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 (Please note that the networks are changing in nature and form, so please contact the named person directly):

1. Bedfordshire New Migration Partnership. Contact person: Robert Brady (new Chair July 2011) c/o Karlene Allen (outgoing Chair), email:  karlene.allen@bedfordshire.nhs.uk
2. Cambridgeshire Migrant Workers & Asylum Seekers and Refugees Network. Contact person: Stephen Vartoukian (Chair). Tel: 01223717031. Email: Stephen.vartoukian@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
3. Fenland Diverse Communities Forum. Contact person: David Bailey (Chair). Tel: 01354 622566. Email: dbailey@fenland.gov.uk
4. GYROS-Great Yarmouth Multi-Agency Forum. Contact person: David Nettleship (Chair). Tel: 01493745260.
5. 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
6. Luton New Migration Partnership. Contact person: Jane Perry (Chair). Tel: 01582 589084. Email: jperry@redcross.org.uk
7. Norwich Asylum-Seeker and Refugee Forum. Contact person: Sue Gee (Chair). Email: Sue.Gee@norfolk.gov.uk Tel: 01603729279
8. Peterborough Multi-Agency Forum for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Migrant Workers. Contact person: Andy Hewett (Chair)  ahewett@redcross.org.uk Admin support: Tracey Cook, tracey.cook@nhs.net Tel: 01733 310095
9. Suffolk Forum for Refugees, Asylum-Seekers and New and Emerging Communities. Contact person: Allison Coleman Tel: 01473 265160. Email: allison.coleman@suffolk.gov.uk
10. West Norfolk Diverse Community Forum Contact person: Marie Connell .Tel: 01553 760568. Email: marie@westnorfolkvca.org
11. Essex Migrant Worker MAF- Contact: Sandra Cullham (Chair), Email: sandra.culham@colchester.gov.uk
12. 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 or Neil.howard@norfolk.gov.uk
    
    Regional Meeting Dates

Date Time Group 5.12.2011   13:00-14:30 RG (recommended for MACF members with interest in refugee/asylum issues) 5.12.2011   15:00-16:30 MWSG ((recommended for MACF members with interest in migrant worker issues)

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 2010/2011
MAF& Date	Jan 2011	Feb 2011	Mar 2011	Apr 2011	May 2011	Jun 2011	Jul 2011	Aug 2011	Sep 2011	Oct 2011	Nov 2011	Dec 2011
Regional MAF Chairs’ Forum (MACF) & MWSG (Migrant Worker Steering Group)		7			3				5			5
Bedfordshire MAF		10			12				1			1
Cambridgeshire MAF										10
Fenland MAF	11	Broad diverse group now meets twice a year & with additional 4 core group meetings
Norwich MAF	11		8		10		12		13		8
Great Yarmouth MAF	10	7	7	4	2	6	4	1	5	3	7	5
Hertfordshire MAF	5		16				21			19
Luton MAF			22		31		19		6		8
Peterborough MAF		14		11		13		16		10
Suffolk MAF			22			9			21			8
West Norfolk MAF	27
Essex MW MAF			14			15			14
SSL/NRPF Meetings	26			20			27			26
Norfolk County Community Cohesion Strategic Group	This group meets at County Council level with links to the Norfolk based fora. A staff of the NCC diversity team attends the regional MACF meetings.

Partnership Development Project of MENTER