Could you help LEAH win £1,000?
We’re delighted to be taking part in the Movement for Good Awards, which gives over £1 million to charities and good causes each year.
We’re asking our wonderful supporters to take a moment to nominate LEAH for the chance to win £1,000. It’s quick and easy to do, and the more nominations we receive, the more chance we have of being selected.
What could £1,000 make possible?
If LEAH is selected, your nominations could help us to:
- Keep our weekly community classes running by contributing towards the monthly costs of delivering sessions across our boroughs.
- Support volunteer development by providing a six-week bespoke ESOL training course, plus ongoing support, for 2 - 3 volunteers.
- Create opportunities for cultural integration by enabling us to take up to 60 learners and their families on a cultural and educational visit, such as to Hampton Court Palace.
- Remove barriers to learning by funding a year of crèche sessions, helping parents participate in learning and community activities while their children are cared for.
These are practical, meaningful ways that £1,000 could directly support our learners, volunteers, families and wider community.
Every nomination really does count. Please take a moment to 💙 nominate LEAH today 💙 and encourage your friends, family and colleagues to do the same.
The draws will take place during the week of 7–11 September.
Thank you for supporting LEAH, believing in our work and helping us continue to make a difference in our community.
A Sunny Walk Along the Riverside
On Tuesday, August 25th, a happy group of 12 adults, six children and one very cute dog enjoyed a wonderful morning walk along Richmond riverside, the penultimate session in our summer wellbeing programme.
We were expertly led by one of our volunteers, Sharon, who is incredibly knowledgeable about local history and used to work as a tour guide. She was the perfect person to lead the group!
We met outside Richmond Old Town Hall before crossing the bridge and making our way along the riverside. Our route took us past the beautiful Marble Hill House, where we paused to learn about the fascinating story of Henrietta Howard and the history of the house.
From there, we continued our walk towards the playground, where we stopped for refreshments and gave the children some time to play before visiting Orleans House Gallery and exploring its exhibitions together.
It was a lovely way to combine wellbeing, culture and conversation in a relaxed setting. The walk was a great opportunity to spend time together, discover more about the local area and enjoy the benefits of being outdoors.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the session such a lively fun experience.
Finding the Magic in Poetry
Week 7 of our Summer wellbeing programme brought us together again at the Town Hall for a creative and inspiring poetry session, led by our wonderful volunteers Cynthia and Robyn, with support from Sharon, Anne-Marie and Leo.
Cynthia began the session by reading ‘To Find a Poem’ by Robert Fisher, introducing the magical and playful nature of poetry. The poem encouraged everyone to see poetry as something accessible and, most importantly, something we could all have fun with.
Robyn followed with ‘Hand on the Bridge’ by Michael Rosen. With its easy rhythm and accompanying actions, the poem was a great way to get everyone involved. Participants read the poem aloud together, talked about the words and lines they enjoyed, and shared the parts they found less clear. Everyone had plenty of encouragement and opportunities to contribute.
The second poem, ‘Stream of Life’ by Rabindranath Tagore, offered a quieter moment for reflection. Cynthia read it slowly, giving everyone time to listen, think and discuss. The poem introduced some new vocabulary, which the group explored together, while also opening up a conversation about how poems can have different meanings for different people. This was a lovely opportunity to explore why poetry can be so meaningful and beautiful.
After a short break, it was time for the participants to become poets themselves!
Cynthia brought along a selection of photographs showing landscapes, animals and people, giving everyone inspiration for their own writing. She also read out ‘The Colours’ by Mary O’Neill, helping the participants think about how choosing a theme can provide a starting point for creating a poem. Participants were then able to work one-to-one with a volunteer to develop their ideas and put their own words onto paper.
To finish the session, everyone was invited to read their poem aloud - a very special and moving moment.
A huge thank you to Cynthia, Robyn, Sharon, Anne-Marie and Leo for creating such a warm, encouraging and imaginative session - and to all the participants who shared their words and showed us just how much magic can be found in poetry. Yousra, Shahla and Alina are happy for us to share their poems with you.
Borough of Sanctuary Event
On 12 August 2026, we were delighted to take part in an event organised by Richmond Council as part of their Borough of Sanctuary initiatives. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the strength of Richmond's sanctuary partnerships and the people who bring them to life.
During the visit to Turner’s House, our Volunteer Manager, Anna, had the opportunity to speak with the Deputy Mayor of London for Communities and Social Justice, Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard, about the support LEAH provides and our summer wellbeing programme in Richmond.
