Supporting RMC

We are an Ambassador School for the
Refugee and Migrant Centre!

Wolverhampton Grammar School has become an ambassador school for the Refugee and Migrant Centre. In doing so, our students at WGS have obtained access to work placements, fundraising opportunities and career guidance in humanitarian aid work.

What is the Refugee and Migrant Centre?
The Refugee and Migrant Centre (RMC) in Wolverhampton is an award-winning charity founded in 1999. It has expanded its services with offices in Wolverhampton, Walsall, Birmingham and Dudley, maximising support to its clients across the Black Country.

RMC is dedicated to supporting asylum seekers, refugees, and vulnerable migrants, helping them to integrate into society and achieve independence. Their team of highly qualified caseworkers and advisors offers free, impartial and confidential advice on various issues related to reception, settlement, integration and voluntary return. 
Their services encompass several key areas:

• Housing and homelessness support
• Financial independence and guidance
• Employment and education support
• Health services access

How is WGS supporting this organisation?

Wolverhampton Grammar School has a very active Charity Club, comprised of students from all year groups who want to make a significant contribution to supporting people in need and those facing hardship. The Charity Club supports various charities each year, for which the students come together to plan and implement fundraising initiatives. This year, the students did an incredible job of collecting essentials for RMC clients. WGS families generously donated clothes, coats, hygiene products, stationary and nappies for service users.

How have WGS students benefitted from this collaboration?

The Charity Club have enjoyed learning about this vital organisation. They were visited by staff members from RMC who conducted an insightful presentation on the support and services offered by the organisation. It was our privilege to hear from Mirza, a current volunteer for RMC. Once a Lawyer in his home country, Mirza found himself migrating to the UK to escape political territorial conflict. His key message was “Fight for humanity, fight for the betterment of this world.”

In addition, students wanting to progress into a career in law, politics, or humanitarian aid have enjoyed partaking in work experience placements, shadowing case workers, advisors and meeting service users.

Esha Puri, Upper Sixth student and aspirant lawyer who recently completed a placement at RMC said:

“I was provided a valuable insight into the hardships of immigration and how clients experience an extreme transition between their home countries and adjusting to British life. I was able to see the struggles associated with language barriers and securing the correct documentation. It was saddening to see the impact this has on service users finding employment and integrating into society. This has provided me with an even deeper appreciation of how law and policy can be a barrier or gateway for improving the quality of life for service users.”