Skip to content

Minority Ethnic Support Ltd

Registered

  • Charity no. 111250
  • Company no. 740588
  • Date registered. 30/06/2026

Public benefits

Minority Ethnic Support Armagh advances community development, education, health and wellbeing, human rights, equality, and the relief of need among minority ethnic communities, including Roma, Traveller, migrant, asylum seeker, and refugee families. The direct benefits arising from these purposes include: Improved access to health, education,

housing, employment, social welfare, and other essential services through advice, advocacy, and family support. Increased confidence, knowledge, and skills, enabling individuals and families to participate more fully in community life and make informed decisions. Reduced social isolation through community development programmes, youth activities, women's programmes, cultural events, and befriending services. Improved physical and mental well-being through health promotion, early intervention, emotional support, and access to healthcare services. Greater educational attainment and engagement through tutoring, after-school support, parenting programmes, and English language classes. Increased awareness of rights and responsibilities, helping individuals challenge discrimination, racism, and inequality, and access appropriate remedies and support. Stronger community cohesion and improved race relations through cultural awareness activities, celebration of diversity, and the promotion of mutual understanding and respect. Relief of hardship experienced by individuals and families facing poverty, exclusion, ill-health, disability, language barriers or other disadvantages. These benefits contribute to a more inclusive, equitable and cohesive society in which minority ethnic communities are empowered, respected and able to participate fully in social, economic and civic life. The benefits are demonstrated through the collection and analysis of monitoring and evaluation data, including the number of beneficiaries supported, services delivered, and outcomes achieved. Evidence includes attendance records, case studies, beneficiary feedback, surveys, testimonials, referral data, and reports from partner organisations. We monitor improvements in access to health, education, housing, employment, and social welfare services, as well as increased participation in community activities, improved wellbeing, reduced isolation, and greater awareness of rights and entitlements. We also measure progress against project objectives and funding targets, using this information to assess impact and improve service delivery. The charity's work is further evidenced through partnerships with statutory, voluntary, and community organisations and through the positive outcomes achieved for minority ethnic individuals, families, and communities across the areas we serve. The charity’s beneficiaries are minority ethnic individuals and families living in Armagh and the wider Southern Trust and ABC Council areas. This includes Roma, Irish Traveller, migrant, asylum-seeking, and refugee communities, as well as other ethnic minority groups experiencing disadvantage, exclusion, or barriers to accessing services. Beneficiaries include children, young people, adults, and older people who require support with health, education, housing, welfare rights, employment, integration, language, and wellbeing needs. The organisation also benefits families and carers of those supported. It indirectly benefits the wider community through improved community cohesion, reduced inequality, and better access to services and opportunities for minority ethnic communities.

What your organisation does

MESA delivers a comprehensive programme of support and development activities aimed at addressing inequality and improving outcomes for marginalised communities such as Roma, Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Migrants. This includes family support services, providing one-to-one guidance, advocacy, and crisis intervention to help families navigate

complex systems such as health, education, housing, and social services. Through community development projects, MESA works alongside local people to identify needs, build skills, and support community-led initiatives such as Home Work Clubs, Women’s Wellness Groups, and English Classes that strengthen participation and resilience. Advocacy work is central to MESA’s approach, ensuring individuals and communities can access their rights, challenge discrimination, and have their voices heard in decision-making processes. The Safe Place initiative provides trusted, accessible spaces where individuals can seek support, feel safe, and be signposted to appropriate services. MESA delivers early years programmes focused on child development, school readiness, and parental support, helping to address disadvantage at the earliest stage. The organisation also facilitates cultural awareness and good relations events, bringing diverse communities together to promote understanding, reduce prejudice, and build positive relationships. Importantly, MESA inform and improve practice from the ground up, using lived experience and frontline insights to influence decision-makers, ensuring that services are responsive, inclusive, and equitable. This includes campaigning and delivering training and lectures to build cultural competence among professionals.

The charity’s classifications

  • The advancement of education
  • The advancement of health or the saving of lives
  • The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science
  • The advancement of human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation or the promotion of religious or racial harmony or equality and diversity
  • The relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage

Who the charity helps

  • Children (5-13 year olds)
  • Ethnic minorities
  • General public
  • General public
  • Older people
  • Physical disabilities
  • Voluntary and community sector

How the charity works

  • Advice/advocacy/information
  • Community development
  • Playgroup/after schools

Charitable purposes

The charity’s objects (‘Objects’) are specifically restricted to the following: The objects of the Company are to carry on activities which benefit the community and in particular (without limitation) to: To develop the capacity, skills and confidence of Minority ethnic individuals and communities living in or visiting the Armagh area in such a way that their conditions of life may be improved and that they are better able to identify, and help meet, their own needs and become empowered to participate more fully in the wider community. To advance the education of: All Minority Ethnic individuals including their children; The public generally in promoting an understanding of the history, traditions, culture and way of life of minority ethnic communities in the area so that they might better understand their needs. To promote good health and well-being and relief of sickness among the Minority Ethnic community. To support those members of the Minority Ethnic community in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship, social isolation or other disadvantage, such as discrimination and inequality and to inform, support and encourage them to use welfare, health and community services and to advocate on their behalf when necessary. To promote equality of opportunity and diversity for the public benefit through activities that foster good relations between Minority Ethnic communities and the communities in which they live or visit and to establish a sense of belonging in society rather than living in the shadows of society.

Governing document

Memorandum and Articles

Other name

  • MINORITY ETHNIC SUPPORT ARMAGH
  • 3 Trustees
  • 0 Employees
  • 0 Volunteers

Trustee board

  • Mrs Anne Marie Mclaughlin
  • Mrs Silvia Kuncheva
  • Mrs Inna Shynkevich

Contact details

Public Address

Mr Peter Wilkinson, 16 Russell St, Armagh, BT61 9AA

List of regions

  • In Northern Ireland

Save