ABOUT US
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Welcome to the UK
Building stronger communities by helping newcomers thrive
Welcome to the UK is a registered charity dedicated to helping people from overseas build safe, confident and independent lives across South Essex.
Since our beginnings in 2014, we have grown from a small grassroots community initiative into one of the region's leading organisations supporting migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and international families. Every day we work alongside people from diverse backgrounds, helping them overcome barriers, develop new skills and become active members of their local communities.
Our support goes far beyond practical advice. We create opportunities for people to learn English, access employment, improve their wellbeing, build friendships, volunteer, celebrate their cultures and feel a genuine sense of belonging.
Today, through our community hubs in Southend, Grays and Basildon, we continue to welcome new arrivals with kindness, respect and practical support, helping them build brighter futures while enriching the communities they now call home.
Our Vision
We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to feel safe, valued and connected, regardless of where they were born or the journey that brought them to the UK.
Our vision is a country where every newcomer is welcomed with compassion, supported to overcome barriers, and empowered to live, work, learn and belong with dignity.
We want every person who joins our community to have the confidence, skills and opportunities to build an independent life and contribute positively to society.
Our Mission
Our mission is to walk alongside individuals and families from overseas as they settle into life in the UK.
We achieve this by providing practical support, education, opportunities and meaningful community connections that enable people not only to overcome immediate challenges but to flourish in the long term.
Everything we do is designed to help people:
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Live - Access housing, healthcare, education and practical support that enables them to settle safely and confidently.
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Work - Develop the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to find meaningful employment, progress their careers and achieve financial independence.
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Learn - Improve English language skills, understand life in the UK, develop new abilities and access lifelong learning opportunities.
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Play - Build friendships, celebrate different cultures, volunteer, participate in community life and feel that they truly belong.
This holistic approach allows us to respond to the real-life challenges people face while creating stronger, healthier and more inclusive communities.
Our Values
Welcoming - We believe every person deserves a warm welcome. We create safe, friendly and supportive spaces where everyone feels respected from the moment they arrive.
Non-judgemental - We treat every individual with dignity and compassion, recognising that every journey is different. We celebrate diversity and support people without judgment.
Empowering - Rather than doing things for people, we work alongside them to build confidence, independence and the skills needed to create lasting change.
Inclusive - We bring together people from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences, creating opportunities for friendship, understanding and community participation.
Responsive - Our services continue to evolve in response to the changing needs of our communities, ensuring our support remains relevant, accessible and impactful.
Our Story
Welcome to the UK was founded in 2014 by Amarilda (Ilda) Stafa, who recognised that many people arriving in the UK faced challenges that extended far beyond learning English.
For many newcomers, everyday tasks such as registering with a GP, enrolling children in school, applying for work or simply making new friends can feel overwhelming without the right support.
What began as informal community support for newly arrived families in Southend quickly grew as more people sought guidance, friendship and practical help.
Listening to the needs of the community, we expanded our work to include English language classes, employment support, health and wellbeing programmes, volunteering opportunities, family activities, cultural events and practical advice.
Today, Welcome to the UK supports people from a wide range of backgrounds through community hubs in Southend, Grays and Basildon, working alongside local authorities, NHS services, schools, colleges, charities and community organisations to provide holistic support that changes lives.
Our Journey
2014
Where It All Began. Welcome to the UK was founded as a grassroots community initiative supporting newly arrived families in Southend.
2017
Learning Together. Our first free English language classes were introduced, helping newcomers improve communication skills and confidence.
2019
A Permanent Home. We established our Southend community hub, creating a dedicated space for advice, education and community activities.
2022
Reaching More Communities. Our work expanded into Thurrock with the opening of our Grays hub. We also increased our health, wellbeing and cultural programmes while responding to the needs of people displaced by the war in Ukraine.
2023
Expanding our impact. We expanded our ESOL programme, introduced new learning opportunities, and strengthened our community partnerships, supported by 171 dedicated volunteers helping us reach more people across South Essex.
2024
Basildon Ukrainian Support Hub opens. We launched our dedicated Ukrainian Support Hub in Basildon, providing English language classes, wellbeing support, practical advice and community activities for people displaced by the war in Ukraine. We also proudly supported people from 73 nationalities and were shortlisted for the King's Award for Volunteering.
2025
Continuing to grow. Building on over a decade of experience, we expanded our services across Southend, Grays and Basildon, strengthened partnerships with local organisations, increased volunteering opportunities and continued delivering education, wellbeing and community programmes that help people settle with confidence and dignity.
2026 and Beyond
We remain committed to growing alongside our communities, developing new services, strengthening partnerships and ensuring every newcomer has the opportunity to live, work, learn and belong. As our communities evolve, so will the support we provide, helping create a more inclusive and connected South Essex for everyone.
Our Approach
At Welcome to the UK, we believe successful integration is about much more than providing information.
It is about creating opportunities for people to feel confident, connected and valued.
That's why our services combine practical support with education, wellbeing, volunteering and community participation.
By supporting people to live, work, learn and belong, we help individuals build independent lives while strengthening the communities around them.
Many of our volunteers first came to Welcome to the UK as service users. Having experienced the challenges of settling in a new country themselves, they now use their knowledge and lived experience to support others beginning the same journey.
This peer-led approach builds trust, strengthens communities and demonstrates the lasting impact of our work.
Partnership
Creating lasting change requires collaboration.
We work closely with local authorities, NHS organisations, schools, colleges, charities, businesses and community groups to ensure people receive coordinated, high-quality support.
These partnerships enable us to respond quickly to emerging needs, reduce duplication of services and create opportunities that would not be possible alone.
Together, we are building stronger, healthier and more connected communities across South Essex.
