Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre

Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre welcomes all refugees, asylum seekers and migrants to help them rebuild their lives and achieve their full potential.

Menopause Awareness at CRMCLast week, the CRMC team took part in Menopause Awareness Training, helping us better underst...
27/08/2026

Menopause Awareness at CRMC

Last week, the CRMC team took part in Menopause Awareness Training, helping us better understand how menopause can affect individuals both personally and professionally, and how we can create a more supportive workplace for everyone.

The session explored:
💙What menopause is and the different stages of menopause
💙The wide range of symptoms people may experience
💙 Barriers that can prevent people from seeking help and support
💙Practical ways to support colleagues experiencing menopause in the workplace

We also learned about the importance of recognising cultural differences in menopause experiences.

Did you know?
💙The average age of menopause onset can vary across different groups, with research indicating it occurs around age 51 for White women, 49 for Black women, and 47-48 for South and East Asian women.
💙Symptoms and experiences can differ between communities, although more research is needed to understand why.
💙In some cultures, there is no direct word for menopause.
💙Cultural attitudes, social taboos, or fear of judgement may make it more difficult for some people to talk openly about menopause or seek support.
💙Language barriers can make it harder to describe symptoms and access appropriate information and services.
💙Women from minority ethnic backgrounds are less likely to access menopause support, highlighting the importance of culturally responsive and accessible services.

By increasing awareness and understanding, we can help create workplaces and communities where people feel comfortable discussing menopause, accessing support, and having their experiences recognised and understood.

A huge thank you to GP Lisa Shah for delivering such an insightful and thought-provoking session.

25/08/2026

Migration is often discussed, but not always understood. Taking the time to look beyond headlines and explore the facts can help us have more informed and constructive conversations about one of today's most debated topics.

We are pleased Our Annual Report 2025-26 is now availableWe're proud to share our Annual Report, highlighting the impact...
23/08/2026

We are pleased Our Annual Report 2025-26 is now available

We're proud to share our Annual Report, highlighting the impact we've made over the past year alongside our dedicated volunteers, partners, supporters, and service users.

Inside, you'll find:
Key achievements and milestones
Stories of impact from our community
Service developments and outcomes
A look ahead to the future

Thank you to everyone who has supported our work throughout the year.
If you would like a copy of the report feel free to DM us.

📖 Read the full report here: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/631d08bf2d.html

29 Health Champions Gain Practical Skills to Support People to Quit SmokingDelivered by the team in partnership with C...
19/08/2026

29 Health Champions Gain Practical Skills to Support People to Quit Smoking

Delivered by the team in partnership with Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre. 29 Health Champions from the second cohort joined a practical training session designed specifically to strengthen their knowledge and confidence in supporting and advising people who want to stop smoking.

Trainers explained the challenges associated with quitting smoking and introduced practical approaches that Health Champions can use when supporting family members and members of their communities.

Trainers highlighted common smoking triggers, including stress and social situations, and discussed practical ways of managing cravings. These included deep breathing, walking, exercise, drinking water, chewing gum, and choosing healthier snacks as alternatives to smoking.

The session also provided guidance on local stop-smoking services and referral pathways, helping Health Champions understand when and how to signpost individuals to appropriate professional support.

Through interactive discussions and role-play activities, Health Champions had the opportunity to practice having supportive and non-judgmental conversations about smoking. The practical exercises helped build their confidence in encouraging people to consider quitting and connecting them with specialist services when needed.

The training forms part of a series of sessions aimed at equipping Health Champions with practical knowledge and communication skills to promote healthier lifestyles within their communities.

Health Champions Receive Respiratory Health Awareness Training to Promote Healthier Communities-23 Health Champions atte...
18/08/2026

Health Champions Receive Respiratory Health Awareness Training to Promote Healthier Communities-

23 Health Champions attended a training session at Norton House on the common causes of coughing. The session was delivered by healthcare professionals from Warwick Medical School, with the aim of raising awareness of the possible causes of coughs and helping Health Champions recognise when further medical advice may be required.

The session covered common causes of short-term coughs, which often improve without treatment, including colds, flu, allergies, smoking, acid reflux, post-nasal drip, environmental irritants, and certain medicines.

