BIRCH
Birmingham Community Hosting Network (known as BIRCH) works to relieve the destitution of asylum seekers in Birmingham, and promote community cohesion in the local area. It has created a network of community hosts and volunteers who offer safe accommodation in their homes, whilst also providing opportunities for people to form friendships and gain vital case-work support.
Allen Lane has contributed £9,342 over a two-year period towards the salary costs of the hosting coordinator. This role is part-time, and the funding will contribute additional paid hours each week from March 2016. With more dedicated time, the coordinator will have the capacity to recruit and train more hosts, manage more matches, and therefore help more asylum seekers move out of destitution.
