Ensemble Manchester is a co-operative enterprise founded by people from diverse refugee and local communities in North Manchester. Ensemble offers services in catering, wellbeing, volunteering and employment support. We work in partnership with various agencies across the city.
Ensemble operates primarily in Miles Platting and Newton Heath, areas of north Manchester with high levels of poverty, unemployment and poor health. Many refugees from Africa and elsewhere have found homes in these areas, particularly since 2001. Ensemble provides opportunities for both new and existing communities to work together towards improved well-being and economic independence. Learning, skill sharing and food are all at the centre of all our work.
In 2006, there was a homework club at Miles Platting library which was closing due to lack of workers. Melanie Ngangen offered to volunteer in order to keep it going, this led to setting up Migrant Womens Action now Ensemble. Support came from Manchester supplementary School Network, Zest, Sure start, Family Action and Manchester Refugee Support Network providing food and activities for children. Then Manchester City Council services started supporting.
The Migrant Womens Action then received funding from Manchester city council change grant to set up, the Local Network Fund for children for the provision of French classes for children and the community Network for Manchester to deliver training in French Methodology to volunteer parents
How did the name Ensemble came up?
The name Ensemble came out of the desire of migrant and indigenous parents to develop their children’s abilities in French. French African mothers also wanted their sons and daughters to have a safe space where they could learn about and express their culture. The migrant aspect of the MWA’s name implied exclusivity so both parties agreed to the name Ensemble as this name captures the group’s spirit of unity.
Our mission
is to Support individuals and communities at risk of exclusion, by providing them with a non-judgemental and family friendly learning environment; An environment that takes into account their specific needs and provide them with opportunities to flourish and become productive members of their localities.
Through our various programs of empowerment we will always ensure a member centred approach, supported by a constantly monitored an evaluated quality assurance system designed in a culturally appropriate way
