The Mayor’s Annual Charity Dinner 2026
The Mayor’s Annual Charity Dinner took place on Friday 13 March 2026, raising valuable funds for the Mayor’s Charitable Trust, supporting both LEAH and FANY.
Held in the elegant and historic surroundings of Glenmore House, the evening brought together both charities alongside many community leaders, and provided a valuable opportunity to make new connections and create new bonds of understanding across the borough.
LEAH was represented by members of staff, volunteers, and Trustees, who came together to promote the charity and talk about our important work in the borough. Throughout the evening, our representatives engaged with guests and shared more about the support LEAH provides to the local community.
It was a wonderful evening and great to meet LEAH staff and volunteers - among many other interesting guests!
I was very proud to be there as a LEAH representative as it gave me the opportunity to meet many of the Trustees and other volunteers who do such wonderful work for the charity.
We are very grateful to the Mayor and all those involved in organising such a meaningful event, and are proud to have been part of an evening that celebrated partnership, community, and shared purpose.
Hounslow Together Speaker Series Wednesday 18 February 2026
Demographic Change: How Do We Respond?
Wednesday, Feb 18 from 4 pm to 6 pm
We are very excited to be taking part in the Hounslow Together Speaker Series on Wednesday 18 February 2026, hosted by the University of West London.
The event will explore one of the most pressing challenges facing our borough, and will bring together experts from Age UK, King’s College London, Oxford University and Sandwich Generation Support.
Our dynamic and passionate coordinator Savannah will be presenting a case study, sharing her experience of supporting adults learning English in Hounslow.
This is a great opportunity to hear different perspectives, connect with local partners, and think collectively about how we respond to change in our communities.
Reserve your place here now!
Easyfundraising
Did you know that whenever you buy anything online – from your weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be raising free donations for us with easyfundraising?
There are over 8,000 retailers on board ready to make a donation – including eBay, Argos, John Lewis & Partners, ASOS, Booking.com and M&S – and it won’t cost you a penny extra to help us raise funds.
All you need to do is:
1. Go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/leahlearnenglishathome/ and join for free.
2. Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first to find the site you want and start shopping.
3. After you’ve checked out, the retailer will make a donation to LEAH at no extra cost to you whatsoever! There are no catches or hidden charges and we will be really grateful for your donations.
4. The Donation Reminder is easyfundraising's browser extension that pops up to let you know a brand will donate as you shop. You can then get your donation in one click.
Thank you for your support!
Big Tech Mop Up!
A 6 week appeal has been launched to encourage people to donate their unwanted mobile devices to raise funds for the Mayor’s Charitable Trust through the recovery, data-wiping and resale of donated technology such as smartphones, laptops , smart watches and tablets.
Drop off your unwanted devices at one of our public drop-off locations – smartphones, tablets and laptops are all welcome. It’s quick, easy and the best option if you’re donating multiple devices.
The scheme will run until 28th February 2026.
Watch a short video here of the Mayor at ReLove Technology's site talking with their CEO about the collection appeal process and how to donate including the type of devices they can accept:
Pantomime fundraiser for LEAH
Merton’s MP3 Players will be staging their thirteenth family pantomime, Peter Pan, at the end of January, and have kindly selected LEAH as the charity to receive the funds raised! We are incredibly grateful for their support.
The pantomime will take place on Friday January 30th, Saturday 31st January and Sunday 1st February 2026 at St John The Divine church in Merton.
LEAH staff will be there too to say hello.
Click here to book your tickets!
Comedy Night fundraiser for LEAH
We’re pleased to share that LEAH has been selected as one of the charities supported by the Mayor’s Comedy Night, held in aid of the Mayor’s Charitable Trust.
The event will feature a line-up of comedians for an evening of live entertainment, with funds raised supporting LEAH and the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry . We are very grateful to the organisers and the Mayor’s Charitable Trust for choosing to support our work helping adults learn English and build confidence in their communities.
