The projects we are currently involved in:
In 2019, ICOS established a first ever Eastern European (EE) women only group in the
region– ICOS Women (https://icos.org.uk/icos-women/). The project has been
developed by-and-for for EE women (the group is equally open to all other women to
encourage integration/equality). It was established to improve women’s wellbeing,
skills/confidence, but also to provide a safe, inclusive environment to meet and build
new relationships through taking part in regular activities, one-to-one support, and
community leadership/development.
It involves a project steering group (PSG) of 8,
who meet on a regular basis to make key decisions about the project. Evidence
gathered through co-produced research (https://icos.org.uk/icos-women/ -"ICOS
Women Research projects") shows that there is a need to provide empowerment and
confidence building activities.
Through the project, we will provide effective support to the women, focusing EE Women (but all
women will be eligible).
The project will deliver needs-tailored sessions.
Each session will be at 2 hours in length, and will include an ice-breaker, introduction,
a talk, a discussion, and 1-2 interactive exercises. The following sessions will be
delivered:
● Dealing with past trauma
● Confidence building
● Healthy relationships
● Dealing with stress and anxiety
● Mindfulness
ICOS would like to thank Ringtons and the Community Foundation of Tyne and Wear &
Northumberland for their funding and support.
In the Summer of 2021, ICOS started delivering sports activities. ICOS Sports is a project which
is delivered by a group of volunteers. It started as men of mostly Eastern European descent
were coming to us to express they had felt isolated due to the COVID19 pandemic, as they
were often unable to work due to being on furlough, and those in work often were engaged in
repetitive work on a production line. ICOS Sports has expanded from its initial focus on Eastern
European men community to also including women and refugees and asylum seekers.
Our aim is to increase the wellbeing of engaging BME people, including refugees and asylum
seekers and other migrants. However, ICOS Sports is inclusive and is open for all to participate.
Examples of ICOS Sport activities include: weight lifting, kayaking, rock climbing, skiing, futsal,
basketball, tubbing, watersports, beach ball, snowboard, ice skating.
ICOS Sports is currently funded by Sunderland Counselling Service and the Know Your
Neighbour Fund at the National Lottery Community Fund. Thanks to their funding ICOS Sports
can continue to provide sports activities. ICOS Sports activities are planned by a group of
volunteers. If you want to get involved, please contact Daniel on daniel@icos.org.uk.
ICOS, with its track record of delivering advice/advocacy dating back to 2010, will provide
intensive, one-to-one support to migrants living in Sunderland and the surrounding areas for 12
months. This will include advice and advocacy to access benefits, housing and
services (e.g., GP practices/schools), and help with understanding official correspondence. We
will focus on Eastern European women, who are facing significant issues related to accessing
public services and benefits, but not exclude anyone. Women will constitute at least 60%
clients. Most clients will need between 2-4 meetings and 6-8 hours of support to resolve their
issue. The support will be provided by an experienced project worker (over 2 years of
experience of advice/advocacy), and managed by a manager who has almost 15 years of
experience.
We will provide one-to-one support, aimed at migrants in Sunderland, including refugees, to
access online services, such as online bank accounts, the Universal Credit account, council
tax payments and other services. We will provide, on average, between 5-10 hours of
support to each client, approximately 50% of this will be used to resolve their issues, with
about 50% used to support them to become more independent when using digital services.
We will support at least 50 clients, focusing on Sunderland.
We will also work with local further education providers to enable clients to gain basic ICT
qualifications, utilizing the links/experience gained through our employability work.
The project will provide intensive, one-to-one support to clients who struggle to access
services/opportunities online due to language barriers or limited digital literacy, or lack of
awareness of the local systems.
The project worker will help migrant people to access services such as online NHS
appointments/records, bank accounts or HMRC services. They will also receive support to
become more independent.
The support will be flexible to meet client needs, and we will advertise it through posters in
community venues, social media and word-of-mouth, as well as partner organisations.
Funds will also be spent on expenses for staff and volunteers (at least 5 volunteers will
support delivery), and a laptop for the staff member.
