The projects we are currently involved in:
Mum’s Club- Newcastle and North Tyneside.
Working with the Polish Saturday School in Newcastle (NEEMC) (https://www.schoolofpolishnewcastle.co.uk/en/), we will establish weekly (term time) meetings for women and their children, which will include creative sessions (e.g., arts and crafts), targeting at least 50 women and 35 children, and enabling the women to become more included/less socially isolated. They will take place when older children are attending supplementary Polish language education at the SPLC, to increase attendance. While the sessions will be aimed at Polish women, any women living in the local area will be welcome. The sessions will normally last 2 hours. NEEMC builds on the activities of the ICOS Mum’s Club- part of ICOS Women, which was developed by a local mum from the Eastern European (EE) community, who now leads Sunderland sessions as a facilitator, and will lead NEEMC. She will be supported by SPLC’s Community Facilitator, who will connect the women to the project (and take lead on advertising it, e.g., through social media, posters, talking to the mum’s), and oversee the work, being responsible for finance, the venue. ICOS’s Community Development Officer will share learning from the Sunderland-based group, and provide support with issues such as risk assessment/safeguarding, as well as one-to-one support (e.g., with domestic abuse or hate crime). The project will provide a safe and supportive space for EE women and their children, bringing them together, and helping them to reach their potential through a range of sessions, such as:
-Seasonal arts and crafts- e.g., using leafs/acorns to create autumn– themed art, or Christmas decoration making.
-Themed activities, e.g. local heritage and local history- e.g., trips to a local gallery.
-Workshops delivered by women from the group themselves, e.g., print making/stone painting/macramé.
The project is led by the NEEMC.
We are grateful for the National Lottery Community Fund for their funding.
Leeds Building Society project- housing support (2025- 2028)
This project will provide individual advice/advocacy with housing applications (and meeting the criteria/banding) to at least 90 migrant people affected by homelessness, focusing on refugees who been granted refugee status, who often have no accommodation available, and a very short time before having to move out of Home Office accommodation (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68927101). This is an issue which we deal with frequently, but we do not have sufficient resources to provide enough support to clients, hence we are asking for dedicated funding. We will provide to make an application for housing, change a housing band, and increase their income- e.g., through applying for the right benefits, and the right immigration status- ICOS is now registered with OISC (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-of-theimmigration-servicescommissioner). The project worker will also provide support with gathering necessary evidence to apply for housing, or update the banding (will be supported by the community development officer when working with especially difficult cases). Clients will receive 20-25 hours of support. The project will lead to migrants being able to access safe and appropriate housing, which in turn will lead to improvements in their wellbeing.
We will provide intensive, holistic support to migrant people in Sunderland, focused on achieving a safe and secure home for them and their families. It will focus on: -Making sure that migrant people are able to rent- e.g., through improving their financial situation (applying for benefits, clients will also be supported to access employment opportunities- ICOS has separate project and clients could be internally referred to them. We will also support clients with their immigration status and proving their right to rent. Cases beyond the scope of our regulation will be referred to other organisations, such as the North East Law Centre. -Helping migrant people to access and navigate the application process, removing obstacles such as language barriers, or IT barriers- including lack of IT skills, but also lack of an internet connection or an appropriate device. Lack of familiarity with -Ensuring that homes/flats migrants live in are fit for habitation, e.g., through liaison with council services, landlords- including social landlords, and with external organisations to enable clients to access free support.
We are grateful to the Leeds Building Society for their funding!
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.
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.
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
–Breaking down language barriers
The ICOS Mum’s Club (2025-2026) will enable to reduce the social isolation of Eastern European and other migrant women and children through regular and one-off, larger activities.
It will include the delivery of 14 events and sessions, including 3 larger events aimed at improving wellbeing of mothers and children through creative activities and workshops benefitting at least 50 women and 30 children. The project will focus on EE women, but no women will be excluded to encourage integration, community cohesion and understanding. The project will provide an opportunity for women to meet other mothers in their local area and for children to integrate with other children from different backgrounds and cultures.
The three larger events will be aimed at women and children (especially female volunteers) but whole families will be invited to participate. The three events will include Christmas Event, Halloween Event and a Carnival Event – these will focus on themed creative and arts and craft activities.
We will deliver creative activities which focus on improving skills, improving social isolation and wellbeing. These workshops will take place at St Michaela’s Community Centre, and will include flower arrangement workshops, painting sessions, creative cooking sessions, sewing and working with natural materials such as plants, flowers and herbs to create art.
We will work with arts and creative partners, as well as local artists.
All events and activities will be supported by the ICOS Women Project Steering Group which currently has 12 members, meets on a monthly basis to discuss project accessibility, needs and priorities of beneficiaries, planning and delivery of events. The women involved in the PSG are dedicated to volunteering for the project and support with the delivery of activities and workshops for other mothers and children from migrant communities living in Sunderland and surrounding areas. The PSG members have a variety of skills and experience and they have been supported to take part in training including Health Champions (https://www.linksforlifesunderland.co.uk/services/get-involved/sunderland-health-champions/), Domestic Abuse Awareness delivered by Wearside Women in Need, Level 1 teaching assistant academy, Level 2 Food safety and Leadership courses. Additionally, to the PSG group the project will recruit at least 8 new volunteers.
