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Unity of Migrant Workers

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 for migrant workers, refugees and their families in Hackney.

Community members receiving advice and support at the UMW drop-in hub

Drop-in support

01

Advice & Advocacy

Trusted, practical support to help people take the next step. We help with understanding letters, making phone calls, completing simple forms, booking appointments, and finding the right service for welfare, housing, health, employment and education. We provide basic immigration signposting where appropriate, but we do not present this as formal legal casework.

Important: We do not provide regulated immigration advice.

  • Help with letters, forms and appointments
  • Welfare, housing, health and employment signposting
  • Basic immigration signposting
  • eVisa & UKVI account help — creating accounts, accessing eVisas, generating share codes

Tuesday & Thursday · 10:00–14:00 · Free, drop-in

Children and a volunteer in a reading and learning session at Unity of Migrant Workers

Learning & development

02

Education & Skills

Conversation-led practical English classes that build everyday confidence for appointments, school communication and work. We also offer basic digital support (including help with online tasks and connectivity where available), plus employability-focused help and short trainings that open pathways into learning, volunteering and work.

  • Practical English classes (conversational, everyday focus)
  • Digital literacy and online support
  • Employability help and short trainings
  • Pathways into volunteering and work

Practical English — Wednesday · 18:45

Adults learning bağlama in a community music class at Unity of Migrant Workers

Connection & belonging

03

Community & Culture

Inclusive community activities that reduce isolation and strengthen belonging. This includes social gatherings and culturally rooted activities such as music, dance, art and community events celebrating Kurdish, Turkish and wider migrant communities.

  • Bağlama lessons — Monday 18:30
  • Monthly community breakfast
  • Concerts and cultural gatherings
  • Community art and social events

Various — weekly and monthly sessions

Children and instructors at Little Champions martial arts session at Unity of Migrant Workers

Children & parents

04

Youth & Families

Family-friendly sessions that help children feel safe, included and confident. Our programme includes creative clubs, structured cultural and movement activities, and age-appropriate sport and fitness. We also provide light learning support and informal guidance for parents when school systems feel difficult to navigate.

  • Little Champions martial arts (4–6 and 7–11 year groups, free)
  • Folk dance for young people
  • Creative arts and drawing clubs
  • Tiny Humans family film nights
  • Light maths and English support
  • Parent guidance on school communication
Women attending a session at Unity of Migrant Workers women-led wellbeing programme

Women-led spaces

05

Women's Health & Wellbeing

Women-led, culturally sensitive spaces that reduce isolation and rebuild confidence. Activities include movement sessions, peer support, creative skills, and mental health awareness and wellbeing signposting (non-clinical).

  • Women's pilates and yoga sessions
  • Peer support and social connection
  • Handicrafts and creative skills
  • Mental health awareness and wellbeing signposting (non-clinical)
  • Mor Kızıl Kolektif women's gatherings

Weekly — see contact for current times

Community members gathering for a shared meal at Unity of Migrant Workers

Community meals

06

Food & Warm Spaces

Community meals and warm, welcoming gatherings (including hot soup sessions) that help people connect, feel supported, and build routine — especially during colder months or difficult periods.

  • Monthly community breakfast
  • Hot soup sessions
  • Warm, welcoming drop-in space

Monthly — see contact for dates

UMW Pathfinders scouts group outside the community centre in Stoke Newington

Scouts & outdoor skills

07

UMW Pathfinders — Scouts

Our Scouts group for young people in Hackney. A place to build confidence, belonging and practical outdoor skills together. Open to all — no previous experience needed, uniforms and kit provided where possible.

  • Weekly Scouts sessions in Hackney
  • Outdoor skills, teamwork and community projects
  • Trips and activities through the Scout network
  • Inclusive, bilingual group — Turkish, Kurdish and English welcome

Weekly — contact us for current day and time

Partnerships & referrals

We work alongside local services and use trusted signposting so community members can access specialist advice, housing, health and wellbeing support when issues fall outside our remit.

Get involved

Need support? We're here.

All our programmes are free and open to the community. Get in touch to find out what's right for you.