About New horizon
our story
New Horizon is a dedicated group of African people with many years of experience of providing holistic support to the African community living in the City of Sunderland
New Horizon was established in 2008 in direct response to the needs of the black and minority ethnic community living in Sunderland. These were predominantly black African people of multiple African nationalities, who arrived in the city as refugees and asylum seekers between 2001-2008. The driving force behind the establishment was a group of ex-asylum seekers and refugees who had in-depth knowledge and personal experience of the issues and difficulties faced by refugees and asylum seekers
At the time the City of Sunderland had a very small BME population (approximately 2%) and within this, the African community was less than 1%. This lack of established networks and contacts, coupled with language issues resulted in isolation and in many cases exclusion from mainstream provision. Many of the people we help have no English language and this forms a major barrier to their ability to access the services they need –health, housing, immigration, education – if they are to settle into a new life here. They often have multiple unresolved issues and problems, and have experienced a degree of trauma which has affects their quality of life and perceptions.
Our aim is to address the immediate needs of these people, and then to help them to integrate and to settle in Sunderland in the longer term, building positive lives. To achieve this we offer a range of support services including, advocacy, signposting, translation as well as proactive support to help with a range of issues including immigration, housing, training, education and employment
New Horizon are also committed to promoting multi-culturalism bringing together differing communities and promoting Sunderland as a great place live whilst trying to overcome barriers and misconceptions that local people may have about the new people settling in their area.
New Horizon is a constituted voluntary organisation whose management committee is fully reflective of the local African community. The Management Committee have a range of skills and experience to steer policy, oversee implementation of projects and evaluate effectiveness
