Celebrating Refugee Week: “Community as a Superpower”
Celebrating Refugee Week at Heston
Over the course of the celebrations of Refugee Week, from 16th to 25th June, our English class in Heston buzzed with creativity, reflection, and connection as we came together to honour this year’s theme: “Community as a Superpower.”
With funding from Hounslow Council, we were able to run a meaningful, community-focused project that brought our learners closer to the idea - and reality - of belonging.
Exploring the meaning of community
Our celebrations began in the classroom. During the first week, Savannah, our ESOL and Activities Coordinator, designed and delivered English sessions that encouraged learners to explore what community means to them.
For Pre-Entry learners, Savannah created tailored resources to break down the concept into manageable and relatable ideas. These included visual materials made using Canva to help learners engage and express themselves confidently.
Download here:
Higher-level learners explored the historical roots of the local area, using a visual timeline of Heston 100 years ago. They discussed historical photographs, shared their thoughts, and even took part in a scavenger hunt at the Royal British Legion, uncovering and piecing together the building’s rich history.
Download here:
Creative expressions of community
In the second week, with a deeper understanding of community, learners were invited to express their personal interpretations through art. Each student created a drawing or design that captured what community means to them in Heston. These artworks were then mounted on a sign and are now proudly displayed at Heston Library.
The display gives learners something tangible they can return to - a reminder of their creativity, their voice, and their place in the community.
A huge thank you
None of this would have been possible without the generous support of Hounslow Council, whose funding allowed us to bring this inspiring project to life. Their support helped empower learners to reflect, create, and celebrate the power of community - something we all need, and something our learners now know they are part of.
Kingston Celebrating Communities Awards
Kingston Council, Kingston Voluntary Action, and local voluntary organisations organised an amazing event at All Saints Church on Thursday 26th June, where local charities and individuals came together to recognise the people making a difference in the borough.
Our ESOL Manager Elena and CEO Sohail represented LEAH, hosting one of seven community stalls at the event. People visited our stall to learn more about LEAH’s work in supporting adults with English language learning through volunteering. The evening was a lively and multicultural celebration, with music, food, and plenty of community connection.
The Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Councillor Noel Hadjimichael, made a special stop at the LEAH stall, engaging with us and taking an interest in the charity's impact.
Adding to the excitement of the evening, our volunteer Jane Simmons was nominated for the 'unsung hero' award. While the award ultimately went to another deserving nominee, LEAH was proud to see Jane’s dedication and contribution recognised.
Elena said about the event:
“It was such a lovely evening. We had great conversations with people from all over Kingston, and it was a wonderful opportunity to share what LEAH does. Seeing Jane nominated was a proud moment for all of us.”
The event served as a powerful reminder of the vibrant community spirit across Kingston and the continued importance of charities organisations like LEAH in building a more inclusive borough.
Celebrating 1100 Years of King Athelstan: A Special Day in Kingston
On Friday 20th June, we gathered to celebrate a remarkable milestone - 1100 years since King Athelstan’s coronation, right here in Kingston! To mark the occasion, ten students (and four lovely babies!) joined us for a day filled with history, discovery, and connection.
We started by welcoming everyone with plenty of water and smiles. Our walk, led by our volunteer Susanne, brought Kingston’s story to life. She shared fascinating facts, including the meaning of the three fish symbol and the history behind the seven pillars surrounding the Coronation Stone.
We then made our way to the Rose Theatre. Many students were delighted to find out they could return with their children and continue engaging with local culture.
After a refreshing break in All Saints Church with sandwiches and a good cup of tea, we headed to the Kingston Museum - a clear highlight of the day!
Thanks to funding from Kingston Council, we were able to produce a special ESOL-friendly worksheet to support learners in understanding who King Athelstan was, why he is such an important figure in Kingston’s history, and how the walk and museum visit related to his legacy. The resource helped students connect more deeply with the experience and participate with greater confidence.
