Together-Razem is a migrant led organization which provides support services and advocates on behalf of Polish and Eastern European migrants in Ireland. We are a registered charity that was established in Cork in 2006. In 2018 we expanded our remit to a national level.
Our mission is to promote integration and equality, reduce marginalization, and improve the quality of life, and self-reliance of Eastern European migrants in Ireland. Promoting recognition of the value of migrants as an asset to Irish life and society is key to our work.
We focus on five key areas of empowerment:
- Supporting Self-Reliance - through information provision and case work, one-to-one and group information services, online webinars, and individual consultation on welfare, employment, social and legal issues;
- Building Well-Being - through Mental Health support– free or low cost psychotherapy and addiction counselling in native languages: Polish, Russian, Romanian (English also available)
- Education for Integration - language education – free or low cost English language courses for adults, and Polish language classes for primary school age children;
- Fostering integration – we organise regular intercultural events to facilitate social interaction, and we promote Polish and Eastern European culture amongst the wider society;
- Promoting participation and value of migrants - through advocacy and campaigning - we foster partnerships with key stakeholders to advocate for proactive promotion and protection of migrant rights, and the recognition of migrants as key contributors to society. We campaign on issues related to integration and anti-racism. We represent the voices of Polish and Eastern European migrants at local, regional and national level.
As of 7th September 2022 50 000 Ukrainians have sought shelter in Ireland. Currently (14/9/22) refugees from Ukraine are entering the country at a rate of over 1000 per week. It is expected, if inward migration continues at the current rate, that there will be 80,000 Ukrainians resident in Ireland by May 2023.
Irish government agencies and NGOs are providing a range of emergency responses to Ukrainian refugees - these have primarily focused on accommodation, social welfare and health provision via the statutory sector. The state response is being supported by strong voluntary and community sector efforts to resettle arriving refugees.
However, due to the unexpected outbreak of the war and low preparedness in receiving countries, the sudden arrival of large numbers of refugees with both specific and divergent presenting needs, most of whom have low or no English language skills, has created a massive need for integration support and highlighted numerous gaps in provision.
