Refugee and Migrant Centre (RMC)

The Refugee and Migrant Centre was founded in Wolverhampton nine years ago by two volunteers. I

Initially called WARS, (Wolverhampton Asylum Seeker and Refugee Services), it has received support from the Barrow Cadbury Trust since its early days.
RMC assists asylum seekers, refugees and migrants from over 100 different countries.

Most of the clients speak little English but the organisation has the ability to offer a unique service as their staff is fluent in about 80% of the languages spoken by clients. The centre currently employs 12 staff and has 24 volunteers, all of whom are former users of the services.

The best way to describe the work of RMC would be “a one stop shop service which support refugees and migrants from the point of arrival until full settlement and naturalisation. The main priority of the organisation remains its most vulnerable service users who face destitution, lack of legal advice and mental health problems. The group work closely with partners and regional migration forums to improve the quality of other advice and support services to asylum seekers, refugees and migrant groups.

One of the local MPs holds a weekly surgery in the RMC office and can take up individual cases with Home Office ministers if necessary. At the official launch of new premises and new name in February 2008, the local MP Rob Marris spoke highly of the organisation describing it as 'one of the finest services of its kind in the country'.