Migration Impacts Fund bid success

Media release (23 July 2009)

Public Services win funding for migrant workers project

A joint project to improve the safety of migrant communities in Cheshire West and Chester is to share nearly £500,000 from a special Government fund.
The bid was submitted on behalf of the Local Strategic Partnership by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and will see the organisation training two migrant workers to provide safety advice and support for their communities during the next 12 months.
In addition, the project will also fund a specialist post through the Cheshire Domestic Abuse Partnership while other key proposals include extending advice and support services such as accommodation, welfare, employment and translation and interpreting.

The £476,388 has been secured by the Fire and Rescue Service from the national Migration Impacts Fund and will be used to support work in all four of the Local Strategic Partnerships in its area.
A further £470,425 has been provisionally awarded to continue the project in 2010/11, although this will not been confirmed until the Autumn.
“I am delighted that this joint bid has been successful as it will ensure our local public services can continue the good work which has already been done to support migrant communities,” said Mark Cashin, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Community Risk Reduction.
“People who have recently migrated to our area tend to be more at risk and establishing specialist community safety advocates will improve their safety and also help them to access local services.”
Cllr. Mike Jones, Chair of West Cheshire Together added: “This additional funding will help us to develop our expertise in this area and also reduce the pressure on our existing services and finances in having to respond to the needs of new migrant communities.”
Other outcomes from the project include establishing up to date figures on the numbers of migrants living and working in the area and providing road safety awareness and training.

Contact: Tim Bevington at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service on 01606 868657.