Dr Weekes-Bernard was particularly impressed to hear that our learners are able to access tuition at home, within their own safe and familiar environment, and spoke warmly about what a unique and valuable opportunity this is.
The day as a whole offered genuine insight into the collaborative approach that brings together council teams, sanctuary partners and sanctuary seekers, with partners, volunteers and people with lived experience speaking openly and honestly about their own journeys and the challenges they continue to face. These conversations helped shape a thoughtful and meaningful discussion about how support for people seeking sanctuary can continue to grow and improve.
It was also a fantastic opportunity for us to connect with other organisations working in this space, strengthening the networks and partnerships that allow us to better support those who need it most.
We're also incredibly grateful to Richmond Council for funding our wellbeing project in Richmond through the Borough of Sanctuary Grants scheme. This has allowed us to offer participants such valuable and much-needed support, and is an opportunity for which we're truly thankful.
A Calming Morning in Nature
On July 28th, as part of our summer wellbeing programme, participants enjoyed a special visit to the Dose of Nature outdoor space at Pensford Field in Kew, where learners, volunteers and children came together to experience the restorative power of nature.
Our group included nine learners, three volunteers and eight children. From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel incredibly welcome by Alison, CEO of Dose of Nature, Katie, Operations Manager, and the rest of the team.
Alison led an engaging session centred around the five senses, encouraging everyone to slow down, connect with the natural world and enjoy the simple pleasure of spending time outdoors. One of the highlights was discovering the art of "treelaxing" – lying beneath the trees and gazing up through the canopy – a wonderfully calming experience that many of us will be trying again at home.
Throughout the session, we were treated to refreshments in a peaceful woodland glade, and were able to fully explore the site, with its woodland paths, pond, beehives and quiet spaces to sit and reflect. It was a magical setting that provided the perfect environment for relaxation, conversation and connection.
The visit clearly made an impression on our participants. One learner, Farrokh, shared:
"Thanks for the invite to the garden. It made me very happy, and I felt honoured to be there. I hope we will have the opportunity to meet again. I found the experience very enjoyable, especially the warm and welcoming hospitality of the hosts in the garden. It was truly lovely."
One of our volunteers fed back:
"I thought the morning with Dose of Nature was fabulous. And discovering the lovely secret wildlife space of Pensford Field was a wonderful surprise. I would think that the students got a lot of enjoyment from the morning experience and talking about the benefits of nature. As did I!"
Experiences like this are a reminder of the importance of wellbeing alongside language learning. Spending time together outdoors gave our learners the opportunity to build confidence, make new connections and enjoy a sense of belonging in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
We are very grateful to everyone at Dose of Nature for their generous hospitality and for creating such a memorable experience for our learners, volunteers and families. We look forward to visiting again.
Thank you also to our funders. 
We are now half way through our summer wellbeing programme. It's not too late to join us! If you would like to come along, you can find out more and sign up here
Summer wellbeing programme
This summer, we are running a lovely programme of wellbeing events in Richmond.
This is primarily aimed at people seeking sanctuary who live in the London Borough of Richmond, including
- Asylum seekers
- Refugees
- Those seeking asylum and those who have recently received refugee status.
- Those on Government resettlement schemes including the Afghan programmes (ARAP/ACRS), Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, and UK Resettlement Scheme.
- Those on the Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family, or Ukraine Extension scheme.
If you, or any adults you know, are interested in taking part, people can sign up using this link: LEAH's summer wellbeing programme (or scan the QR code on the poster below)
The events are free to attend, and we will reimburse travel costs, and provide refreshments. Children are welcome.
If you have any questions, please contact us at info@leah.org.uk
Tickets for Good!
What better way to feel valued and appreciated than being given access to free and discounted tickets to top shows and events?
Tickets for Good recognises the incredible contribution made by people working across the NHS, education and charity sectors. By partnering with organisers of concerts, shows, attractions and live experiences across the UK, it gives eligible workers access to free and discounted tickets as a 'thank you' for everything they do.
LEAH signed up for a Tickets for Good account last year, and since then our staff have enjoyed a variety of fantastic events. The highlight so far, however, was the opportunity to see Harry Styles at his sold-out Wembley Stadium concert.
Three members of our team headed to Wembley, each taking three guests, and they had the time of their lives!
Here's what they said.
Our Coordinator, Matilda:
“A HUGE thank you to Tickets for Good. Thanks to them I was able to celebrate my 53rd birthday with my first ever trip to a concert at Wembley Stadium to see Shania Twain and Harry Styles. It doesn't get much better!”
