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 Multi-Agency Forum for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Migrant Workers. Contact person: Stephanie Bennett (Chair) 07966598293 email: Stephanie.bennett@bedfordshirepct.nhs.uk or Lindsay Mitton (rep). Tel: 01234276918. Email:Lindsay.Mitton@bedscc.gov.uk
- Cambridgeshire Migrant Workers & Asylum Seekers and Refugees Network. Contact person: Stephen Vartoukian. Tel: 01223717031. Email: Stephen.vartoukian@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
- Fenland Diverse Communities Forum. Contact person: David Bailey. Tel: 01354 622566. Email:dbailey@fenland.gov.uk
- GYROS-Great Yarmouth Multi-Agency Forum. Contact person: Des McKeating. Tel: 01493745260. Email:desmckeating@gyros.org.uk
- Hertfordshire Migrant Worker Multi-Agency Forum. Contact person: Valdis Belinis. Tel: 01992531605. Email:Valdis.belinis@eastherts.gov.uk
- Luton Multi-Agency Asylum Forum. Contact person: Paul Wiltshire. Tel: 01582 547188. Email: Paul.Wiltshire@luton.gov.uk
- Norwich Asylum-Seeker and Refugee Forum. Contact person: Sue Gee. Tel: Email:Sue.Gee@norfolk.gov.uk Tel: 01603729279
- Peterborough Multi-Agency Forum for Asylum Seekers, refugees and Migrant Workers. Contact person: Andy Hewett. Tel: Email:ahewett@redcross.org.uk Tel: 01733557472
- Suffolk Forum for Refugees, Asylum-Seekers and New and Emerging Communities. Contact person: Allison Coleman. Tel: 01473 265160. Email: Allison.coleman@csu.suffolkcc.gov.uk
- West Norfolk Diverse Community Forum Contact person: Daisy Line. Tel: 01553 760568. Email:daisy@westnorfolkvca.org
- Norfolk Migrant Worker Partnership. Contact person: Jo Richardson. Tel: 01603 223 816. Email: Jo.richardson@norfolk.gov.uk
Multi-Agency Forums Meeting Diary 2008
Acronyms: MAF= Multi-Agency Forum, ASR= Asylum Seekers & Refugees, MW= Migrant Worker, NEC= New & emerging communities
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Multi Agency Forums (MAF) in the East of England meeting dates for 2008 |
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|
MAF& Date |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Regional MAF Chairs’ Forum |
14
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
14
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
Bedford New & Emerging MAF |
21
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
Cambridgeshire, MAF |
|
18 |
|
16 |
|
|
16 |
|
10 |
|
|
10 |
|
Fenland MAF |
|
26
|
|
16 |
|
11 |
|
|
18 |
|
12 |
|
|
Norwich MAF |
8
|
12 |
11 |
8 |
13 |
10 |
8 |
|
9 |
14 |
11 |
9 |
|
Great Yarmouth |
7
|
4
|
3
|
7
|
12
|
2
|
7
|
4
|
1
|
6
|
3
|
1 |
|
Hertfordshire MAF |
|
15 |
|
|
9 |
|
24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Luton MAF |
24
|
|
27 |
|
29 |
|
24 |
|
25 |
|
27 |
|
|
Peterborough MAF |
24
|
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Suffolk- ASR & MW MAF |
|
26 |
|
|
8 |
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
West Norfolk MAF |
23 |
|
11 |
|
14 |
|
15 |
|
17 |
|
11 |
|
|
Norfolk County MW Partnership |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Partnership Development Project of MENTER
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
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