A warm Mancunian welcome to all my listeners. Presenting Season 6, Episode 5 of the #MeettheMancunian #podcast #mancunian #manchester #refugees #asylumseekers #community #socialimpact #nonprofit #blackhistorymonth. I'm Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe, your friendly host. In the fifth episode, the Meet the Mancunian podcast talks to Magdalen Bartlett [https://www.linkedin.com/in/magdalenbartlett/], Founder and CEO, Afrocats [https://www.afrocats.org.uk/]about helping refugees and asylum seekers integrate into the Manchester community. She talks about their two programmes Natives of the World targeting adults and Youth of the World targeting young people. Magdalen shares Afrocat's vision of creating a robust and more inclusive social environment for adults seeking sanctuary and diverse young people. Afrocats works closely with the community and creates inspiring experiences and opportunities in Manchester including dance, canal walks and festivals. Did you know: · In March 2023, there were a total of 18,176 asylum seekers supported in the North West. · This episode is being released ahead of Black History Month. 2023's Black History Month theme, Saluting Our Sisters, pays homage to black women who had contributions ignored, ideas appropriated, and voices silenced. Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript: 00:03:21 sharing her passion for supporting refugees 00:04:22 introducing Afrocats 00:06:31 some of the challenges she had to overcome 00:08:15 the impact she has made 00:13:34 advice for other organisations looking to help refugees and asylum seekers Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk [http://www.meetthemancunian.co.uk/]