We are grateful to the Access Foundation for their generous funding.
ICOS will work with Sunderland City Council (SCC) to expand the Health Champions network,
focusing on women and BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) communities. Working with
SCC, we will provide one-to-one support and encouragement to become a full Sunderland
Health Champion (HC) or a Health Messenger (HM) and utilise this knowledge in reaching-out
to members of the BAME community and running engagement events.
The #HC/HM+ project will enable for the recruitment/support of a diverse cohort of HCs/HMs,
well-equipped to provide peer-to-peer support to people from a variety of cultures/backgrounds.
#HC/HM+ will support at least 25 people to become HMs, and 15 will become full HCs. They will speak at least 8 different languages. #HC/HM+ will focus on women, and provide support to a range of communities, including refugees/asylum seekers (from a variety of countries), Eastern Europeans, settled/2nd generation migrants (e.g., those from African and Bangladeshi
communities/heritage), and international students, as well as their families.
The project is funded by the Voluntary Organisations’ Network North East (VONNE), through the Health Champions Development Fund, and we are grateful to this fudner for their generous support.
Ther project will connect local people to nature and inspire them to take care in the local area activities, focusing on nature, across the whole length of the project and will include physical improvements, as well as educational workshops.
ICOS is grateful to the Linden Fund at the Community Foundation Tyne and Wear & Northumberland for their funding to provide holistic, one-to-one employment advice support to people from minority ethnic and migrant backgrounds.
We will work with that least 25 clients, and out of those clients:
-at least 13 will progress into employment
-at least 13 will access training
-at least 16 will experience a better financial situation and 11 better wellbeing.
Many will benefit in more than one way.
ICOS would like to thank Bernicia Foundation at the Community Foundation Tyne and Wear & Northumberland for their generous funding, which will enable ICOS to provide intensive one to one support to migrant and minorititized people with accessing employment.
ICOS will support migrants in Sunderland to progress into work, education and training through delivering one-to-one, intensive employability advice and providing access to opportunities for progression to: -women affected by systemic barriers, such as being a single parent, childcare access or travel, and those affected by domestic abuse -refugees who have recently been granted refugee status and are now able to apply for work for the 1st time.
The project will provide dedicated support to progress into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) jobs, and placements/work experience.
The recently concluded ICOS project in Sunderland successfully supported Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) individuals in achieving improved financial resilience, enhanced well-being, and better access to mainstream services. With a focus on tailored, intensive support, the project addressed a range of issues faced by excluded BME people, including accessing benefits, housing, and essential services. Through one-on-one assistance from experienced advice workers, the project significantly impacted at least 120 individuals, both adults and children, providing an average of 10 hours of support per person.
The project’s proactive approach involved establishing SMART goals during initial meetings, ensuring mutual understanding and progress tracking. By addressing the needs of families in transition, such as those fleeing domestic abuse or recent asylum seekers, the project played a crucial role in guiding them through challenges and unfamiliar territories.
ICOS’s peer-run model, comprising staff and board members with migration experiences, contributed to effective support delivery. Additionally, the recruitment of volunteers from the community further enhanced the project’s impact, involving them in engagement, planning, and administration.
The project successfully filled gaps in existing services, providing comprehensive support beyond appeals, particularly for those with limited English proficiency. Outreach efforts, including social media, local shops, faith centres, and word of mouth, ensured wide community engagement.
ICOS collaborated with Sunderland City Council, leveraging data and intelligence to address the unique needs of BME communities. The project’s success, rooted in the diverse experiences of its team, exemplifies its commitment to aiding integration, reducing social isolation, and improving the overall quality of life for BME individuals in Sunderland.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Links for Life for their generous support, enabling us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve
The project will aim to enhance the well-being of Black and Minoritized (BME) individuals in Sunderland, with a particular focus on those facing exclusion and distress, such as refugees (including Ukrainians), asylum seekers, women affected by domestic abuse, and individuals impacted by modern-day slavery/exploitation, including participants from the BiC2 project.
