Working with communities to develop enterprise

ACBBA members

For more details please click on the organisation you are interested in.

Halkevi – Kurdish & Turkish Community Centre

Business Adviser: Can Bulus
Coordinator: Yasar Ismailoglu
Telephone: 020 7249 6980
Fax: 020 7690 4003
Address: 92- 100 Stoke Newington Road Hackney London N16 7XB
Email: info@Halkevi.com
Website: www.halkevi.com
Halkevi was established in 1984 and is a registered charity. The Centre’s main priority is to welcome and provide support for Kurdish and Turkish refugees, the majority of who are Kurdish who have fled oppression and economic hardship. Halkevi’s objectives are to help its members – who are spread across the whole of England – with their cultural, social and political difficulties.
Services: Business Advice, Cinema and Film, Community Engagement Project, Counselling, Democratic Engagement Project, Drama lessons, English language courses, Family learning, Folk dancing Courses, Kurdish and Turkish Mother tongue courses, Library and Resource Centre, Luncheon club, Mediation, Music Courses, Older People’s Project, Panels and Seminars on the Dangers of Crime and Drug abuse, Radio Rojbas, Smoking Cessation, Supplementary School Project, Sure start, Welfare and Immigration advice, Women’s Activities, Youth Festival
Users: Individuals mainly from the Kurdish/Turkish communities

Day-mer

Business Adviser: Oncu Gocebe
Coordinator:
Tel: 020 7275 8440
Fax: 020 7275 7245
Address: Former Library Howard Road London N16 8PU
Email: info@daymer.org
Website: www.daymer.org
Day-Mer was founded in 1989 with the mission to work with and on behalf of Turkish and Kurdish people living and working in London, to enable them to address their problems and promote their cultural economic, social and democratic rights.
Services: Advice Service, Business Advice, Co-Educator's Project, Drama Classes, Drug Treatment Initiatives, Folk Dance Classes, Guitar Classes, Guitar Saz Classes, IT Classes, Library, Mother Tongue Classes, Open Learning Centre, Smoking Cessation, The Turkish and Kurdish Football Federation, Women's Activities, Youth Activities
Users: Individuals mainly from the Turkish/Kurdish communities.

Arachne – Greek Cypriot Women’s Centre

Business Adviser: Constantina Sampani
Development Manager: Elli Constantinidou
Address: 2nd Floor, 67-83 Seven Sisters Rd London N7 6BU
Tel: 020 7263 6261
Fax: 020 7263 6261
Website: www.arachne-group.org
Arachne Greek Women’s Group is a long established voluntary organisation and registered charity that aims to improve the quality of life and well being of Greek Cypriot and Greek women and their families.
Services: Adult Education Classes, Advocacy and Interpreting service, Befriending Scheme, Business Advice, Carer’s Self- Help Group, Children’s Events, Cultural Classes, Drop In Advice and Information Service, Employment Training & Services, English Classes level 1 & 2 (Off Site), Greek Dance (Off Site), Health Education, Keep Fit (Off Site), Play schemes, Recreational Activities, UK-Online Centre
Users: Women of Greek Cypriot / Greek nationality

LAWRS (Latin American Women’s Rights Service)

Business Adviser: Bibiana Crocitta
Coordinator: Susana Klien
Address: 52-54 Featherstone Street Islington London EC1Y 8RT
Email: lawrs@lawrs.org.uk
Website: www.lawrs.org.uk
The Latin American Women’s Rights Service was set up 22 years ago in recognition that women in their community carry out a disproportionate share of the problems of displacement, and tend to be more socially and economically marginalised. LAWRS strives to offer a holistic service that provides a wide scope of services to enable Latin American women to address their main issues, as well as a range of educational projects to enable them to break away from poverty and exclusion.
Services: A Volunteering project, Business Advice, Childcare Service, Counseling Service, Domestic Violence Support Service, ESOL, Housing Advice Surgeries, Outreach Advice Service for the Elderly
Users: Latin American Women and Youths

