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<p>Since January the project team has collaborated with voluntary sector partners
through existing and well-established channels such as Strategic Migration Partnerships
(SMPs) and the National Asylum Stakeholder Forum (NASF). The team have built close
links with the SMP and attends quarterly forums with NASF to provide updates on project
progress, taking and answering questions.</p><p>Early this month, an ASPEN transition
update, Q&A session and workshop was held with NASF attendees.</p><p>As well as
verbal engagement with the voluntary sector, the ASPEN project team has been committed
to keeping third sector partners informed of progress via email. Regular written updates,
information packs and all service user communication outputs have been shared with
voluntary partners.</p><p>The project team has an open communication channel with
all stakeholders via a specific project team e-mail inbox. Voluntary sector partners
have been encouraged to submit any queries or questions relating to the ASPEN transition
to the project inbox, which a project team member will monitor every day and provide
responses to.</p><p>c43,000 new payment cards have been dispatched to date. Comprehensive,
translated advice has accompanied the cards including guidance in relation to the
transition over the weekend of 21<sup>st</sup> May- 23<sup>rd</sup> May.</p><p>Longstanding
arrangements for the provision of Emergency Cash Payments (ECPs) will not be affected
by the period of transition and will remain available throughout. We have also planned
to manage any increased need for ECPs should this be required.</p>
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