The comedy night will take place on Thursday 5 February 2026 at Ram Jam Records, The Grey Horse, 46 Richmond Road, Kingston upon Thames.
Click here to book your tickets!
Christmas opening hours 2025
Learn English at Home will be closed for Christmas from 3pm on Tuesday 23rd December and will reopen on Monday 5th January at 9am.
During this time, our support services (email and phone) will be unavailable, and no English classes will take place.
If you would like to find things to do or need help during this time you can visit the following websites:
Hounslow: Home | Hounslow Connect
Kingston: Connected Kingston
Merton: Merton Together: support those in need | Merton Council
Richmond: Home - London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
RUILS has produced a very useful Christmas resources pack for people who may need extra support over the Christmas period when most charities are closed. It includes Christmas lunches, free events and contact details for emergency services and social care.
If you are at risk of being made homeless please visit Shelter for advice: Homelessness advice - Shelter England
Urgent Support
If you believe someone is at immediate risk please call 999
Adult social care teams can provide information, support and guidance to adults with care and support needs, and those who look after them.
If you need urgent support for non-emergencies, please get in touch with Social Services via the numbers below.
| Adults | Children | |
| Hounslow | 020 8583 3100 | 020 8583 6600 |
| Kingston | 020 8547 5005 | 020 8547 5008 |
| Merton | 020 8545 4388 | 020 8545 4226 |
| Richmond | 020 8891 7971 | 020 8547 5008 |
Christmas Newsletter 2025
Season’s Greetings from LEAH!
In our Winter newsletter, we reflect on the incredible achievements of 2025, and express our heartfelt thanks to our volunteers, staff, trustees, and supporters.
Read LEAH's Christmas 2025 newsletter here!
If you’d like to receive our newsletter directly into your inbox, you can sign up here.
We wish you all a peaceful Christmas and New Year.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
ESOL Learners’ Trip to the British Museum
On Thursday 4th December, our ESOL learners gathered outside the British Museum for a very special tour. Many of the group are newly arrived asylum seekers, and for several of them this was not only their first visit to the museum, but also their very first time in central London, a milestone that brought a real sense of excitement and achievement.
We were warmly welcomed by our ESOL guide, Sophie, whose energy and enthusiasm set the tone for the day. She created an open, supportive atmosphere that encouraged everyone to speak, share, and ask questions. Sophie introduced learners to historical primary sources from around the world, prompting discussions that helped them make personal connections between the objects and their own cultures.
For many, this was a powerful moment: recognising familiar traditions, stories, and artefacts within such a world-famous collection. Sophie even located items linked to learners’ home countries and guided the group through analysing ancient writing systems, including hieroglyphics and cuneiform.
The highlights of the tour included viewing the Rosetta Stone, exploring Mesopotamian clay tablets, and discovering Greek artefacts that told complex historical stories. We ended our journey in the Africa galleries, which brought huge joy to many of the learners. They were thrilled to see objects from their own regions and proudly explained how these items are used and celebrated in their cultures. You can see this wonderful moment captured in the photo below.
After a long and enriching tour, tired feet and full minds called for a break, so we rounded off the day with a well-deserved sandwich and a coffee before making our way home.
Read some feedback about the trip from one of our learners: I found some clay, and I was happy because it reminded me of my mum keeping food, milk and water in a similar clay pot. My Queen, my mother.
Dear Savannah and Savannah’s friends thank you for supporting us, God bless you.
This trip was made possible thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund. #NationalLottery players
The Mayor of Kingston visits our office
On Wednesday 15th October, we were delighted to welcome Councillor Noel Hadjimichael, Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, to our office.
The Mayor joined one of our lessons, where he saw first-hand the difference our volunteers and learners make together. He also spent time chatting with our team about the ways we’re supporting people across the community to build confidence and connection through English.
Watch the video of the visit here:
The Mayor's Chosen Charities 2025: Learn English At Home - YouTube