UCKG (Universal Church of the Kingdom of GOD)

Business Adviser: Charles Ajorbor
Centre Manager: Kim Powell
Address: 232 Seven Sisters Road Finsbury Park London N4 3NX
Tel: 020 7686 6000 (24hrs)
Fax: 020 7686 6008
Email: info@uckg.org
Web: www.uckg.org
UCKG is one of the two of ACBBA’S ‘faith’ members; the UCKG was founded in 1977 in Brazil. It is a registered charity and Christian spiritual centre with activities in over 90 countries.
UCKG Training Centre was set up as an arm of the UCKG Help Centre in 2000. The purpose of the Centre is to provide vocational training and related support services for local residents, with particular emphasis on those who are at the greatest risk of exclusion from the labour market. These include people who are long-term unemployed, women returnees, lone parents, unachieved school leavers, people without work skills or confidence, people whose first language is not English, members of ethnic minorities, and ex offenders lacking job skills.
Services: IT Training, ESOL, Blood Donner Sessions, Business Advise, Cloth Collections, Food Donation, Hospital Visitation group, Spiritual Counseling, Support for Prison Inmates and their families
Users: Members of the urban community, Older People, Single Parents, Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Long-term Unemployed, ex-offenders.

Muslim Welfare House

Business Adviser: Kamel Abdessetar
Chair: Moadh Kheriji
Address: 233 Seven Sisters Road Islington London N4 2DA
Tel: 0207 263 3071
Fax: 0207 281 2687
Email: info@mwht.org.uk
Website: www.mwht.org.uk
Founded in 1970, this establishment was originally formed to assist Muslim students coming to the UK for further education. Over the years, however, the focus of the charity has changed, as has its user community. The multi-purpose building acts as more than just a Mosque, but as an entire community centre. The MWH also acts as a social, cultural and learning and advice centre for more than 15 nationalities, ranging from Algerians, Somalis, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis.
Services: Advice and Counseling, Business Advice, Children's After School Service, English Classes, Fashion Design, Information Technology Training, Library Service, Prayer Facilities, Youth and Scouts
Users: Muslims

Somali Speakers Association

Business Adviser: Mohamoud Nur
Coordinator: Abdirahman Jabril
Address: 12 Barnsbury Road Islington London N1 0HB
Tel: 020 7833 9893
Fax: 0207 833 3757
Email: somali.speakers@ukonline.co.uk
Somali Speakers Association provides advice, information and educational activities for the Somali Community. SSA has gained a reputation as an inclusive organisation by cutting across tribal lines.
Services: Adult IT Classes, Advice and Information, Business Advice, Clait, Drugs Advice, ESOL, Housing Advice, Pastoral Care, RSA/OCR, Welfare Rights, Women’s Literacy Classes
Users: Somali Males/Females, Youths

The HELP (Healing & Empowering Lone Parents)

Business Adviser: Triumph Ayo-Isegun
Address: Family Care Centre, 2nd Floor, Spencer House, Austin Street. Hackney London E2 7NB
Tel: 0207 012 1172
Fax: 020 7033 9909
Email: info@thehelp.org.uk
Website: www.thehelp.org.uk
Services: Business Advice, Business Training, Counseling, Information and Advice
The HELP makes possible the co-ordination, encouragement and representation of very diverse people from all walks of life. The HELP is established to tackle social exclusion of a group of people whose value to society is underestimated and could remain untapped due to public prejudices and practical limitations imposed by parenting alone.
Users: Lone Male/Female parents

Iranian Community Centre

Business Adviser: Sima Azad
Coordinator: Ali Mahmoudi
Address: 266-268 Holloway Road Islington London N7 6NE
Email: icclondon@btconect.com
ICC aims to help Iranians in the process of their resettlement in this country. ICC offers its services to all Iranians experiencing difficulties and has tried to fill the existing gap between the needs of the community and the existing provisions.
Services: Business Advice, Cultural Events, Farsi Classes, Immigration Advice, Library, Persian Language Classes, Saturday School, Seminars, Summer Trips, Welfare Rights
Users: Iranians Males/Females, Youths

