Paiwand means "unity" in Dari, and Paiwand Afghan Association encourages and expresses unity through the provision of advice and support in a wide range of areas. They work with all refugees, migrants and asylum seekers, but have a particular specialism in working with the Afghan community. Paiwand offers the following services.
General information and advocacy: free and professional advice on benefits, housing, debt and immigration
Housing: supported accommodation for unaccompanied minors and refugee youths (aged 16-18), with support from their team of qualified Key Workers who encourage the young people to gain the necessary skills to transition into independent living
Education: four Saturday schools, three in Harrow and one in Barnet, supporting over 500 children and young people from low income families; they also offer ESOL classes for children, young people and adults
Mentoring: addresses the specific needs of young refugees, asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors in Northwest London who are in need of one-to-one and group social, academic and community support
Mental Health Project: a safe space for refugees and migrants facing emotional hardship, offering counselling and psycho-educational groups
Address:
Ground Floor, 11 High Street, Edgware, HA8 7EE
Area serviced:
Harrow, Brent, Ealing, Barnet
Telephone:
020 8905 8770, 07476351734
Opening times:
Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm; Saturday 10-3pm
Who is it for:
All refugees, migrants and asylum seekers in Brent, Barnet, Ealing and Harrow
Languages:
Dari/Farsi, Pashto, Arabic, Urdu, English
How to apply:
Referral from professional or self-referral
Buses:
Any that serve Harrow Bus Station
Train/tube:
Harrow-on-the-Hill (Metropolitan, National Rail)
Parking:
None on site; however, the office is near Harrow Town Centre, where there are pay-and-display car parks