About Us
The Borders Housing Network developed the Migrant Support Service, which helps to integrate migrants who wish to work and live in the Scottish Borders. Waverley Housing on behalf of the Borders Housing Network has, with funding support from Awards for All, developed this web site, which contains a range of useful information about living or working in the Scottish Borders. While the site is in English, it also has 3 PDF documents containing much of the information contained on the site in English but also translated into Portuguese, Polish or Russian. These documents were kindly published in 2008 by Scottish Borders Council.
What is the Migrant Support Service?
The Scottish Borders Migrant Support Service is based in Eildon Housing and provides help and information directly to migrants living and working in the Scottish Borders. It works closely with partner bodies including Scottish Borders Council, NHS Borders, Lothian and Borders Police, the Borders Housing Network, Borders College, Skills Development Agency, Job Centre Plus, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Borders Chambers of Commerce, Citizens Advice Bureaux, Borders Equality Forum and the voluntary sector.
When and where can you see me?
We can arrange to meet at a time and place that is convenient to you. The first meeting has to be arranged in a public place for safety reasons e.g. a private room in the library or local health centre.
Meetings are available by appointment only.
What kind of Support is provided?
Or job is to:
- Listen to you
- Safeguard your rights
- Respect your wishes and privacy
- Get answers to your questions, if possible
- Put you in touch with others that can help
With your consent we can refer you to other relevant agencies that:
- Give advice about employment and where you can get help to get a job
- Provide healthcare in your area
- Provide housing
- Help with managing money, financial issues and debts
- Give information on your rights and responsibilities
- Provide interpreters
- Provide information on education
- Offer English classes
You may not get the answer you want but we will make every effort to make sure your voice is heard, you are treated fairly and with respect.
I am not sure if you can help me.
We are here to listen and talk with you in private about any of your concerns. The service is confidential.
The strong presumption of confidentiality may be overridden if there are child protection issues or other serious allegations.
If you have doubts contact us and we will be happy to discuss them.
We want to help you make informed decisions and provide you with support to deal with your issues on your own.
My English is not good, can you help?
Many people who arrive in the Scottish Borders might not speak English fluently. We can arrange for an interpreter when the Migrant Support Worker meets you to make sure you are able to discuss your issues in your native language.
The Migrant Support Worker will not normally act as an interpreter for other agencies or cannot be used for everyday communication by clients.
How can I get help from the Service?
You or someone on your behalf (with your consent) can send an email or call the Migrant Support Worker, Monday to Friday, to arrange a meeting.
We will aim to call you back as soon as possible and if required arrange a meeting within 5 working days.
This is not a 24 hour emergency service.
For more information contact:
Magda Wojcicka
Migrant Support Service
The Weaving Shed
Ettrick Mill
SELKIRK
TD7 5EB
Direct Dial No: 01750 724 077
Email: migrantsupport@eildon.org,uk
Web: http://www.newtotheborders.co.uk/
Disclaimer
The New to Borders website is an important part of our work in providing information to migrants who wish to work and live in the Scottish Borders. As part of that work our website hosts data from different organisations that might be able to help better inform migrants. The contents supplied by organisations for publication on this site are the sole responsibility of the provider and should not be taken as endorsement of any kind.
The Borders Housing Network takes no responsibility for the content of external websites linked from newtoborders.co.uk. Links to other sites should not be taken as endorsement of any kind.
The New to Borders website reserves the right to omit or edit the whole or any part of material submitted for publication.