Case Studies
About a local refugee girl named Ellie (not her really name)
Ellie is 12 years old girl living with her single mother Ms X, in Queen’s Park. Ellie and her mother are newly arrived refugees from Democratic Republic of Congo. They came in the United Kingdom in February 2019 and Ellie speaks little English as she is still improving her English in school and with friends. One day, on the road to the supermarket for shopping, her mother met a friend who lives around their home. Lady X informed Ellie’s mum about the project for the children to participate and learning about the environment and local landmarks. Before lady even lady X finishes to invite them, Ellie exclaimed “I want to go, I never been in a boat all my life, please mum can we go please”. Yes, that’s fine we will go and hope its safe not like the kinds of boats that we used back home in the village! Don’t be silly mum, this is England not Congo. Said Ellie.
I couldn’t sleep because I kept on asking my mum about the trip and her mum kept on saying “Not today be patient, one more week and you will go”. When the day arrived, Ellie was the first to wake up and got dressed and ready to go. “Within my heart, I was praying asking God to intervene and maintain my mum’s heart positive not to change her mind because, sometimes adults they promise things to children and when the time came, they change they mind giving excuses, said Ellie. When my mum and I arrived at the pick up point, I couldn’t believe my eyes, they were lots of other children of my ages and older. I was very much surprised to meet one of my school’s friends on the boat. Said Ellie.
The trip was fun, amazing and the view of the City (houses, people, streets and cars) from the boat was different compare to the view from the Bus 18. Said Ellie.
The trip on the boat was fun, educative and joyful, said Ellie. I wish the trip is organized every week so that I can invite all my friends from schools to have fun and learn also more about the Canal. Said Ellie. Lots of children of my age lives in Queens Park but never been on the boat or visit London Zoo and Camden Dock by boat. When I go back to school, I tell my friends about the trip and all I have learned so far about the Paddington Water Canal, said Ellie.
The difference we make
year of experience
happy members since 2001
Members from April 2023-2024
Members from April 2023-2024
Immigration advice
Our immigration services are provided at Level 1 on Asylum & Protection (Notifying UKVI of a change of address Straightforward applications to vary the conditions attached to leave already granted, including conditions attached to bail granted by the Secretary of State Straightforward applications for leave in line or refugee status in line for the UK born children of refugees and people with humanitarian protection) and on Immigration (Basic applications for entry clearance, leave to enter or remain in the UK. Applications for Administrative Review, apart from applications re fused on the basis of credibility or a fundamental issue of the genuineness of documents or relationships Straightforward applications to vary the conditions attached to leave already granted, including conditions attached to bail granted by the Secretary of State)
Welfare and benefits advice
We helped more than 1,330 individuals with different single welfare issues and were proud to have achieved the Recognising Excellence Quality Mark, endorsing the investment we have made in the quality of the advice service and the mechanisms for client feedback
Translation
We supported xxx French, Portuguese and Lingala speaking community groups who have English as their second or third language with our translation and interpretation service
Women's Group
Local community women take part in our women’s group, with activities including home and hospital visits, advice and guidance on childcare resources and opportunities
IT and language skills
Around 120 people take part in our IT and ESOL language courses every year in partnership with the Westminster Adult Education Services.
Health Project
The Drug Misuse Awareness programme prime aim is to promote the health and wellbeing of the African French & Portuguese speaking communities living within the City of Westminster including its refugee communities. It does this through community health based initiatives developed in partnership with other community-based groups, statutory agencies and other voluntary organisations. It furthers develop and establish the community based on needs, and be an example and support to other emerging refugee organisations.
Volunteer and pre-employment training
KCIA has in place a volunteering programme and policy set of guidelines that outlines how our users and anyone interested can engage in volunteer activities. It serves as a roadmap for both KCIA and its users, detailing the types of volunteer work supported, time-off policies, and other key elements. In KCIA, Volunteering serves as a valuable "pre-employment service" by enhancing skills, building confidence, and providing experience that improves job prospects, especially for disadvantaged individuals and those changing careers. Programmes are offered at KCIA resource centre, which integrate volunteering with support for CV writing, interview skills, and confidence-building to help people progress into employment.
Volunteering: Our current Management Committee Board Members and Volunteers have a variety of qualifications and skills in advice, including Immigration advice, guidance, interpreting and community development work. In addition to this our Management Committee Board has representation on the Management Board of the Westminster Council of Voluntary Services (CVS, Voluntary Action Westminster). The organisation has developed a guide for volunteers and staffs on placement gaining further skills and knowledge to tackle and responding effectively on issues affecting directly refugees, migrants and indigenous within voluntary sectors. The guidance ensures good practice in recruitment, induction, supervision and support, payment of expenses and provision of references where volunteering might lead to employment. Volunteer’s supervision (by the Manager or a Senior member of the management.
Generally, Kongolese Centre for Information & Advice (KCIA), will consider involving anyone (aged 14 and over) who wishes to volunteer with us. However, prospective volunteers must demonstrate a commitment to the aims of Kongolese Centre for Information & Advice (KCIA) and their availability as volunteers must align with the needs of the organisation.
