Today, we would like to say a big thank you to Edjola for her continued contribution to Welcome to the UK! Edjola has supported our learners through one-to-one sessions and small literacy support groups. She has now taken the next step in her journey with us by becoming an ESOL teacher, delivering sessions for our ESOL Starter group. With her patience, experience and understanding of learners’ needs, Edjola is helping people take their first steps in learning English and buil

Last Friday, our Welcome to the UK Friendship Group came together at Priory Park for a community litter-picking activity as part of our commitment to volunteering, environmental awareness and community engagement. It was a wonderful and rewarding experience for our members, bringing people together, encouraging teamwork and helping us make a positive difference to our local community. We are proud of everyone who took part and gave their time to help keep our local environmen

Do you have a child starting Year 7 in September 2027? The Council and School Admissions Team will be visiting Welcome to the UK Southend Hub to provide information and guidance about the school admissions process and how to apply. Tuesday 13 October 2026 12:30–1:30 pm Welcome to the UK – Southend Hub Do you have questions about school admissions? Want to know more about the application process? Come along and speak directly with the Council and School Admissions Team. T

The new term has started, and it’s great to see our hubs full of familiar faces, new members of our community and our regular activities taking place again. English classes Friendship Group Conversation Club Ukrainian Club One-to-one support From learning English and making new friends to getting support with everyday life, there is always something happening at Welcome to the UK. We also had the opportunity to join the @savs_southend Volunteer Event, where we met other

It was a wonderful community event filled with smiles, great conversations, and the opportunity to meet so many amazing people. We enjoyed networking, making new connections, and sharing information about our work with the local community. A big thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello. It was a pleasure to be part of such a vibrant and welcoming event. We can't wait to see you again at future community events. #Basildon #PitseaCarnival #CommunityTogether #LocalCommu

From helping us during Volunteers' Week, to supporting our Refugee Week activities, and assisting our tutors in our ESOL classes, you have made a real difference. Your enthusiasm, kindness, and willingness to help have been greatly appreciated by our staff, volunteers, and the people we support every day. Thank you for giving your time, energy, and commitment to Welcome to the UK. We hope you've enjoyed your time with us, learned new skills, and made some great memories along

It was a fantastic opportunity for our members to access a range of free health checks and speak directly with health professionals about their wellbeing From blood pressure and cholesterol checks to blood sugar testing, the session encouraged many people to take a closer look at their health in a supportive and friendly environment. Advice and guidance on healthy lifestyles and stop smoking support were also available We are very grateful for this continued partnership and t

What a fantastic start to the week for Welcome to the UK as we celebrate Volunteers’ Week Today, we were honoured to welcome the High Sheriff of Essex for a special visit to our organisation. The occasion was made even more special as two of our amazing volunteers received awards from the High Sheriff in recognition of their dedication and service. A huge congratulations to Anju, who has been volunteering with us for over five years as a volunteer and Assistant Teacher, and t

A huge thank you to The Tudwick Foundation for supporting Welcome to the UK with a £1,000 grant towards our Basildon Conversation Club. Your generous support means so much to us and to the community we serve. Thanks to your contribution, we can continue creating welcoming spaces where people can build confidence, improve their English, and connect with others in the community. Thank you for believing in our work and helping us continue making a positive difference. #ThankYo

We are incredibly proud of our wonderful Welcome to the UK member, Yaroslava Last Friday , we had the pleasure of collaborating with Southend Libraries to host a very special event celebrating Yaroslava’s second Ukrainian children’s book. Yaroslava, a retired cardiologist who came to the UK from Ukraine after the war began, continues to inspire us all with her creativity, resilience, and passion for storytelling. It was truly meaningful to support her in sharing her work wit

Last week, the children from Welcome to the UK Ukrainian Culture Club took the stage at the Ukrainian Centre in London, sharing the beauty of Ukrainian culture with pride and excitement. Before the concert, the children confidently went through sound checks, backing tracks, and technical rehearsals , all of which helped them feel calm and ready for the big moment. A special thank you goes to the parents for their support, care, and for bringing the children to this important

He has been a huge help to our team and has done an amazing job during his time with us. We are really proud of him and very grateful for all his support. Well done, Troy! ⭐️ At Welcome To The UK, we regularly work with local schools to support students through work experience placements. We do our best to make sure every young person feels welcomed, supported and confident as they begin their work journey, and we’re always happy to be part of that first step. A big thank yo

We are thrilled to share that we received a wonderful letter of thanks from @mayor_of_southend following his visit to our office. His kind words highlighted the dedication of our team and the positive impact of our work supporting local families, newcomers, and students. We are truly grateful for his recognition and for taking the time to learn about our services. Visits and messages like this inspire us to keep making a difference in our community every day. #WelcomeToTheUK

Welcome to the UK was proud to take part in several inspiring events celebrating Black History Month. Our amazing volunteer Jasmin attended the Flag Raising Ceremony at Porters Civic House, where the Mayor and local leaders shared powerful messages of unity, recognition, and progress. Meanwhile, Ilda and Tanya joined the Metro Bank Black History Month event in Basildon, connecting with partners and celebrating the strength and achievements of the Black community. Thank you to

We were all so excited for today’s event, and it turned out to be an absolutely amazing and successful day. We couldn’t end the celebration without sharing some professional snapshots captured by the talented Nataliya Vasilkonova Photographer , who is not only a great photographer but also a wonderful supporter of Welcome To The UK. It’s been a busy day filled with laughter, costumes, creativity, and community spirit, the best kind of day! #Halloween2025 #WelcomeToTheUK #

Join us on Friday, 31st October, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at our Grays Hub for a day full of fun and laughter! 🎭 What’s on: 🕸️ Costume Competition 🎲 Spooky Bingo ✂️ Arts & Crafts 🍬 Tasty Treats Bring your friends, family, and your best costume! Let’s make this Halloween one to remember! 🎃🦇 #HappyHalloween #GraysCommunity #FamilyFun #HalloweenEvent #WelcomeToTheUK #HealthwatchThurrock

Aline spoke about her experiences moving to the UK and the importance of educating the younger generation about Black history , a message that deeply connects with our mission at Welcome To The UK, where we celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the power of learning from one another. Across our local area, there are so many wonderful activities taking place this month to honour Black history, culture, and achievements. Let’s continue to learn, celebrate, and stand together as o

Saturday , our Welcome to the UK team had the pleasure of attending the Mosque Open Day at Southend Mosque (UKIM) , and what a truly...

We were very proud to take part in the Stop the Hate Conference, organised by the Basildon Twinning Association, as part of The Forget...

Children sang a song that moved everyone in the room, where small hands rise to shield Ukraine from rockets. Tiny voices, singing of...