The core activities of the project will average one per week, alternating between physical activities like well-being walks, Nordic Walking, or Yoga, and sessions fostering togetherness and emotional well-being through arts & crafts or social outings. Leveraging partnerships with organizations like MBC Arts and FODI, the project will also engage Wellbeing Volunteers, including project ambassadors recruited from the community.
With an average participation of 10-15 hours, the project aims to benefit 50 adult clients, with at least 6 volunteering. It is anticipated that the project will significantly impact 37 adults and 17 children, resulting in improved well-being, and 42 adults and 20 children forming new friendships. By connecting BME individuals to existing local opportunities, such as the Glass Centre and Winter Gardens, the project aims to contribute to better integration and neighbourhood familiarity for newcomers.
We express our sincere appreciation to the Sunderland Counselling Service for their generous support, empowering us to enhance the well-being of our community.
ICOS Creative Mum’s Club will continue to bring together Eastern European (EE) mothers and children through a series of bi-weekly, co-planned creative activities. The project, aiming to address social isolation, will feature diverse initiatives such as seasonal arts and crafts, heritage-themed projects, and workshops led by group members. It is expected to engage over 100 women and children directly, with an additional 50 benefiting indirectly, guided by the Project Steering Group comprising 6-8 women.
Collaborating with partners like Sunderland Culture and Sangini, the project will deliver 26 sessions at accessible venues, fostering creativity and building strong community bonds. The outreach strategy will encompass social media, word of mouth, and collaboration with partner organizations, ensuring widespread community engagement. Responding to specific challenges EE women face, such as social isolation and discrimination, the project will continue to provide structured volunteering opportunities for at least 15 individuals, contributing to their skills and confidence development.
Maintaining a commitment to environmental consciousness, the project will incorporate eco-friendly activities and upcycling workshops, aligning with ICOS’s comprehensive environmental policy. The project’s anticipated success will build on ICOS’s track record, creating a welcoming, creative space that successfully addresses the needs of EE women and their children in the future.
We express our sincere thanks for the invaluable support from the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund, which is instrumental in fuelling this project.
The project will provide one-to-one support to BME people for whom English is their 2nd
language, focusing on liaison with energy providers regarding debt, repayments, errors meter
issues and billing issues, reducing the impact of the energy crisis, and the cost of living crisis on
vulnerable communities. We will also support clients to make applications for energy related
grants, e.g. the British Gas Energy Fund (https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/grants-available/)-
our clients often struggle to find/access/identify relevant documentation, and understand
procedures associated with making such applications.
Additionally, we will assist vulnerable people with becoming registered with the Priority Register
Service. The project will be delivered by a staff member experienced in delivering community
advice, who will also complete relevant training delivered by the National Energy Action (NEA),
including the Fuel Debt Advice in the Community(level 2) course. This staff member will deliver
1.5 days of work/week and will be supervised by the manager, who already has the NEA
qualification, as well as experience of delivering energy advice dating back 2013, including the
2018 Northern Powergrid-funded work (https://icos.org.uk/past-projects-2/).
We would like to thank the Northern Gas Networks and Community Foundation Tyne and Wear
and Northumberland for their funding and support.
For more information, please contact Daniel Krzyszczak: daniel@icos.org.uk,
0759 653 84 82
The project will address the underrepresentation of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) women in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) sector in Sunderland. The initiative will focus on empowering at least 30 BME women, including migrants, Eastern Europeans, refugees, and those providing care, to develop and progress in STEM careers.
Through a series of five workshops and one-to-one support sessions, the project will provide tailored advice on employability, personal development plans, and practical steps to enter STEM professions. Established links with STEM employers such as the North East Ambulance Service, Northumbria Water, Sunderland University, and NEXUS will facilitate valuable insights and networking opportunities for the beneficiaries.
Example workshops, including health professions and environmental engineering, will be designed to provide practical information, motivation, and networking opportunities. Each client will receive an average of 10-15 hours of support, addressing individual needs and complexities.
