Fife International Centre

Our Vision: To ensure that Fife is a place where both migrants and local people can celebrate their diversity in a welcoming and safe environment, as well as alleviate the poverty that many migrants experience.

In 2010, the Fife Migrants Forum (FMF) was founded by ethnic minority groups who recently arrived in Fife. FMF continues to take great pride in its effective ‘United Nations of Volunteers’ approach, which is a central tenet of FMF’s philosophy. Volunteers and workers at FMF come from various destinations such as  Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, Romania, Poland, Italy, Bulgaria, and Morocco. Upon their arrival in Fife, the various ethnic minorities recognised the benefits of co-operation and, therefore, worked together to respond to the needs of Fife’s various ethnic groups, like information, advice, and support services concerning language and culture.

Over the years, however, FMF’s multiple aims have evolved and expanded. Now, the organisation aims to promote good community relations, provide and develop mutual support, encourage social integration and increase participation in public, economic, social, and cultural events.

Fife Migrants Forum takes great pride in its ‘United Nations of Volunteers’ approach, which has been instrumental in unifying Fife’s various ethnic communities. This page will give you an insight into who would be the most suitable advisor to book an appointment with.

Supporting and listening to migrant farm workers in Scotland

In March 2020, FLEX (FLEX is the only organisation in the UK looking at the risk of exploitation in the UK future migration framework and future labour market) and Fife Migrants’ Forum started a new piece of work together to understand and document the experiences of migrant agricultural workers in Angus, Fife, Kincardineshire, and Perthshire. This work builds on FLEX’s previous work to understand the possible risks of the UK Government’s ‘seasonal workers pilot’ in agriculture.

Together FLEX and Fife Migrants’ Forum will work to assess the risks of worker abuse and exploitation posed by the ‘seasonal workers pilot’ immigration scheme and will deliver practical tools to help workers to protect themselves in the workplace. This work will increase worker access to information and help those who are facing abuse or exploitation to reach support services early.

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The partnership between FLEX and Fife Migrants’ Forum will not only serve to support migrant workers on British farms, but will also provide vital information to inform the Scottish Government’s future policy on what fair work for migrant workers in Scotland after Brexit should look like.

Scottish Government, in partnership with the charities Focus on Labour Exploitation, Fife Migrants Forum and JustRight Scotland; published guidance for seasonal migrant workers coming to Scotland to work in the soft fruit sector. 

The guidance, available in Romanian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and Russian, informs workers about how to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 transmission, the importance of complying with physical distancing measures, how to access testing and health services, and also provides information about their rights and support whilst in Scotland.   

The guidance will be available to download here:  https://www.sasa.gov.uk/covid-19-guidance

It will also be distributed by Scottish Government to workers directly, through growers’ co-operatives and farms.

Settled and Pre-Settled Status for EU Citizens and their families

In 2019 the Home Office has granted Fife Migrants Forum funding to support vulnerable EU migrants in applying for the EU Settlement Scheme.

Fife Migrants Forum can help you understand the Settlement Scheme and what you need to do to ensure that your rights are protected and you can continue living in the UK after it leaves the EU. Everyone who wants to stay in UK after Brexit needs to apply before 30th of June 2021 or risk losing their right to live, work, study, and access services in the UK.

 Our support is free of charge and we can assist you at any stage of your application.

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How are we helping now?

Currently, our drop-in sessions are suspended in order to protect the health of both our clients and staff, but our dedicated EUSS team is available by email and telephone. We offer services in English, Polish, Romanian, French and many more.  Simply get in touch and ask for help in your language. Our trained caseworkers will be able to support you in your application or refer you to an appropriate organisation if your individual case needs to be seen by a Level 2 or 3 advisor.

Conversational Café – it’s one of our popular projects. At  the moment Café’s meeting happening online on Zoom and gathering people from different parts of Fife and Europe. It’s free to join and it’s taking only an hour. Our Café’s Leaders taking care of smoothly and happy conversations and you can learn  something new each time . This is a great way to improve your English language and meet some friends at the same time.

Don’t wait any longer, join us!

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Sole Sister project is a walking initiative which aims to get more women active.

From the beginning when we have started healthy walks, we were increasing awareness about fitness and healthy lifestyle. We also communicated that short or/and long walking is the easiest and low-cost way to stay healthy. Together with walk Leaders we tried to increase the number of people to be physically more active and we are happy that we achieved this outcome.

Our group consists of women from different nationalities: Poland, Portugal, France, Brazil, China, Italy, Lithuania, Scotland…

Its not only about walking but also people built a strong relation to each other. On Saturday, after the walk they have a conversational café in the International Centre, where they can practice their English and have a cup of coffee.

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Previous Events

JOBS FAIR – Friday 16th November, 10am – 2.30pm

FIND YOURSELF A JOB
When – Next Friday, 16 November, 10am – 2.30pm
Where – Fife Migrants Forum, International Centre, 4 The Postings Shopping Centre, Hunter Street, Kirkcaldy, KY1 1HN

– Do you want a job?
– Do you want a Christmas job?
– Do you want to start a career?

Here is your opportunity at our Job Fair.

Next Friday, we are giving our clients the chance to meet and talk with local Fife organizations that give migrants the chance to work. Come and along to meet and chat with some interesting people and discover what opportunities are out there for you!

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the page or the organisation’s email address: info@fifemigrantsforum.org.uk

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UNDERSTANDING BREXIT – Saturday 27th October at 11am

Fife Migrants Forum Have organised an event which will take place in the Town House, Kirkcaldy (the Council office across the road from the Bus Station) on Saturday 27th October at 11am to make people aware of their rights after BREXIT. We have engaged a lawyer from Just Right Scotland who is an expert in European Law and who will answer all your questions. 
This may be your final opportunity to have all your questions answered regarding your rights after BREXIT.
ALSO, WE HAVE LOTS OF FREE STUFF FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION TO GIVE AWAY ON THE DAY.

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CONVERSATIONAL CAFÉS

Kirkcaldy Conversational Café: Friday and Saturday 11 am at the Fife International Centre, Postings Shopping Centre, Hunter Street, KY1 1HN.

Glenrothes Conversational Café: Saturday 2-3:30 pm at St. Pauls RC Church, Warout Road, KY7 4ER.

Rosyth Conversational Café: Tuesday 9:30 am and Wednesday 6:30 pm at Rosyth Community Hub, 8 Aberlour Street, KY11 2RD. 

We provide excellent opportunities for integration and employment through volunteering with people from all different ethnic minority backgrounds.

Volunteer with us to make a difference to your local community, meet fantastic people, learn new skills, be part of an initiative that is quickly becoming successful, and help others arriving into the area.

We offer volunteers the following opportunities:
Professional training
Experience of supporting clients who face barriers in accessing services
Experience of working in a multicultural team
To develop excellent communication skills in both languages (English and mother tongue)
Job reference for any future employment applications
Coaching and mentoring from more experienced colleagues and access to a network of different professionals
The chance to gain a proven track record of voluntary work
Recognition for being a member of an organisation that is recognised locally, nationally, and internationally
Opportunity for further personal development

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For more information please see our contact details below.