GMCA1982 Safe Transitions - New Community Guidance

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) intends to commission the Safe Transitions: New Community Guidance Project, designed to improve access to information, strengthen integration outcomes and reduce the risk of homelessness among newly granted refugees and other migrant communities across Greater Manchester. Greater Manchester currently hosts over 8,500 people living in asylum support accommodation (June 2025).

Evidence indicates that people with asylum backgrounds are disproportionately represented within homelessness and rough sleeping services, often due to limited understanding of UK systems, fragmented transition support and barriers to accessing housing, welfare and local services. The proposed service will focus on three key areas of delivery.

Accessible Guidance Resources Development of accessible, multilingual guidance resources in a range of formats, including written materials and multimedia content, covering rights, entitlements, healthcare, housing, public services and everyday life in Greater Manchester. Information Briefings and Early Support Delivery of regular information briefings within asylum accommodation and community settings to improve preparedness, wellbeing and engagement with support services.

System Engagement and Partnership Development Collaborative work with local authorities, statutory agencies, VCFSE, and other partners to promote the guidance resources, support consistent messaging and strengthen support pathways for new residents. The project aims to prevent homelessness, reduce pressure on public services, support independence and inclusion, and improve the consistency and accessibility of information available to refugees and other forced migrant communities.

Delivery is expected to be trauma-informed, culturally competent, person-centred and shaped by lived experience. Total contract value is £307,691.66, with delivery running from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2029.