You can download the worksheet here - Kingston trip ESOL worksheet
At the museum, Rhys, the Cultural Learning & Participation Officer led a fascinating object-handling session with Saxon-era artifacts, including pottery made from local riverbank clay.
One of the most memorable moments came when a student came across a drawing of what New Malden is believed to have looked like in Saxon times. It reminded her of her hometown in Somalia, and she shared how this connection helped her feel more in touch with her roots.
Trip feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Many students said they made new friends and especially loved the museum experience. Here’s what one student said:
"Thank you very much for the lovely trip on Friday. I really enjoyed walking around Kingston, learning new things, and visiting the museum. It was also very nice to meet the LEAH team and other students. I felt happy and welcomed. Thank you again for organising everything. I look forward to joining more trips in the future."
The day was a wonderful tribute to King Athelstan’s legacy, and a powerful reminder of how exploring history together can build bridges, spark friendships, and strengthen community.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to Kingston Council for making it possible.
We all live under the same sky... connecting with nature
Last week, 25 students and 3 tutors took part in a special remote workshop with Alison from Dose of Nature
- an inspiring session that encouraged students to reconnect with the natural world.
Held outside of regular class hours, the 90-minute workshop was a big success, especially considering it took place on a non-class day. The session focused on the mental, emotional, and physical benefits of spending time in nature - something particularly relevant for many of our remote students, who often experience isolation or limited mobility.
Throughout the session, students explored ways to bring small moments of nature into their daily routines. Using the five senses as a guide, they also built their English vocabulary by learning positive adjectives and descriptive language related to natural experiences.
Some practical tips shared during the session included:
- Look for repeating patterns and shapes in nature
- Unplug from headphones and tune in to natural sounds
- Safely enjoy the sun’s vitamin D
- Breathe in the "medicinal air" around trees
- Pause to find awe in small things
Student feedback reflected just how meaningful the session was:
"Very impressed with this class."
"Today is not just class, it is therapy."
"I go to park every day for lose weight. Now I go to be happy."
As a follow-up, students have been invited to take part in a summer photography challenge capturing and sharing moments of nature that bring them joy and calm.
This workshop served as a powerful reminder: no matter where we are in the world, we all live under the same sky.
Kingston Refugee & Migrant Conference 2025
As part of Refugee Week 2025, our CEO Sohail had the honour of attending the Kingston Refugee & Migrant Conference in Kingston upon Thames.
The event, organised by Kingston Council, brought together community organisations, local leaders, and people with lived experience of displacement to share stories, experiences and ideas, and discuss ways to build a more inclusive and supportive borough for refugees and migrants.
The afternoon’s agenda featured a warm welcome from the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Councillor Noel Hadjimichael, followed by moving testimonies from individuals resettled through the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, the Afghan Resettlement Scheme, and the Kingston United for Ukraine project.
Reflecting on the event, Sohail said:
“It was a great pleasure to be part of the event, which really showcased the work being done by Kingston Council and its partners like LEAH, to support refugees. I was impressed with and felt humbled by the courageous people who stood up to tell their stories of displacement and how they had made successful lives in Kingston.”
Refugee Week 2025
This Refugee Week (16 - 22 June 2025), we celebrate the strength of those who rebuild their lives in new places, and the power of communities that open their arms.
This year’s theme is "Community as a Superpower", something we see every day at LEAH, where learners and volunteers create spaces of trust, hope, and friendship.
Over the week, our staff and volunteers have been hosting and attending events throughout the boroughs we work in.
Keep an eye on our social media to see what we have been doing! You can find us on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky
Kingston Mayor’s Civic Service
To mark the start of the new Mayoral year in Kingston, a Civic Service was held at All Saints Church in Kingston on Sunday 8th June 2025 in the presence of the new Mayor, Councillor Noel Hadjimichael.
The theme of the service, in line with the Mayor’s primary interest, was community resilience.