Islington Bangladesh Association

Business Adviser: Helal Miah
Coordinator: Asad Choudhury
Address: 71 Caledonian Road Islington London N1 9BT
Tel: 020 7833 0591
Fax: 020 7833 2608
Email: ahciba@aol.com
IBA is a grass root led registered charitable organisation based in South Islington. It is the only specific Bangladesh led organisation surviving in the borough of Islington and is now the main point of contact for the Bangladeshi community there. The Association was set up in 1984 to tackle poverty, deprivation and the isolation being experience by a marginalised Bangladeshi community in the borough. It has a long standing reputation within the community in terms of service provision – addressing the social, cultural, welfare and economic needs of the Bangladeshi community.
Services: Advice and Information on Housing matters, Business Advice, Community Development, Consumer and General Contract Advice, Debts Advice, Drug Education Program, Education Advice, Employment Support, Healthy Living Program, Interpretation and Translation Services - Bengali to English and vice versa, Luncheon Club, Older Peoples project, Training Services, Welfare Rights Service
Users: Bangladeshi and other Asian peoples

Pepys Community Forum

Business Adviser: Fartuun Shide
Coordinator: Abdullahi Mohamed
Address: Unit 2 Victoria Wharf, Grove Street Lewisham London SE8 3QH
Tel: 020 8694 3503
Email: info@pepyscommunityforum.org
Website: www.pepyscommunityforum.org
Established in 2000, PCF is an organisation that strives for full equality of education, training and employment opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers living in Lewisham. PCF has become a driving force in tackling the issues refugees and asylum seekers face in Lewisham and also unlock their potential both as individuals and members of the community.
Services: Advice and Information, Business Advice, ESOL, IT Training, Job Search
Users: Adult Asylum Seekers, refugees and those with indefinite, humanitarian and exceptional leave to remain status granted.

The African Community Partnership

Business Adviser: Yemi Akinyera
Coordinator: Elizabeth Oloo
Address: 2 Wild Goose Drive Lewisham London SE14 5LL
Tel: 020 7635 9000
Email: africap@btconnect.com
A UK based non-profit making organisation representing all people who define themselves as being of African origin. There core objective is the improvement of the socio-economic status of members of target communities through advancement of education and capacity building in such skills as will fit them for employment and enable them to fully participate in society.
Services: Business Advice, Employment Advice, Housing Advice, Information and Advice, International Development, IT and Internet access, Life Skills training, Volunteer Brokerage, Welfare Advice, Youth exchange programs
Users: African communities and Caribbean peoples

Hopscotch Asian Women’s Centre

Business Adviser: Sultana Easmin
Coordinator: Nahar Choudhury
Address: 42 Phoenix Road Camden London NW1 1TA
Tel: 020 7388 6200
Website: www.hopscotchawc.org.uk
Hopscotch supports the Asian community, particularly Bangladeshi women and children in Camden to enable them to participate in society with the knowledge, skills and confidence to access society’s opportunities, benefits and decision-making processes. They promote self-sufficiency within the community through access to education, training and employment.
Services: Adult Learning, Advice and Advocacy, Business Advice, Crèche, Employment Training, Family Support, Fostering Link Service, Health Promotion, Homecare, Internet Café, Older Peoples Services, Respite, School Holidays Project, Sure Start Drop In
Users: Asian women and children

Islington Chinese Association

Business Adviser: James Chin
Coordinator: Katy Tse Blair
Address: 33 Giesbach Road Islington London N19 3DA
Tel: 020 7263 5986
Fax: 020 7281 7136
Email: islingtonchinese@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.islingtonchinese.com
ICA has been established for 18 years. ICA was set up to advance education amongst the Chinese community through the provision and promotion of facilities for education and training. Relive poverty and distress, through advisory and other services. They are proud to have forged links not only with other Chinese organisations but with the wider community as a whole.
Services: Business Advice, Cantonese Lessons, Dance to Keep Fit, Family Therapy, London Orientation Courses, Luncheon Club, Meals on Wheels, Parenting Project, Social Dance Classes for Beginners, Table Tennis, Tai Chi / Martial Arts Classes, Traditional Chinese Opera Classes, Welfare Advice, Women’s Group Youth Counselling
Users: Mostly Chinese but open to all races and ages.

