Welcome to Manchester!
Join our international
student activities
We welcome and support international students,
connecting you to our community!
We wish to welcome all students from outside the UK, both European and International – a very warm welcome to Manchester and Salford!
Life can be very different moving to a new country and studying abroad. We understand that you are facing new challenges, new languages and a different culture. Finding your place in Manchester or Salford will take time and we are here to help!
Friends International is a local Christian charity, which aims to support you in building friendships with other students, make local links with families and explore life in the UK. We organise events and social meet ups, often through the help of local volunteers, to help you learn about and take part in British culture to get the most out of your time here while at university or language school – learn more about our team below.
Meet the Team!
Sabine Stockton
Sabine is originally from Germany but also lived in South Africa and Switzerland before coming to the UK. She and Graham have been in Manchester since 2008.
She loves teaching the Bible and German as well as watching period dramas. Sabine is the Centre Team Leader. As well as looking after the staff and volunteer teams, she organises and runs events like iCafe on Monday evenings.
Graham Stockton
Graham was born in Oxford but worked for a short time in the Philippines before marrying Sabine.
He enjoys reading, walking and DIY. He is a staff worker and summer outreach co-ordinator (a programme to welcome new students to Manchester) as well as giving some administrative support.
Harmienke Jerphanion
Harmienke is from the Netherlands and has been living in Manchester since October 2020.
She loves coffee, food from all over the world and hiking.
She is mainly involved with iCafé in Salford on Thursday nights, running the Local Link Hosting Scheme and communications.
What international students say!
I want to thank you and all the other people for being so welcoming. It really made a big difference having the café there, to relax and meet all these different people. It's a great thing to look back on...
I feel very blessed to meet so many nice and friendly Christians. Meeting them has helped me to cope while I try to adapt to this whole new situation...
Thank you for organising this beautiful event every week which helped me socialise as well as make new friends...
So how do I join your community?
We would love for you to join us as much or as little as you feel comfortable to. Click the icons below to visit our social media, or join one of our WhatsApp groups (email us to find out more)
Send us an email to join: manchester@friendsinternational.uk
Contact Us
One of our team will be happy to respond to any questions you have – simply send us an email: manchester@friendsinternational.uk
Visit one of our iCafés?
One of the main ways to connect is to come to one of our free iCafés to meet new friends, practise your English, play games, or discuss important questions about life. Our two options are shown below:
iCafé - Manchester
Meets every Monday 7pm - 9pm at Union Hall, Evangelical Church, Stretford Road, Manchester M15 6DY.
(Following the iCafé, from 9:00pm to 9:45pm, there is an optional discussion based on part of the Bible).
iCafé - Salford
Meets every Thursday evening 5:30pm - 7:30pm at The Angel Centre, 1 St Phillip’s, M3 6FA.
For further information contact Harmienke at us: manchester@friendsinternational.uk
Meet our local hosts? (Local Link)
One of our students’ favourite experiences is being able to spend time with local hosts, often visiting their home. Our Local Link programme gives you an opportunity to do this – simply use the Local-Link section of our App to sign up! If you have trouble with downloading the app you can also email us: manchester@friendsinternational.uk
Come along to one of our events?
Visit our Events page above to see further examples of some of the activities we offer and things you can do while in Manchester!
