About us

LASNET (Latin American Support Network) is a community-led initiative that engages
people from Latin American backgrounds or with strong links to the Latin American
community across the Northwest of England. It was founded by a group of volunteers from
Latin American backgrounds living in Greater Manchester who participated in an MA
research project in 2012 led by one of the co-founders, Sandra Rice.

 

This research explored the experiences of Latin American migrants settling in the North of the UK as EU citizens whilemaintaining strong transnational family connections. It highlighted both the opportunities and the significant barriers they faced, as well as the lack of dedicated organisations providing culturally appropriate support in the region.
In response, the research participants and the researcher established LASNET to address
these unmet needs in Greater Manchester. For several years, LASNET operated in
partnership with Migrant Support, enabling the group to deliver community activities, support isolated individuals, and build organisational capacity, with the long-term aim of becoming an independent organisation.

In 2019, LASNET received further support from the Coalition of Latin Americans in the UK
(CLAUK) and played an active role in responding to community needs during the COVID-19
pandemic. By 2021, the organisation had grown its volunteer base, adopted its first
constitution, and opened a bank account. Since then, LASNET has secured its first grants
and delivered a range of activities focused on improving English language skills, supporting
integration, promoting well-being, and encouraging cultural expression through arts, crafts,
outdoor activities, and indoor physical programmes such as Dance for Life.
In 2025, LASNET adopted a new constitution, appointed its first Board of Trustees, and is
now registering as a charity with the Charity Commission.

From its beginnings, LASNET has been shaped by people with lived experience of migration
who face daily challenges yet remain determined to improve their lives and those of their
families while maintaining strong connections to their Latin American heritage. The
organisation is committed to raising awareness of Latin American communities and their
positive contribution to UK society. LASNET supports newcomers to the region and provides
a collaborative platform that encourages integration, mutual understanding, and celebrationof cultural identity.

LASNET is a member of the Coalition of Latin Americans in the UK (CLAUK) and works to
strengthen regional networks, particularly in response to the impacts of the COVID-19
pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

 

People involved:

The management team includes members from Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Spain,
Colombia, Argentina, and the United Kingdom.
Trustees elected in Oct 2025
Carlos Eduardo Delgado (chair)
Oscar Navarro Serrano
Danna Elizabeth Campoverde Nono
Maria Blanco Garcia
Members:
Fatima A. Freire Alvarado
Doris C. Romero Fernances
Sandra Penaloza T. Rice
María de Lourdes Rodrighues Bueno