Who we are
Building a brighter future
Helping Afghans and Central Asians prosper in the UK
Our wide range of services includes English language classes, employment workshops, a women’s support group, a Saturday school and homework club, youth and family support services, drop-in and telephone advice, volunteer placements, and cultural and social events. We provide outreach and visits to individuals and families in detention.
We also work in Afghanistan, where we are developing citizens advice centres in Kabul and Pul-e-Khumri, following a successful pilot project from 2013–2016. They will offer free, impartial and confidential advice, information, support and legal aid on issues including education, employment and domestic violence.
Supporting over 13,000 refugees every year
Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA) has grown from a small organization in Lewisham to a full-functioning charity in Feltham supporting thousands of refugees in the UK.
Since our inception in Lewisham, the charity has expanded its geographical remit in Hounslow, Croydon, Ealing and Greenwich, providing educational, language, mental health, legal and advice services to reduce isolation, overcome language and cultural barriers and improve employment by offering tailored and culturally-sensitive help that suits our beneficiaries’ specific situation and needs.
Over 23 years, we have expanded our impact of scope and ACAA now supports over 13,000 refugees every year.
– Our History –
ACAA’s very first office was in New Cross Gate, Lewisham – 2000
ACAA then moved to Hatcham Park Mews, New Cross – 2008
ACAA then moved into a slightly bigger office in Deptford – 2010
In 2017 ACAA recolated from the London Borough of Lewisham to the London Borough of Hounslow, to a small office on Staines Road.
ACAA’s headquarter is currently located in Griffin Centre, Feltham still within Hounslow.
In December 2022, ACAA launched its second branch in Birmingham, in the Jewellery Quarter.
A message from the director
Our vision at the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association is fair treatment for all refugees who enter the UK.
We seek improved quality of life for refugees, including successful integration into their host countries, improved human rights in the Afghan diaspora and in Afghanistan itself. All of ACAA’s projects, from citizens advice centres in Afghanistan to homework clubs and Saturday schools in the UK, seek to achieve this.
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This commitment stems from my own journey: I arrived in the UK in 1999 as a refugee, unable to speak a word of English. While studying English at Lewisham College, the challenges I faced as a refugee trying to integrate into British society motivated me to action. I founded ACAA in 2001 to focus on the needs that I felt were unfulfilled when I first arrived as a refugee.
Equipped with a law degree from Southbank University, I was determined to make a meaningful contribution to improving the quality of life for refugees in the UK and for the people of Afghanistan. Ever since, our organisation has worked to advance this mission in areas whether in education and employment, or social cohesion.
Though we have achieved a lot, there is still much to do. With the support of people across the UK and in Afghanistan and Central Asia, I am confident that we can continue to go from strength to strength and make a real difference to the lives of the people we help.
Dr. Nooralhaq Nasimi MBE
Awards
Member of the British Empire
British Citizen Award 2020
Voluntary Service 2018
Awards
Employment UK
Lewisham
Business Awards
Supporters and Donors
Many thanks to all of our supporters and donors