A project giving asylum seekers and refugees the chance to volunteer in Manchester workplaces has been extended until 2008
The Horizons project, run by Refugee Action, was due to end in January but received an award from the Government's GoldStar programme, aimed at organisations seeking to increase the number of volunteers from black and minority ethnic groups or the socially excluded.
Horizons have placed 360 asylum seekers and refugees in voluntary work in Manchester and Salford since it started in September 2003, with 100 people active at any one time.
Registered organisations include hospitals, charities such as help the Aged and the Imperial War Museum.
"We are delighted to be able to continue this vital service" said Horizons Manager Tim Hilton.
"Asylum Seekers are not allowed to work and are often desperate to use their skills and make a contribution to the community while they await an outcome on their applications. "Refugees can also have difficulty finding their first job and experience of a British workplace is invaluable.
"We get great feedback from the organisations that take on our volunteers. As a GoldStar project. Horizons is now recognized as a beacon of best practice in Volunteering with disadvantaged groups and we are working with other organisations to promote our work and give advice and training".
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