Eritrean Community in the UK

Business Adviser: Mebrathu Russom
Address: 266/268 Holloway Road Islington London N7 6NE
Tel: 020 7700 7995
ECUK is a charitable organisation established in 1987 to promote the quality of life of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers in the UK by providing advice and guidance in a variety of topics in addition to culturally based counselling. In the past 17 years ECUK has made a tremendous impact and contribution to its community and as a result of that, its credibility and accountability has increased significantly.
Services: Advice and Information, Amharic Classes, Arabic Classes, Business Advice, Counseling, Employment Support, Health Advice, Homework Club, Housing Support, Tigre Classes, Tigrigna Classes
Users: Eritrean Community

Bengali Workers Association

Business Adviser: Nahid Previn
Coordinator: Enayet Sarwar
Address: 1 Robert Street Camden London NW1
Tel: 020 7388 7313
Fax: 020 7387 8731
Email: bwa.surma@dsl.pipex.com
BWA is a registered charity working for the welfare of Bangladeshi people living in the London borough of Camden since 1976. It has a longstanding reputation within the community in terms of service provision and aims to empower British Bangladeshi people through community initiatives and raise awareness through education and training and to strengthen the social fabric of the Bengali community and encourage self-help.
Services: Advice/Welfare Rights/Legal Advice/Pension Services, Business Advice, Drugs and Alcohol Advice, Elderly Project, Employment Advice and Guidance, English Classes, Home Visits service, Job Search Club, Luncheon Club and Community Café, Parenting Group, Women's Project/Exercise and Relaxation/Cookery Class/Nutrition Courses/Sewing Classes, Yong Men's Project, Youth Project/Wing Chun Classes/Duke of Edinburgh Aware Scheme/Health and Fitness Sessions/Music Classes/ Summer Project
Users: All Camden residents, but primarily Bangladeshi’s.

Afghan Community Organisation of London

Business Adviser: Nooralhaq Nasimi
Address: Unit A2, Hatcham Mews Business Centre, Hatcham Park Mews, New Cross Lewisham London SE14 5QA
Tel: 020 7277 6242
Fax: 07727 243 263
Website: www.afghancommunity.co.uk
Established in 2002, ACOL is governed by a management board of eight members and has a membership of over seven hundred people. The organisation has established strong links with other Afghan organisations in the UK and work together on initiatives to support and develop Afghans living in the UK.
Services: ESOL, Business Advice, Citizenship Training Courses, Community Support Services, Crèche facility, Employment Advice, IT Training Course, Supplementary School for Children, Welfare and Training Advice
Users: Women and Men of the Afghan community

Kentish Town Somali Welfare Association

Business Adviser: Mohammed Ibrahim
Coordinator: Abdul Amin
Address: 45 Ashdown Crescent Camden London NW5 4QE
Tel: 020 7428 0446
Kentish Town Somali Welfare Association was established in early 1998. Providing different services to Somali community, particularly children and families. Since its inception this organisation has been providing much needed advice and guidance for the Somali community.
Services: Business Advice, Education, Employment & Training, Health, Homework, Housing, Summer Camping, Supplementary Classes Youth Club
Users: Members of the Somali, Eritrean and Ethiopian communities

An-Viet Foundation

Business Adviser: Huong Dao
Co-Ordinator: Zoe Howes
Address: An Viet House 12 – 14 Englefield Road Islington LondonN1 4LS
Tel: 020 7275 7780
Fax: 020 7275 8510
Website: www.anvietuk.org
An-Viet Foundation provides recreation facilities for the Vietnamese community in the interests of social welfare. And to support schemes in employment training to promote good race relations.
Services: Welfare Advice, Interpreting, Translation Service, Drugs Project, Cultural Events, ESOL, Vietnamese Canteen, Older People Project, Refugee Support and Advice, Vietnamese Classes, Cantonese Classes
Users: Vietnamese refugee and asylum seekers