The project aims to overcome barriers faced by BME women, such as discrimination, racism, and social exclusion, documented in research conducted between May 2021 and December 2022. By enhancing awareness, confidence, and access to training and employment, the project seeks to contribute to breaking down barriers and promoting equity in the STEM workforce.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Community Foundation and Platten Community Fund for their generous funding, enabling us to make a positive impact in our community.
More details can be found on the following page:
https://icos.org.uk/east-rangers/
The project is scheduled to run from April 2023 till April 2024.
In cooperation with the local community, ward councillors, Sunderland City Council, schools and others, we are currently working to make St Michal’s ward in Sunderland a better, greener and more community– focused place to live. This is done through regular clean – ups, maintenance activities and awareness- raising workshops; including those focusing on families with children.
We focus on Backhouse Park, but activities elsewhere in the ward are also delivered from time to time.
The project offers numerous volunteering opportunities and most activities take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with some also happening on weekends.
If you are interested in volunteering at our litter picks or helping with installing bird houses etc., please contact Daniel Krzyszczak: https://icos.org.
Training opportunities in environmental management are also available!
Through EESP(3) will offer individual, flexible support to EE communities in Sunderland/surrounding area. This will enable more people to fulfil their potential by working to address problems at the earliest possible stage. It will be done through regular one-to-one support with a range of issues, including help with contacting/responding to public bodies/organisations (e.g. the local council, GP practices, schools), support with correspondence as well as attending services in person. Access to information and signposting to appropriate services- (such as English/ESOL classes, health/well-being services or legal advice) will also be core to the offer. The project will be delivered by our current staff and 10 volunteers will be recruited. The project will provide better access to advice and guidance/early intervention and we will target at least 120 beneficiaries. Of these, we expect that 70% will report that their problems have been solved/prevented, 35% will report better health/wellbeing and 35% will report a better financial situation.
ICOS is grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund for their funding.
More details can be found on the following page:
We continue to represent new communities in Sunderland and beyond and make sure we are heard and visible.
We are an active member of the Sunderland Black and Minority Ethnic Network (SBMEN, http://www.sbmen.org/), which helps us to work together and be heard. Michal Chantkowski represents SBMEN at the board of Sunderland’s Community-Led Local Development.(https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/clld ) as deputy chairperson.
We are also involved in the regional skills board, the North East Migration Partnership, Sunderland’s local area committees and Northumbria Police’s Independent Advisory Group.
- People’s Powerhouse- strategic engagement:
-On 09/11/2019, we organised a successful event to engage Eastern European current and potential entrepreneurs with the Northern Powerhouse agenda and talk about the priorities they believed the government should be pursuing with regard to supporting small businesses in the region. We engaged with about 20 people.
-on 19/11/2019, our staff (Michal, Julia and Alessia) delivered a workshop at the annual People’s Powerhouse convention. This session focused on the issues that migrants in the region face when it comes to progression into work and training, as well as in-work exploitation and abuse. https://icos.org.uk/2020/01/07/peoples-powerhouse-convention/?fbclid=IwAR3vg3fYfzTP7BYWh9BS7BpP39rr_fxlNJzdr0lYWXeLj968eRV4U1Y0nCs
- The Back in Control project
This project opens up new opportunities for influencing policy.
- Eastern European Women Survey (2021)
Between May 2021 and December 2021, ICOS worked with the University of Sunderland to research issues affecting Eastern European women in Tyne and Wear. This research uncovered wide spread discrimination, racism and misogyny directed at Eastern European women in areas including employment and public services:
Part 1 (Survey) https://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/id/eprint/13971/
Part 2 (Qualitative findings: Focus groups and interviews) https://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/id/eprint/14580/
The project was funded by the Growth and Resilience Fund at Community Foundation Tyne and Wear Northumberland.
-Through the Community Buddies research project, we are working with the British Science Association. The aim of the research project is to raise awareness and importance of healthcare research among Eastern European (EE) women (especially including women in pregnancy or child bearing age/ young children) and to create equal opportunities in research participation.
-‘They see us as an easy target’: discrimination and hate crime against Eastern European women living in the UK : https://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/id/eprint/17445/
-Community Buddies Programme Final Report : Link