Our Mission – Overview – How we are supported – Vision – Values – Trustees
The Refugee and Migrant Centre (RMC) is an award-winning charity founded in 1999. It has offices in Wolverhampton, Walsall and Birmingham as well as pilot office in Dudley, working with clients from across the Black Country and Birmingham.
RMC is dedicated to helping disadvantaged refugees and migrants fully integrate into UK life and achieve independence. We have a team of highly qualified caseworkers and experienced advisors, accredited up to Level 3 by the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC). Our service provides comprehensive integration support to a diverse range of clients, including asylum seekers, refugees, EU migrants, undocumented people and those with uncertain immigration status.
Our service provides casework, advice and guidance on key areas including immigration, housing/homelessness/destitution, financial independence, employment and education, and health. In addition, we run in-house workshops and classes such as English (ESOL) classes to enhance the skills of our clients, and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training delivered by qualified trainers to upskill clients and professionals. Furthermore, our Resettlement & Integration programs are designed to support new arrivals in building stable, fulfilling lives.
RMC’s immigration team, provides free immigration advice from initial consultation to representation at immigration tribunals. Our team can also support eligible clients with the final step of integration: becoming British citizens.
Since its inception, RMC has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of individuals and families. Between 2023 and 2024, we supported 18,529 different individuals, handling 5,851 ongoing cases and 37,031 new enquiries. The beneficiaries came from 163 different nationalities and accessed RMC’s services through the over 40 languages provided onsite by our dedicated staff and volunteers.
How we are supported
RMC supports an average of 180 people daily, relying on charitable trusts and donations to sustain our vital frontline services. These funds help us assist the area’s most vulnerable clients, support destitute individuals, cover volunteers’ travel expenses, and provide accredited training for our diverse staff—many of whom come from the very communities we serve.
“Since 2012, RMC has helped dozens from the Windrush generation who, despite being here legally, struggled to prove their rights and have been treated dreadfully. Their legality should never have been questioned. The implementation of the ‘hostile environment’ has had devastating effects, with Windrush cases highlighting deeper issues within the UK immigration system.” – Arten Llazari, CEO
See more about our work with Windrush here
“For 25 years RMC has been supporting migrants and refugees to overcome barriers in their integration and build their life in the UK.
From one-off straightforward support to complex immigration advice and representation before the Tribunals, we are supporting our clients to navigate the system and resolve their cases. With the cuts in legal aid, the rise in application fees and a system that is always changing, RMC is there to provide essential, in person, support in what is otherwise a ‘legal desert’.” – Danai Papachristopoulou, Immigration Department Manager
Our Values
Empowerment
We strive, with compassion and respect, to enable all those we serve to reach their aspirations.
Inclusion
Led by people with lived experience, we respect diversity and are committed to equality.
Quality
We aspire to deliver excellent and ever improving services and respond holistically to the needs of all we assist.
Collaboration
We work collaboratively with our partners to achieve our mission of enabling refugees and migrants to fully participate in society.
Our Trustee Board
| Position | Name |
| Chair | Martin J. Cartwright |
| Secretary | Dr John Black |
| Treasurer | David Oliver |
| Board member | Richard Ashwell |
| Board member | Sarah Walters |
| Board member | Anne-Marie Powell |
| Board member | Emma Cairns |
| Board member | Yusuf Shafi |
| Board memeber | Rabs Grewal |
