01A trusted, inclusive community hub
A safe, welcoming space where people can get support, information and connection. Through community activities and volunteering, residents build confidence, friendships and a stronger sense of belonging.
Hackney ยท Since 2021
Stronger together: practical support for migrant families.
We are UMW, a Hackney-based charity supporting migrant workers, refugees and their families across London. Practical advice, community support and pathways to work โ led by people with lived experience.
RightsEqualitySolidarity
Need help with your eVisa?
Free help setting up your UKVI account โ in Turkish, Kurdish and English.
Who we are
Strengthening migrant voices for a just and inclusive future.
Unity of Migrant Workers (UMW) is a migrant-led charity in Hackney with a particular focus on Kurdish and Turkish migrant communities. Committed to inclusion, equity and the welfare of all.
Our Mission
Standing with migrant workers
We stand in solidarity with our community to remove practical barriers, challenge inequality and build pathways to stability and progression. We do this through trusted local support, community-led programmes and opportunities for people to develop skills, confidence and leadership.
Our Vision
Dignity, respect and fairness for all
A society where migrant workers, refugees and their families are treated with dignity, respect and fairness. We want communities where everyone, regardless of background, has a real chance to learn, work and contribute.
Our Approach
Led by lived experience
Our programmes are run by people with lived experience, with safeguarding in place. We have a strong focus on Kurdish and Turkish migrant communities, and we are open to all Londoners facing disadvantage, language barriers or social isolation.
What we do
Programmes that meet real needs.
Free, practical, and run by people from the community. Our programmes break down barriers and create pathways forward.
01
Advice & Advocacy
Help with letters, phone calls, forms and appointments โ for welfare, housing, health, employment and education. Basic immigration signposting where appropriate. We do not provide regulated immigration advice.
Bilingual support
02
Education & Skills
Conversation-led practical English. Digital support and connectivity. Employability help and short trainings opening pathways into learning and work.
Wed ยท 18:45
03
Community & Culture
Inclusive activities that reduce isolation and strengthen belonging. Music, dance, art and events celebrating Kurdish, Turkish and wider migrant communities.
Weekly
04
Youth & Families
Creative clubs, folk dance, age-appropriate sport, and light learning support. Informal guidance for parents navigating school systems.
Family-friendly
05
Women's Health & Wellbeing
Women-led, culturally sensitive spaces. Pilates and yoga, peer support, handicrafts, and mental health awareness and wellbeing signposting (non-clinical).
Weekly
06
Food & Warm Spaces
Community meals and warm gatherings โ including hot soup sessions โ that help people connect, feel supported and build routine, especially during difficult periods.
Monthly
What we run
Real activities, every week.
A snapshot of what happens at the centre โ music, sport, children's clubs, women-led wellbeing and drop-in advice.
Youth & FamiliesUMW Pathfinders โ Scouts
Scouts group for young people in Hackney โ confidence, belonging and outdoor skills.
Community & CultureBaฤlama lessons
Community music lessons keeping Kurdish and Turkish traditions alive โ every Monday at 18:30.
Youth & FamiliesChildren's arts & crafts
Drawing, painting and creative clubs where kids feel safe, included and expressive.
Youth & FamiliesTiny Humans' movie nights
Family film nights for small ones โ snacks, stories, and a warm welcome.
Women's WellbeingWomen-led safe spaces
Pilates, handicrafts and peer support โ women-only sessions, culturally sensitive.
Advice & AdvocacyAdvice Hub drop-in
Practical help with letters, forms and appointments โ free, in your language.
Our commitment & impact
Practical support, measurable outcomes.
From advice to education, our programmes support Turkish and Kurdish migrant communities in Hackney with practical, measurable outcomes.
01
02Stronger Kurdish & Turkish communities
We help community members understand their rights and access local services. People feel more confident to speak up, advocate for themselves and engage with schools, health services and local authorities.
03Tangible improvements in well-being
Participants widen their support networks and feel less isolated. Many report improved wellbeing, stronger self-confidence and better day-to-day stability.
How we track real change.
Attendance records, anonymised outcomes and short feedback in community languages and English โ so we know what changes in real terms.
2021
Founded โ community group Registered charity since 2025
12+
Weekly community-led sessions across all our programmes
3
Languages spoken every day Turkish, Kurdish, English
100%
Of our services are free to access
Impact stories
Real examples of practical steps forward.
How our support helps people take practical steps forward โ in their own words, in their own language.
From confusion to confidence
Fatma came to us worried about letters and appointments she couldn't understand. We helped her interpret paperwork, complete key forms and prepare for appointments, with safe signposting where needed. She now feels confident managing day-to-day services and has joined our practical English classes.
A safe space to rebuild
Zehra was isolated and anxious about accessing support. Through our women-led sessions, peer support and practical signposting, she began attending regularly and felt safer leaving the house. She now takes part in movement sessions and helps welcome new women into the group.
Helping families settle in
Murat and Elif struggled with school messages and felt unsure how to respond. We helped them understand key communications and take practical steps to engage, while their children joined inclusive activities. The family now feels more connected and confident navigating school life.
Names and identifying details have been changed for privacy. Stories are based on real cases from our community.
Read more impact stories โGet help today
Two services, open to anyone.
Walk in. Call us. Or message us in your own language. No appointment needed for most services.
Free Mobile Data Support
National Databank Hub โ in partnership with Good Things Foundation. We can gift free mobile data SIMs to people aged 18+ on low incomes who have limited or no access to the internet. Subject to eligibility and availability.
Get digital support โ
Advice Hub
Advice and signposting for benefits, housing, employment, health and education. We support people on low incomes; help is subject to eligibility in Hackney. Drop in Tuesday & Thursday, 10:00โ14:00.
Important: We do not provide regulated immigration advice.
Get advice support โLatest
Funding news & updates.
What we've won, who's supporting us, and what the community is working on.
Jun 2026
FundingWe've Received a Grant from Paul Hamlyn Foundation
We've received an 18-month grant from Paul Hamlyn Foundation's Ideas & Pioneers fund.
Jun 2026
FundingUMW starts a new recycling project for families
Unity of Migrant Workers has started a new family recycling and reuse project in Hackney with support from the North London Community Fund.
Jun 2026
FundingUMW receives support from the Share the Joy Community Fund
Unity of Migrant Workers has received support from the Share the Joy Community Fund.
With thanks to our funders
Stand with us
Help us keep support free to access.
As a migrant-led charity in Hackney, we rely on donations and grants to run our programmes. Your gift helps us keep our support free โ including bilingual advice, English classes, women-led wellbeing spaces, and family activities.