Algerian British Connection (ABC)

Business Adviser: Mouna Hamitouche
Address: 187 Pentonville Road Islington London N1 9NZ
Tel: 0207 713 0875
Works to foster cultural links between Britain and Algeria, to support the Algerian community in the UK, to promote Algerian arts, culture and traditions. Also develops cultural and educational activities to benefit the local Camden community as a whole.
Services: Arabic Classes, Arts, Business Advice, Cultural Events, Community Groups, Crafts, ESOL
Users: Algerians and Arabic speaking members of the community

Care Alliance Refugee Project

Business Adviser: Priscilla Muruthi
Address: 54 Chalton Street Camden London NW1 1HS
Tel: 020 7388 2717
Email: info@carealliance.freeserve.co.uk
Care Alliance aims to improve the quality of life for the disadvantaged and the poor by empowering them to take action themselves to better their lives and those of others through the development of potential of refugees and other disadvantaged people and breaking down barriers to enable refugees to access opportunities around them.
Services: Advice and Guidance, Business Advice, Employment Training, Job Search and Confidence Building, Tailoring Course for Women
Users: unemployed and under-employed refugees from all refugee communities

The Gate Construction Co-operative

Business Adviser: Berio Lutumba
Address: 137 New Cross Road Lewisham SE14 5DJ
Tel: 020 7635 1311
Email: info@thegateco-coop.co.uk
The Gate Construction Cooperative was founded in January 2005 as a social enterprise to assist BME’s and other small building and maintenance contractors within New Cross NDC (New Deal for Communities) and the surrounding areas. The Gate Co-Op was created by professionals from a varied background including the legal, accounting, housing, construction and the environmental sectors. The principal aim of the Co-Op is to deliver and participate within economic regeneration aiming to leave behind a legacy of working companies through the management of local tradesmen from a pragmatic perspective and with a social conscience in the above mentioned areas.
Services: Business Advice, Lobbying and Legislative services and research and development into best practices, Training in Construction (Practical and Vocational)
Users: Members of BME communities

The CarAF Centre

Business Adviser: Jerone Manning
Director: Anne-Marie Morris Daley
Address: 27-30 Cheriton Queens Crescent Camden London NW5 4EZ
Tel: 020 7284 0030
Email: carafcentre@cbpta.com
Website: www.cbpta.com
The CafAF Centre provides first class educational, social and cultural activities for African, Caribbean and African & Caribbean Refugees and Asylum Seeker parents, young people and children in order to create an equal, caring, multi-cultural society.
Services: Crèche Service, Educational Advocacy - admissions, exclusions, special education needs and bullying / Workshops for Parents in Schools., General Activities & Events, Kuumba Play Scheme, Parenting Program, The Empowerment Service, Training Events and Workshops, Youth Project
Users: African, Caribbean, African and Caribbean refugees and asylum seekers

Ethiopian Development Association

Business Adviser: Yosias Negash
Co-ordinator: Mesfin Teshome
Address: 225 -229 Seven Sisters Road Islington London N5 1XB
Tel: 020 7272 1465
Email: info@eaduk.org
Ethiopian Development Association is a non-profit organization founded in 2001 that provides a range of programs and services to the most disadvantaged ethnic minorities in London. It is continually striving to develop and maintain vibrant healthy and inclusive communities.
Services: CV Preparation, Job Search Skills, Mother Tongue Language Classes, After School Activity for Children, Immigration sign posting and referral, Housing Advice, ESOL for Adults
Users: Refugees and Asylum Seekers from Ethiopia. Disadvantaged Ethnic Minorities in London.

Vietnamese Business Action

Business Adviser: Sue-Ann Vuong
Coordinator: Jennifer Vuong
Address: 9 Granville Court Nynehead Street London
Tel: 0207 639 4452