because it helps me to talk to other people and have conversations. If you come here, you can meet kind, lovely people. If you have any problems, the staff will help you to fix it and show you how to do that.’ AHMED SAYS... ‘I am happy when I am here, it’s like my home. This is the best community centre in Manchester. The staff are working hard for us young people. They provide a lot of help with the houses and the activities like sport and football.’ Our supported housing team work hard to create a strong support network, a community and a family for the young refugees and asylum seekers that we work with. We aim to create a home for our young people, not only in the housing we provide, but also a feeling of home in the people at Manchester Settlement. We strive to help our young people feel empowered to know their choices, rights and where they can go in life, allowing them to live independently whilst feeling supported in the knowledge that we are here for them. By creating a safe space for our young people, we aim to ensure that they feel secure within themselves and know that they have a place within our community. Ultimately, we hope to create the sense that they are truly cared for and welcome at Manchester Settlement, providing a stepping stone for a bright future. DAWIT SAYS... ‘I feel good when I am here, I enjoy myself here. The staff are very good and nice. When I have something to ask, they listen to me.’ SAID SAYS... ‘The Manchester Settlement is a place of love, a place of equality, a place of unity and a place of justice. I don’t have family in the UK, but they are my family. I want to say thank you to all of them for that. Everyone here are heroes. The staff are my heroes. I feel more independent because the staff here give me responsibilities to do on my own and they teach me good lessons for life. They give you the keys for life. I’m proud of them and I am happy to be here. Because of their help I can go to college, I achieve my goal because of them.’ SOPHIA SAYS... ‘They helped me find a home. This place makes me feel safe and nice. The people and staff here are friendly and make this place special. They help with everything. Being here feels like being with friends. Being part of this community gives you a sense of pride. I wouldn’t change coming here. It’s one of the best things I’ve done.’ SOPHIA The people and staff here are friendly and make this place special MANCHESTER SETTLEMENT SUPPORTED HOUSING WHAT THE STAFF HAVE TO SAY... The Supported Housing Football Team RICHARD SAYS... ‘We have a small team, but the support is broad. People who come here are apprehensive at the beginning, but everyone feels comfortable after a while. The main aim is that when you leave you leave in a better place than when you came, better equipped, and more independent. Our young people always come back to us, whether that’s because they like to see us or because they need the support. They always know that we’re here and will always help even after they’ve left; they have confidence in us.’ TAVINA SAYS... ‘Our young people become more confident as well as more emotionally stable and aware. We are clearly helping to make more emotionally resilient young people, which is maybe the most important thing we can do. We put a lot of work into building trusting relationships with our young people, we believe you can’t achieve anything without that trust. We really emphasise the relationship side, make sure that’s in place before focusing on anything else.’ We are... 11 12
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