International Care Network (ICN)

ICN helps individuals and families who have left everything behind to find a safe place to live. ICN enables refugees and asylum seekers to integrate and settle in the UK by providing them with the skills, support and advice they need when they initially arrive and then settle.

Our vision is that each asylum seeker and refugee will receive a compassionate welcome and informed help when rebuilding their lives out of their suffering; being safeguarded, empowered and finding community to thrive in.

We have a video on our homepage that gives an overview of our charity: www.icn.org.uk

Registered Charity Number: 1099400.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Our beneficiaries tell us that a key aspect to integrating into UK society is their ability to speak English. This is essential for them to settle well. A lack of ability to speak English often leads to increased challenges including health and education issues, as well as having a negative impact on their overall social and emotional wellbeing.

Being able to speak English helps refugees and asylum seekers integrate into the community. From accessing work and volunteering opportunities to building relationships with their neighbours, ESOL learning helps overcome isolation and enables migrants to begin to improve their lives.

ICN runs ESOL courses from Entry level to Level 1. The levels are:

Entry 1: Beginner

Entry 2: Elementary

Entry 3: Pre-intermediate

Level 1: Intermediate

ICN combines ESOL delivery in the community with the provision of a creche. This is a crucial and unique component of our ESOL delivery as it means that asylum seeker and refugee women with young children are able to bring their children to the ESOL venue and have their child supervised whilst they attend the class.

In recent months we have been relying on volunteers to cover some aspects of our ESOL delivery. However, with ESOL classes increasing again following the Covid-19 pandemic, relying on volunteers is no longer a sustainable solution.

ICN aim to raise £30,000 by 30 September 2021 in order to ensure we have sufficient funds to employ the staff we need to manage and deliver ESOL classes, along with the provision of a creche for the next two years.

Donations small and large are welcome on JustGiving as we seek to raise £30,000. Your support will make a real difference to ensuring the continuity of this vital service for asylum seekers and refugees in Dorset.

Alternatively, if you would prefer to set up a monthly donation to support ICNs overall programmes, please visit: www.stewardship.org.uk/partners/20043525

Thank you for supporting asylum seekers and refugees in Dorset!