ACAA News & Updates

Throughout January, we have resumed all of our services, activities, and community events following a short break over the festive period. It has been encouraging to see our centres active again and our communities reconnecting as the new year begins.

While this update highlights some of our recent work, it reflects only part of what we do across our centres and communities. For more regular updates, day-to-day activities, and behind-the-scenes moments, we encourage you to follow us on our social media channels.

Below are some of the key highlights from the month.

We welcomed 2026 with a vibrant and well-attended New Year’s Eve celebration at our Feltham Centre. The evening brought together community members for live music, traditional Afghan cuisine, and a countdown to the new year. It was a joyful opportunity to come together, reflect, and begin the year with a shared sense of hope and purpose, reaffirming our commitment to supporting refugee communities through integration, education, and empowerment, so that individuals and families are supported not only to settle, but to truly thrive in British society.

We were pleased to welcome the Mayor of Hillingdon, Councillor Philip Corthorne, to our Feltham office on 14 January. It was a pleasure to share more about our work and the ways we support communities both locally and beyond. We are grateful for his time and support, and we look forward to continuing to work together.

Our Birmingham ESOL classes continue to see strong and consistent attendance. Feedback from participants highlights the practical impact of the sessions, particularly in supporting daily life, access to employment, and progression into further education.

This week, we delivered an Understanding Your Energy Bills workshop for beneficiaries across West London, including Hounslow and Ealing, at our centre. The session brought residents together to build confidence around energy costs, understanding bills, and accessing available support.

We hosted well-attended men’s and women’s computer classes, supporting participants step by step to build essential digital skills. Sessions covered setting up email accounts, managing passwords safely, and confidently logging in and out of online services. The classes provided a welcoming and encouraging environment, allowing everyone to learn at their own pace. It was encouraging to see participants support one another as their skills developed and their confidence grew in using technology in their everyday lives.

ACAA also took part in the UCL Risk and Disaster Reduction Career Discovery Evening, where members of our team met with aspiring students to exchange ideas and discuss career pathways, study routes, and real-world challenges within the field of risk and disaster reduction. The event provided a valuable opportunity to engage with students from diverse disciplines and to share insights from our practical work supporting communities affected by displacement and crisis.

This month, ACAA was featured in national media following the publication of our press statement responding to remarks that downplayed the role of NATO allies during the Afghanistan War. The coverage highlighted the British Afghan community’s tribute to British Armed Forces and veterans who served in Afghanistan, recognising their courage, sacrifice, and the impact of their service on civilian lives. Through this statement, we reaffirmed our solidarity with veterans and their families, and our commitment to ensuring these contributions are acknowledged truthfully and respectfully.

And that’s not all! We have the following events and activities taking place over the next month.

Thursday 5 February 2026, 5pm - 9pm: Launch of Afghan Radio UK (Voice of the Mountains) – UK’s First Afghan Radio Station on DAB

Friday 13 February 2026, 12pm - 2pm: Official Inauguration & Unveiling of ACAA Street Sign in Hounslow

Saturday 14 February 2026, 5pm onwards: Community Ladies Night

Sunday 22nd February 2026, 4pm onwards: International Mother Tongue Day Celebration + Iftaar

If you would like to get involved or attend any of these events, please email [email protected] or call 02085720300.