Our Volunteer Manager, Anna:
“It was wonderful to get tickets to see Harry Styles at Wembley on 1st July through Tickets for Good. I went with my three girlfriends, and we were really impressed with our seat. The whole process was straightforward, and communication was excellent throughout. It meant so much to feel that my work was recognised in this way. Tickets for Good is a fantastic service. I've used it several times now and always feel grateful to those who organise it.”
If you work for a charity and would like to enjoy amazing experiences like these, we'd highly recommend signing up for a Tickets for Good account.
A trip to the natural history museum
On 6 July 2026, our Monday class from YMCA Wimbledon enjoyed a fantastic trip to the Natural History Museum with their teacher, Matilda.
The visit brought our classroom learning to life as learners explored some of the museum's most popular galleries.
Having recently studied animals, including comparatives and superlatives, it was the perfect opportunity to compare the enormous blue whale with an elephant and other animals we had been discussing in class.
Earlier in the year, learners had also shown a keen interest in dinosaurs, so meeting the museum's famous T-Rex was a real highlight!
Despite the hot weather and busy museum, everyone enjoyed exploring the Dinosaur, Mammals and Birds galleries, before relaxing in the beautiful new gardens with cold drinks and coffee from the new garden café.
What our learners had to say about the trip:
"Thank you Teacher for taking us to a beautiful historical museum and we had a lovely day"
"Thank you teacher. l feel very happy today."
A Wonderful Afternoon at Hogarth's House
On Thursday 2nd July, 14 learners and 2 children joined LEAH for a community trip to Hogarth's House in Chiswick.
The visit gave learners the opportunity to practise their English, learn about local history, spend time outdoors, and connect with others in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
After arriving, everyone enjoyed lunch together before exploring the historic home of William Hogarth, the famous 18th-century English artist and satirist.
Our learners were fascinated by the age of the house and enjoyed looking at Hogarth's artwork and discovering more about his life. For many, it was their first visit to a historic English home, prompting lots of questions and conversations.
One of the highlights of the day was discovering a mulberry tree in the gardens, full of ripe fruit ready to be picked. Many learners were excited to recognise the fruit from their home countries and shared memories of eating mulberries with family and friends. It was a lovely moment that sparked conversation, cultural exchange and plenty of smiles.
After exploring the beautiful gardens, the group finished the afternoon with a friendly game of skittles, giving everyone the chance to relax, laugh and spend time together.
As well as enjoying the trip, several learners signed up for summer volunteering opportunities. These activities will help them continue practising English, build confidence, meet new people and stay connected with their community during the holiday period, reducing the risk of social isolation.
Fun and a Focus Group in Kingston
On Tuesday 30th June, we were delighted to welcome 13 mothers and 14 children to our first LEAH Family Focus Group at Picnic Soft Play in Kingston.
The event brought together learners from across several boroughs, giving mothers the opportunity to meet one another, build new friendships, and enjoy a relaxed and welcoming space with their children. By hiring the venue exclusively, we were able to create a calm, non-overwhelming environment where everyone could feel comfortable, connect with others, and enjoy quality time together.
While the children explored the soft play and enjoyed time together, parents were able to relax with a hot drink, connect with other mothers, and take part in discussions about their experiences with LEAH. As part of our Focus Group, we spoke about how learning English has impacted their lives, what support has been most valuable, and how we can continue to improve our services for families in the future.
We provided travel money for all attendees, a hot drink for every mother and juice for every child.
What our learners said
The conversations we had throughout the day highlighted just how important these opportunities are for parents who are learning English and building a new life in the UK.
"I want to meet people and be able to help with my confidence."
"I would like to thank everyone at LEAH for their support and kindness. I would love more trips and activities where we can meet other mothers, make friends and practise our English."
These comments reinforce the importance of creating welcoming spaces where families can reduce isolation, build confidence, practise English outside the classroom, and develop supportive friendships within their local community.
Building community through shared experiences
The turnout was fantastic, and it was wonderful to see learners travelling from different boroughs to spend the day together. Watching mothers connect while their children played demonstrated the value of providing safe, inclusive spaces where families can relax, share experiences, and support one another.
We hope this is the first of many LEAH Focus Groups, giving learners the opportunity to shape our services while taking part in enjoyable community activities. Bringing families together helps strengthen local communities, encourages language development through real-life social interaction, and ensures that the voices of our learners remain at the heart of everything we do.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the day such a success.