The delivery of this project will continue to strengthen opportunities for Eastern European women in terms of volunteering and being involved with their local community, providing a safe space for mothers and children (including very isolated mothers or those who have experienced domestic abuse). And it will allow women to be able to create new connections, improve their wellbeing, skills and reduce social isolation through regular volunteering and meetings, allowing participants to build connections, foster friendships and a sense of belonging.
We are grateful to Creative Lives, who have generously funded this project!
We’re proud to be funded by the City & Guilds Foundation to deliver our Employability Programme for 2025–2026, empowering migrant communities in Sunderland—including refugees—to access meaningful work and training opportunities.
Our approach is personalised and barrier-breaking. We provide one-to-one, tailored support to help each participant identify and overcome the obstacles preventing them from moving forward—whether that’s lack of confidence, limited experience, or gaps in skills.
Through this programme, we will:
Guide job searches more effectively – helping people present their skills and experience in ways that attract employers.
Boost skills and employability – supporting participants to upskill, gain qualifications and make their profiles stronger.
Create clear progression routes – working hand-in-hand with partner organisations to open up training, work placements and sustainable employment pathways.
We also tackle the practical barriers that so often stand in the way of progress. This can include covering essential costs such as travel to interviews or appropriate work clothing, as well as referrals to wellbeing and specialist support services to address issues indirectly affecting employability.
Thanks to our deep community links—including our role within the Sunderland Black and Minority Ethnic Network and close collaboration with organisations like FODI—we’re able to reach those who might otherwise miss out. Many of our staff and board members are former clients themselves, making us a trusted bridge between communities and opportunity.
Finally, we’re committed to listening and co-creating. Our responsive model ensures every new referral is contacted within 48 hours, and our Project Steering Group gives participants a real voice in shaping the programme.
Together with City & Guilds, we’re not just helping people find work—we’re building confidence, skills, and brighter futures.
We are thrilled to have been granted a Healthy Communities and Social Prescribing Grants Scheme 2025/26 grant by VONNE (Voluntary Organisations Network North East). We are one of only 6 applications, out of the total of 53 applicants which have been selected for this funding, which testifies to the quality of our work.
MHS will provide holistic, one-to-one support to clients who struggle to access services/opportunities online due to language barriers/lack of awareness, improving the health of least 100 migrant people through providing holistic advice/advocacy/casework and support with accessing benefits/essential services (including housing, registering with GP practices, schools) and rights, such as immigration status and regular wellbeing sessions.
The project will deliver measurable wellbeing benefits through advice and wellbeing sessions.
MHS will be run by staff members with lived migration experience (from countries such as Poland/Ghana/Nigeria); most of our board members are also migrants- some- former clients.
The project will focus on migrants experiencing exclusion from support networks, such as women affected by domestic abuse/refugees who have recently been granted status (they have very little time to find a new home
Advice/advocacy work will be complemented by biweekly wellbeing sessions (2-3 hours/session), with alternating sports/physical activities (e.g., wellbeing walks, tennis) and non-physical activities (e.g., arts and crafts). We already have links/partnerships with local organisations delivering wellbeing, e.g. MBC Arts (https://www.mbcartswellbeing.com/), as well as organisations whose clients can benefit, e.g. FODI (https://fodisunderland.org/).
At least 100 people will be supported.
We will also work closely with Voluntary and Community Action Sunderland (VCAS- https://vcas.org.uk/) to evaluate the project/share learning.
We are grateful to VONNE for their generous support, which will enable us to improve access to services (including health) of migrant communities, reduce their social isolation, and improve their health and financial wellbeing.
Our community cohesion work enables people from all walks of life to come together, meet one another, and enjoy a range of activities, including regular wellbeing sessions, such as ceramics, arts and crafts, as well as sports sessions and walks. Currently, this work is funded by the North East Mayoral Combined Authority, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, and the N Smith Charitable Settlement.
At least 40% of the participants will be from a White British background, 60% from black/minoritized backgrounds- including refugees, asylum seekers, Eastern European migrants, and international students/their families. These correspond with the recent demographic shift in Sunderland (ONS, 2022).
From our experience of delivering services in Sunderland dating back to 2009, we know that not enough spaces- physical and social exits which enable people from different communities to come together, get to know one another, and reduce intercultural issues/foster intercultural understanding. We are working to change this.
We are grateful to our funders for enabling us to deliver this vital work.
We are proud to introduce Human Factor, a new initiative designed to support migrants, asylum
seekers, refugees, and excluded communities in Sunderland and across the North East. This project
is generously funded by the Healthier and Fairer Programme through NHS North East and North
Cumbria, and we would like to express our sincere thanks for their support in making this work
possible.
Human Factor offers both one-to-one and group support, helping individuals for whom English is a
second language to develop digital skills, overcome barriers to inclusion, and access essential
services. With a strong focus on health, the project empowers participants to use digital tools—such
as the NHS App—to improve access to healthcare and enhance independence in everyday life.
By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:
- Open, set up, and manage their NHS App account.
- Book and attend online GP appointments.
- View and manage their health records digitally.
- Apply for prescription certificates.
- Contact the NHS Business Services Authority to correct inaccurate records.
- Access free mobile data through the Good Things Foundation’s National Databank.
Beyond digital skills and health access, Human Factor also provides holistic one-to-one support,
fostering community cohesion, advocacy, and safeguarding.
Thanks to our funders, this project not only strengthens digital inclusion but also builds confidence,
resilience, and stronger connections within our diverse communities.