Our CEO Sohail Faruqi attended the service, and said
It was a lovely service with several community leaders speaking about the importance of community, working together for the greater good and being inclusive. These are essential elements of building and maintaining resilience and speaks directly to the work we do at LEAH.
You can watch the full service here
Vote for LEAH!
We are delighted to have been selected by the Tesco Stronger Starts team to be entered into Tesco store voting across the Kingston Upon Thames borough.
Voting commences from the first week of July to the end of September, so get ready to vote for LEAH!
Depending on the number of votes we receive, we could be in with the chance of winning between £500 to £1,500!
Look out for opportunities to vote with blue tokens for LEAH at the following Tesco stores:
- Hook Express KT9 1EL
- Tolworth Express KT6 7DQ
- Chessington Express KT9 1SG
- New Malden High Street Express KT3 4DQ
- Norbiton Express KT1 3RT
- Kingston Express (by the station, near the LEAH office) KT2 5EB
- Surbiton Express KT6 5AR
- Worcester Park Express KT4 7NW
To check the location of any of the above stores, please go to the Tesco website here: http://www.tesco.com/store-locator/uk
To vote, you will need to make a purchase within store of any value. You will receive one token per transaction, and it's not necessary to purchase a carrier bag in order to receive a token.
Exploring History and Building Connections: LEAH students visit Hampton Court Palace
Last week, students from LEAH’s Buckingham Primary School class and their families enjoyed a memorable visit to Hampton Court Palace - a trip that blended culture, conversation, and community in the most heartwarming way.
Organised at short notice by coordinator Alice Podkolinski, the outing was initially a leap of faith.
"I’ll admit, because it was my first time, I was pretty nervous. I worried no one would turn up and that the language function of the excursion would be lost."
But she needn't have worried.
Despite a slow start and a few traffic delays, all five invited students - and volunteer tutor Audri - arrived just in time. With walking tours, travel envelopes, and tickets in hand, the group set off to explore the historic palace grounds together.
Alice explained that for many, the trip was about more than just history.
“The Buckingham class is small and quite independent. This trip was my first real opportunity to connect with them outside the classroom - and for them to get to know me. It became clear very quickly that the worksheets weren’t the only focus. The English flowed naturally, and the real learning came from simply spending time together.”
The social element was key. Conversations blossomed throughout the walk, and the group ended their visit with a coffee on the palace terrace.
Audri, one of LEAH’s dedicated tutors, said
"The recent visit to Hampton Court with the students from LEAH’s Buckingham Primary School and their families was great fun. I really enjoyed getting to know them on a one to one basis and we all learned a lot about the history of the palace. They told me they had a great time too."
One student had requested an extra ticket for his wife, who had a hospital appointment that morning. Thanks to thoughtful planning, he was able to meet her afterwards and spend the rest of the day with her exploring the palace. He was extremely grateful for the opportunity.
The outing proved to be a powerful reminder that language learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Through shared experiences, supportive conversations, and a few moments of laughter, this trip offered more than just a history lesson - it created memories and strengthened bonds within the LEAH community.
Audri has already volunteered for future trips, and the feedback from students and families has been overwhelmingly positive. Here's to more adventures that combine learning with living.
Kingston's new Mayor chooses LEAH as his charity
Councillor Noel Hadjimichael has been appointed the 191st Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston and his focus for his year is on resilience. LEAH is one of the two charities he has chosen to support given our work to promote resilience via our volunteer-led programme.
Sharon Landa, Chair of LEAH’s Board of Trustees, said:
'The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames has been a loyal supporter of LEAH's work in supporting displaced people and sanctuary seekers, and it is a testament to the work of our volunteers and staff that the borough’s new Mayor, Cllr Noel Hadjimichael, has chosen to support LEAH during his mayoral term. The honour bestowed upon LEAH has done much to highlight the issues faced by some very vulnerable people in our communities and its impact cannot be underestimated. We look forward to working with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor over the coming year.'