We provide a volunteer recruitment process, which is free from any unlawful discrimination. For some volunteer roles, specific selection criteria may apply to determine the suitability of a volunteer candidate to a particular role. In addition, selection criteria may become relevant where there are more applicants for a particular volunteer role than positions available. Selection criteria are based on the relevant skills, qualifications and experience of volunteer candidates.
Resources
Help for Organisatons:
We believe that it is only through joint voluntary/community action and a strong united voice, that we can influence change.
We have close relationships with several voluntary and statutory organisations serving refugees, asylum seekers and ethnic minority groups including Refugee Council, Shelter, Red Cross, and Citizen Advice Bureau
We provide capacity building training, work placements, management training, policy formulation, volunteer recruitment and monitoring and evaluation of refugee projects in Westminster
We also engage policy makers on housing, welfare, racial harassment, access to services and any other issue that may impact on the lives of Kongolese refugees and asylum seekers in the borough.
Our Work
We seek to empower people so that they gain understanding and confidence to manage their own lives and affairs and to participate more actively both in their own communities and in wider society.
year of experience
happy customers
professional awards
Immigration Advice
We offer free, independent and confidential advice and information on immigration (OISC level 1), welfare benefits, debt, health, homelessness, housing and education in Westminster and neighboring boroughs.
Our advice sessions are open to all asylum seekers and refugees in Westminster area and neighboring boroughs. In some circumstances we can offer advice and assistance to other irregular migrants with children.
Our advisers understand that having irregular immigration status or an immigration problem can be extremely stressful. Therefore, we aim to offer a free, knowledgeable and sympathetic service to our clients.
The advice sessions are by appointments only but sometimes we can provide advice by telephone, depending on the nature of the issue.
Advice offered include
- All aspects of Asylum and human rights law from initial applications to appeals before the Immigration and Asylum Chamber.
- All aspects of immigration law, including entry clearance applications, applications for leave to remain within the immigration rules and outside, to related appeals before the Immigration and Asylum Chamber.
- Citizenship & Nationality law including applications for the exercise of discretion
- Rights of free movement in the EEA
The list is not exhaustive and if your particular problem does not appear to be listed, please contact us as we may be able to help or refer you to someone who can.
Welfare Benefits Advice
The project helps refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in Westminster Borough and neighbouring boroughs integrate in the society and enrich their lives through the provision of information and advice on welfare benefit and health.
Our welfare benefit advice includes:
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
- NASS
- Income Support
- Child Benefit
- Pension Credit
- Carers Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Working Tax Credit
- Council Tax
- Child tax Credit
Women's Group
This has been running on weekly basis with the aim to compact isolation, improve the health and overall wellbeing of asylum-seeking and refugee women who have experienced gender–based violence and trauma.
The group has been the hub of many activities within the project and created an stimulating social network between women from different countries. They chat, exchange ideas, learn about their health, relax in a kind and equal space and support and learn from each other to overcome challenges that occur in the host community.
Health Projects
This has been running on weekly basis with the aim to compact isolation, improve the health and overall wellbeing of asylum-seeking and refugee women who have experienced gender–based violence and trauma.
The group has been the hub of many activities within the project and created an stimulating social network between women from different countries. They chat, exchange ideas, learn about their health, relax in a kind and equal space and support and learn from each other to overcome challenges that occur in the host community.
Skills Development
One of the biggest problems of being a migrant or refugee in other country is the language barrier, the difficulty of communicating and expressing their necessities, so this is the aim of the Kongo Learn ESOL Project; integrate migrants and refugees with the local community by helping them improve their communication skills.
Thus we run weekly IT and ESOL classes
Our Team - Trustees & Staff
Denham Thompson,
Community Welfare Advice Officer Dev.
Jerome Kasanja,
Head Sporting Coach
Helene Ilunga,
Sporting Coach Assistant
Peter Nsumbu,
Project Coordinaor
Volunteers
Mrs Floresse Lembe
Mr Kiondo Wilkins
Mr Manuel Varela
Mr Martin Kandu
Ms Mireille Matumpa
Mr Sighi Turker
Trustees & Management Committee
Mr Kanwar Bhan – Chair
Mr Christian Carlton – Vice Chair
Mrs Annmarie Espaine – Treasurer
Ms Katia Andrade – Secretary
Mrs Essiya Muzumu – 1 st Advisor
Mrs Jeanne Boketshu – 2 nd Advisor
Miss Silvie Rose – Senior Member
Miss Rose Vita – Senior Membe
The Executive Committee
- Mrs Jeanne Boketsu
- Mr Kanwar Bhan
- Ms Katia Andrade
Finance Sub Committee
Mrs Annmarie Espaine
Mr Christian Carlton
Mrs Essiya Muzumu
Fundraise Sub Committee
Peter Nsumbu
Miss Rose Vita
Miss Silvie Rose
Contact Us
Address:
Kongolese Centre for Information & Advice, Bangladesh Centre, 19 Samford Street, London NW8 8ER
Telephone:
+44 207 7249747 or +447487524886
Email:
Opening Hours:
Mondays to Fridays 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Saturdays available via appointment only
Appointments are made from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm throughout the week excluding Mondays and Thursdays. We accept appointments from individuals or from referring agencies.
