The “Enabling ESEA Community Resilience” project, generously funded by The National Lottery, is dedicated to empowering and strengthening the East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) communities in London. Working in collaboration with Bahay Kubo Housing Association (BKHA), Kanlungan Filipino Consortium (Kanlungan), and Southeast and East Asian Centre (SEEAC), our mission is to provide support, resources and opportunities to vulnerable ESEA communities and individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Filipino, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Malaysian, Korean, Thai, Japanese and others. This 3-year project addresses crucial issues related to employment, housing and mental health, with the ultimate goal of building adaptable and resilient ESEA communities capable of overcoming future challenges.
Through our project we will 1) foster unity and establish robust relationships within the ESEA community by organising events, workshops, and wellbeing sessions; 2) improve community spaces such as the entrepreneurship hub, which supports start-up businesses and promotes financial resilience; 3) empower ESEA individuals to achieve their full potential by addressing issues related to employment, housing, and wellbeing; 4) develop resilient ESEA communities equipped to adapt to future challenges.
Throughout the project, we will offer a range of workshops, such as employment skills training (including job search workshops, certification for job skills qualifications, literacy/numeracy, digital training, and financial literacy), mental health and wellbeing workshops (including intercultural dance classes, meditation, relaxation techniques, gardening, healthy cooking and public health information) and cultural festivals. Our services and activities aim to strengthen intergenerational bonds within the ESEA communities and create connections with the broader British community.
About the partner organisations:
Bahay Kubo Housing Association (BKHA): As the only grassroots Filipino housing association of its kinds in the UK and Europe, BKHA has been addressing the pressing issues and emerging needs of the Filipino and wider ESEA migrant community in the Greater London area for over 30 years. With extensive experience in providing housing advice, managing community facilities and maintaining strong financial management systems, BKHA leads this project.
Email Address: info@bahaykubo.org.uk
Website: https://www.bahaykubo.org.uk
Kanlungan Filipino Consortium (Kanlungan): With over 25 years of experience, Kanlungan serves as the umbrella organisation for a consortium of 11 community-based organisations, supporting Filipino and ESEA migrants with lived experience of human trafficking, modern slavery, abuse, exploitation, and violence. Kanlungan provides welfare, financial, and employment advice, trauma-informed care, culturally sensitive mental health support and immigration support.
Email Address: info@kanlungan.org.uk
Website: http://www.kanlungan.org.uk
Southeast and East Asian Centre (SEEAC): Established in 2020, SEEAC is led by and for migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum from ESEA countries and people of these heritages. Its primary services include providing information, training and signposting on issues surrounding welfare, immigration, employment, healthcare and hate crimes, in addition to mental health counselling, peer support groups, advocacy and campaigns addressing intersectional challenges faced by marginalised ESEA groups.
Email Address: info@seeac.org.uk
Website: https://www.seeac.org.uk
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Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient ESEA community for generations to come.