The Refugee & Migrant Centre (RMC) provides a dedicated service to asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants living in the Black Country and Birmingham. Set up in 1999 by volunteers who were themselves refugees, the organisation is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee.
RMC is the only organisation of this size and capacity in the region, offering a seamless service and keeping an open door for some of the most vulnerable people in the society regardless of their immigration status or country of origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability. The beneficiaries originate from over 120 different countries, RMC staff and volunteer team is skilled, diverse and culturally competent in assiting the clients with sensitivity and respect.
Since the start of its work sixteen years ago, RMC has filled a huge gap in the services available and has made a positive impact on the lives of thousands of people. In the process, it has become an effective and professional organisation with very sound governance with the ability to attract and manage a broad range of projects. They have successfully delivered projects funded by various trusts and foundations, including the Lottery, EU, central and local governments.
One of the main strengths of the organisation is its Board of Trustees. The extensive knowledge and expertise of the directors/trustees has helped enormously over the years. In addition, RMC benefits from a dynamic management and a strong, forward thinking team. The services are managed and delivered mainly by people who have gone through the experience of being a refugee or migrant themselves, and can communicate empathetically with beneficiaries in their own language.
From the beginning they have developed the services in response to the needs of the communities they assist. The seamless and comprehensive approach covers many issues related to the settlement and integration of new and emerging communities. Over the years RMC has become an integral part of many partnerships and enjoys an excellent reputation both regionally and nationally.
In November 2007 they changed the name from Wolverhampton Asylum Seeker & Refugee Service (WARS) to The Refugee & Migrant Centre (RMC). The new name is more inclusive and reflects better the trends in the field of work. The change was the logical consequence of the broadening of the remit following the expansion of EU in 2004.
The current headquarters in Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton are in the City centre and have full disabled access. This accommodation allows RMC to provide facilities and space appropriate to the service users’ needs, the advice teams, as well as the many volunteers, and have allowed RMC to meet the growing need for its services in the area.
RMC opened its offices in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter on the 4th of July 2016. This will provide a comprehensive service for Birmingham offering professional, timely advice to a wide and inclusive client group, including: asylum seekers, refugees, EU and other vulnerable migrants. Beneficiaries will access free, seamless, wrap around expert advice and support at crucial times in their lives. Priority will be given to the areas of immigration, housing and destitution, welfare and health. RMC very much look forward to working with friends and partners, old and new in Birmingham and to complementing each other’s work in order to effectively and efficiently address the needs of the most vulnerable individuals amongst new and emerging communities.
