Akwaaba is a Hackney-based social centre for migrants. We offer a space for rest, play, learning and mutual support. During the pandemic we have continued our activities online and in person when possible. Akwaaba is for all migrants regardless of immigration status, ‘race’, religion, country of origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and (dis)ability.
We believe that no-one is illegal. We are committed to actively opposing racism and all other forms of discrimination and oppression.
Our aim is to build community and foster care, cooperation and solidarity. As a community, we try to make decisions collectively and give all members an equal say in how the social centre is run. Akwaaba is a volunteer-run space.
Akwaaba, which means welcome, is a volunteer-run Sunday social drop-in centre for
refugees, asylum seekers and other migrants.
Akwaaba provides a safe, non-hierachical and welcoming space in which visitors and
volunteers can connect with one another and develop a shared community. Akwaaba
aims to reduce social isolation and build lasting relationships between new members of
the community and old, to offer practical and emotional support to vulnerable migrants
and to foster solidarity and cohesion in an extremely diverse London neighbourhood.
Every Sunday, Volunteers and visitors come together to prepare a hot meal, share
experiences, take part in activities and learn new skills. During the first lockdowns, Akwaaba provided various types of support to members to mitigate the effects of the lockdown restrictions.
Akwaaba runs online a carefully planned programme
of children's activities offers fun and educational opportunities for younger visitors
ensures that parents can fully participate in workshops and classes including ESOL,
bike repair, women's groups, drama classes and computer classes and Tree of Life
Therapy sessions or just enjoy a few hours peace with new and old friends.
The organisation strives to be non-hierachical by ensuring that visitors to the centre,
volunteers and the management committee make decisions together about how the
centre is run. Visitors and volunteers share responsibilities in organising and
implementing the activities and cooking of the shared meal. We also hold regular
sessions for visitors to voice their thoughts on how the centre should be run.
