What is a Multi-Agency Forum (MAF)? A Multi-Agency Forum (MAF) could simply be described as a round-table that brings together a variety of statutory, voluntary and community organisations to discuss asylum seeker, refugee and migrant worker issues. As Multi-Agency Fora mainly focus on local issues, they essentially feature local representation. They may have no formal status, a relatively simple structure and little or no funding.
Multi-Agency Fora operate in many areas across the UK although they are not necessarily joined up into a national network of forums. However, they do often play a key role in developing stronger networks locally. Since 2006 however, most MAFs are now being taken over by local council diversity or housing teams, by coordinating MAF meetings, providing venue and chairing meetings.
Local MAFs in the East of England: Currently there are 11 functioning Multi-Agency Fora across the East of England. The MAFs are linked through a regional network (click link here to page on Regional MAF)
Contacts for the local MAF area are as follows:
- Bedfordshire New Migration Partnership. Contact person: Karlene Allen (Chair), email: karlene.allen@bedfordshire.nhs.uk
- Cambridgeshire Migrant Workers & Asylum Seekers and Refugees Network. Contact person: Stephen Vartoukian (Chair). Tel: 01223717031. Email: Stephen.vartoukian@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
- Fenland Diverse Communities Forum. Contact person: David Bailey (Chair). Tel: 01354 622566. Email: dbailey@fenland.gov.uk
- GYROS-Great Yarmouth Multi-Agency Forum. Contact person: Des McKeating (Chair). Tel: 01493745260. Email: desmckeating@gyros.org.uk
- Hertfordshire Migration Partnership. Contact person: Mark Mitchell (Chair). Tel:01442 253935 . Email: mark@communityactiondacorum.org.uk . Vice Chair: Andrew Burt. Email: andrew.burt@hertscc.gov.uk
- Luton New Migration Partnership. Contact person: Richard Collyer (Chair). Tel: 01582 589081. Email: rcollyer@redcross.org.uk . Vice Chair: Les Clifford les.clifford@refugeecouncil.org.uk
- Norwich Asylum-Seeker and Refugee Forum. Contact person: Sue Gee (Chair). Email: Sue.Gee@norfolk.gov.uk Tel: 01603729279
- Peterborough Multi-Agency Forum for Asylum Seekers, refugees and Migrant Workers. Contact person: Leonie McCarthy (Chair), leonie.mccarthy@peterborough.gov.uk. Admin Support: Pam Manning, pam.manning@peterborough.gov.uk Tel: 01733 742806
- Suffolk Forum for Refugees, Asylum-Seekers and New and Emerging Communities. Contact person: Sue Burstall, sue.burstall@suffolk.gov.uk - or Allison Coleman, Tel: 01473 265160. Email: allison.coleman@suffolk.gov.uk
- West Norfolk Diverse Community Forum Contact person: Marie Connell .Tel: 01553 760568. Email: marie@westnorfolkvca.org
Essex Migrant Worker MAF- Contact: Sandra Cullham (Chair), Email: sandra.culham@colchester.gov.uk - Norfolk Migrant Worker Partnership (role assumed by the Norfolk County Council Cohesion Strategic group which has links with other Norfolk based MAFs). Contact person: Jo Richardson. Tel: 01603 223 816. Email: Jo.richardson@norfolk.gov.uk
Multi-Agency Forums Meeting Diary 2009/2010
Acronyms: MAF= Multi-Agency Forum, ASR= Asylum Seekers & Refugees, MW= Migrant Worker, NEC= New & emerging communities
|
Multi Agency Forums (MAF) in the East of England meeting dates for 2009/2010 |
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|
MAF& Date |
Jan 10 |
Feb 10 |
Mar 10 |
Apr 10 |
May 10 |
Jun 10 |
Jul 10 |
Aug 10 |
Sep 10 |
Oct 10 |
Nov 10 |
Dec 10 |
|
Regional MAF Chairs’ Forum |
|
15 |
|
12 |
|
|
12 |
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
Bedfordshire MAF |
26 |
|
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
7 |
|
18 |
|
|
Cambridgeshire MAF |
|
|
3 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
8 |
|
|
8 |
|
Fenland MAF |
|
16 |
|
|
27 |
|
|
17 |
|
12 |
|
|
|
Norwich MAF |
12 |
9 |
9 |
13 |
11 |
8 |
13 |
|
14 |
12 |
9 |
14 |
|
Great Yarmouth MAF |
11 |
1 |
1 |
12 |
10 |
7 |
5 |
2 |
6 |
4 |
1 |
6 |
|
Hertfordshire MAF |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
7 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
Luton MAF |
|
9 |
|
|
4 |
|
27 |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
Peterborough MAF |
|
1 |
|
6 |
|
7 |
|
2 |
|
4 |
|
6 |
|
Suffolk MAF |
|
|
|
11 |
|
22 |
|
|
29 |
|
|
14 |
|
West Norfolk MAF |
|
2 |
|
8 |
|
|
22 |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
Essex MW MAF |
|
|
15 |
|
|
14 |
|
|
13 |
|
|
13 |
|
Norfolk County Community Cohesion Strategic Group |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SSL/NRPF Meetings |
20 |
|
|
21 |
|
|
21 |
|
|
20 |
|
|
Partnership Development Project of MENTER
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
