OneWorld UnityBridge CIC, based in Stockport, UK, is a community-driven organisation dedicated to supporting refugees, migrants, and diverse communities in Greater Manchester. Established with the mission of empowering and uplifting vulnerable individuals, OneWorld UnityBridge addresses critical gaps in services for newcomers, including health and wellness, food security, career readiness, and social integration. As a registered Community Interest Company (CIC) and not-for-profit, we believe that community is central to building a better future. Through tailored support programs, partnerships, and a compassionate team, we work to create spaces where individuals can heal, connect, and thrive.
Key Programs of OneWorld UnityBridge
OneWorld UnityBridge offers several transformative programs designed to foster resilience, self-reliance, and community bonds. With financial support from the National Lottery Community Fund in 2024–2025, along with in-kind donations and partnerships, we have been able to initiate and expand our services. Yet, as our ambitions grow, additional resources are needed to fully realise our vision.
Stories Unite! Program
The Stories Unite! program provides refugees with a safe platform to share their personal journeys, fostering healing and emotional resilience. This flagship initiative encourages participants to reflect on and reclaim their narratives, turning past challenges into sources of strength. Storytelling has been shown to improve emotional wellbeing and mental health by breaking isolation, boosting confidence, and helping participants connect with others who have shared similar experiences.
OneWorld Active! Program
Physical activity is crucial for health and community integration, especially among newly arrived families. At the Grand Central LifeLeisure,OneWorld Active! offers group exercise sessions, swimming classes, and sports activities that support physical and mental health while creating meaningful social connections. Studies highlight the significant impact of exercise on reducing stress and improving mental health, especially in communities facing economic challenges.
Food Bank & Clothes Bank
Many newcomers face food insecurity and lack basic essentials. Our Foodbank and Clothes Bank provide vital support, ensuring that no family goes without essential food and clothing. Through partnerships with local food programs, we address immediate needs, helping ease the transition for refugees and sanctuary seekers while promoting dignity and stability.
Financial Independence through ROSCA (Sandooq)
The ROSCA model, known as Sandooq, is a community-led savings initiative that promotes financial independence. Through a collaboration with Bloom Money, we are working to digitise this model, making financial resources accessible to a broader group of participants.
Career Coaching
Our Career Coaching service supports individuals in becoming job-ready, offering guidance on CV writing, interview skills, and job search strategies.
Community Space at Tiviot Dale Methodist Church
We operate from a welcoming space within the Tiviot Dale Methodist Church in Stockport, every Monday and Friday, where we offer resources, host events, and provide a social space for our community members to gather and connect. We also provide a multi-agency drop in advice service sessions during the first and final day of the working week at the Tiviot Dale Methodist Church in Stockport, SK1 1TA.
Health and Wellbeing in Greater Manchester’s Diverse Communities
In Greater Manchester, health disparities among ethnic minorities, particularly Black, Asian, and other diverse communities, are well-documented. Migrants and refugees often experience poorer health outcomes due to factors like housing instability, unemployment, and cultural and language barriers that can limit access to healthcare. For example, research from Public Health England shows that refugees and migrants face higher rates of mental health challenges due to the trauma of displacement, coupled with social isolation and economic pressures . This highlights the critical need for initiatives like OneWorld Active! and Stories Unite!, which directly address the physical and mental health needs of these communities.
To further align with the Greater Manchester Live Well initiative, which focuses on preventive health measures, OneWorld UnityBridge incorporates physical health, mental wellbeing, and social support as core components of our programming. By creating a safe and supportive environment, we help our community members live healthier lives, build friendships, and form networks that can prevent future health crises.
Bringing Communities Together: The National Lottery Community Fund’s Vision
OneWorld UnityBridge’s mission aligns with the National Lottery Community Fund’s priority of Bringing Communities Together. This fund supports projects that foster connections, reduce isolation, and create cohesive communities. Our Stories Unite! and OneWorld Active! programs epitomise this priority, bringing together diverse groups to share stories, engage in healthy activities, and build trust across cultures. With a £20,000 grant from the Community Fund for 2024–2025, we’ve been able to expand these programs. However, our annual budget projection is at £150,000, funds are limited, and further support is essential to meet the demand for our services and realise our broader vision.
Partnerships and Community Support
Our work is made possible by partnerships with organisations like Refugee Action’s FIAP (Frontline Immigration Advice Partnership) and support from the Stockport Council. As we work towards formal recognition under the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC), we aim to provide additional asylum and protection, legal and immigration services to meet the critical needs of the Stockport Community. Stockport Council’s and the National Community Fund’s priorities—promoting inclusivity, addressing health disparities, and supporting vulnerable populations—closely align with our goals. Together, we are building a foundation that supports everyone to play an important part in addressing the challenges must overcome in ensuring that we create One cohesive community for everyone. This can only be achieved if and when marginalised communities and organisations supporting them are supported in their efforts to foster inclusive, healthy, and resilient community strategies.
Looking Forward: The Need for Continued Support
OneWorld UnityBridge has made substantial progress in a very short time, but our ambitions require ongoing funding and community support. The need for tailored, culturally-sensitive support programmes targeted at marginalised communities is more urgent than ever, as migrant and refugee populations in Greater Manchester continue to grow- we can only be as strong as our weakest link . We call on local businesses, community leaders, and individuals to join us in creating a welcoming environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Together, we can build bridges across cultures, strengthen community bonds, and empower individuals to make meaningful contributions to our society. Support us!
References
Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership. Taking Charge of our Health and Social Care in Greater Manchester.
Public Health England. Health and Wellbeing of Refugees and Asylum Seekers: An Evidence and Policy Review.
The National Lottery Community Fund. Bringing People Together: Community Fund Priorities and Impact.
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