The Health Champions were also made aware of symptoms that may require urgent medical attention, including significant difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, and coughing up blood.

Good respiratory hygiene practices were highlighted, including regular handwashing, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, disposing of tissues appropriately, avoiding smoking, and maintaining good ventilation.

To reinforce their learning and improve their confidence in sharing the information with their communities, Health Champions participated in role-play activities with each other.

Health Champions Learn How to Support Diabetes Prevention and Healthy Living25 Health Champions attended an informative ...
17/08/2026

Health Champions Learn How to Support Diabetes Prevention and Healthy Living

25 Health Champions attended an informative diabetes awareness session at Norton House. The session aimed to increase their understanding of diabetes and strengthen their ability to support healthier refugee communities.

The session covered a wide range of topics, including the different types of diabetes, common risk factors, signs and symptoms, prevention, early diagnosis, and the importance of effective self-management.

Health Champions also learned about the role of healthy eating, regular physical activity, weight management, and routine health checks in reducing the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and improving overall health.

The interactive session encouraged discussion and the sharing of experiences, giving Health Champions greater confidence to promote key health messages. By the end of the session, health champions felt more confident in raising awareness, supporting behaviour change, and helping people make healthier lifestyle choices.

Health Champions at the end of the session, were encouraged to promote healthier lifestyle choices within their communities and signpost people to appropriate health and wellbeing services.

14/08/2026

What do you know about safe & legal routes to the UK?

There are very few safe and legal routes to reach the UK. And for many nationalities, there is no visa that allows someone to travel to the UK solely to claim asylum. As a result, individuals must first reach the UK before they can make an asylum claim.

This means many are forced to enter to UK irregularly via dangerous channel crossings.

Under International Law- INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK ASYLUM- no matter how they arrive.

Irregular is NOT illegal. Spread the word!

Bike Project Helps Action Asylum Volunteers Develop Skills for Sustainable Travel32 Action Asylum volunteers attended th...
13/08/2026

Bike Project Helps Action Asylum Volunteers Develop Skills for Sustainable Travel

32 Action Asylum volunteers attended the third bike repair session as part of an eight-week training programme running until September 2026. Together, they repaired 10 bicycles requiring both light and major maintenance, gaining valuable hands-on experience.

The programme aims to help refugees and asylum seekers develop the skills and confidence to repair and maintain their own bicycles. It also promotes sustainable travel across Coventry and encourages volunteering within refugee and asylum-seeking communities.

The training session was delivered by five experienced volunteers who had previously completed specialist training with a professional bike mechanic.

One volunteer shared his experience, saying:

I really enjoyed learning how to repair a bike. Before today, I relied on my friends whenever something went wrong with my bicycle. Now I feel much more confident and independent. It was also a great opportunity to meet new people and work together as a team."

By the end of the programme, all volunteers will have developed practical skills that support independent travel, promote active and sustainable transport, and strengthen community volunteering across Coventry.

Let's be honest.Every wellbeing group has mantras.Every wellbeing group talks about positive thinking, self-care, and mi...
13/08/2026

Let's be honest.
Every wellbeing group has mantras.
Every wellbeing group talks about positive thinking, self-care, and mindfulness.
But what makes our Stress Management Group different is that these aren't just words on paper.
They become conversations.
They become shared experiences.
They become reminders from one person to another on difficult days.
Around the table, people colour, create, and chat. Some are facing stress, isolation, anxiety, or uncertainty. Yet there is always encouragement, always understanding, and always someone willing to listen.
The mantras matter.
But the people who help bring those words to life matter even more.

These scratch cards are colourful, creative, and fun.But they aren't the reason people come.People come for connection.F...
10/08/2026

These scratch cards are colourful, creative, and fun.
But they aren't the reason people come.
People come for connection.
For the welcoming atmosphere. For the kindness. For the conversations. For the chance to belong.
I've watched people who don't share a common language become friends. I've seen people with very limited literacy take part, contribute, laugh, and feel included. I've seen confidence blossom simply because someone took the time to say, "You're welcome here."
The activity doesn't have to be perfect.
What matters most is creating a space where people can find positivity, support, and genuine human connection.
And that's something worth celebrating. ❤️

Address

Norton House, Bird Street
Coventry
CV15FX

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

02476 227 254

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category