The need for the project is driven by major population and recent legal changes in the UK. Since the Accession of eight nations from Central and Eastern Europe into the European Union (A8), there has been a huge rise in the numbers of European (EEA) nationals living in the UK and Greater Manchester. Their total number is estimated at over 60,000 (ONS revision), of whom 70% are Polish with signific
ant clusters of Slovak, Czech, Lithuanian and Romanian nationalities, as well as Roma ethnicity in specific wards – eg Lower Broughton (Salford), Gorton (Manchester), Halliwell (Bolton). There is no local European-led initiative to tackle the challenges faced by young European migrants unlike other ethnic communities with specific youth provision. The number one barrier to better community relations is the lack of options with respect to language provision and cultural understanding. Informal surveys by Open Culture has found that migrants who do not speak English well are the most vulnerable and socially isolated and least likely to approach mainstream agencies. Feedback from GMP Front-Line officers confirms how access to fluent European staff can reduce police misunderstandings and delays in tackling violent offenders and supporting victims effectively. We had run over 20 community events in Cheetham Hill and asked participants for feedback (questionnaires, wall stickers, wishing well and listening). We became aware of insufficient provision of public services in the community. We have been supported in the efforts to build inclusive community by:
Manchester City Council, Big Lottery, Aviva Community Fund, Postcode Lottery, GM Police and Crime Commissioner Fund, Our Place, Department for Communities and Local Government, Locality and Nationwide Foundation, Consulate General of the Republic of Poland.
