Lending a helping hand: Organisations Supporting Latin Americans in the UK
It has been three years since I arrived at Heathrow Airport after my spouse visa got approved. I had a folder full of paperwork, a new home address written on a small piece of paper and my whole life packed in a suitcase. The immigration officer asked me a few questions, checked my visa and stamped my passport. “Welcome to the UK”, he said, before waving me through. I had become one of several thousands of Latin Americans living in the United Kingdom.
The Latin American community in the UK is one of the fastest growing ethnic groups. It is often easy to think that migrating is a simple task for everyone but the reality is that being part of an ethnic minority can be very challenging, both for first and second-generation immigrants and especially for those with an insecure immigration status.
It is important to recognise that the experiences lived by Latinxs vary extensively depending on socioeconomic factors and backgrounds. Broadly, common issues surrounding the community include housing and employability. For instance, my bachelor's degree is not recognised in the UK. This meant that I was effectively forced into a career change; an experience which was both disheartening and daunting. Sadly, this is the case for many of our fellow Latinxs who hold university degrees and even master’s degrees that are not recognised by the UK’s educational system.
After a few months of working in London I met a Colombian woman who had two university degrees but due to not being proficient in English she was working as an office cleaner. She would have to wake up at 4AM every morning to work two jobs just to make ends meet. Sadly, the language barrier and lack of formal acknowledgement of educational qualifications are only two of several factors leading experienced Latin American professionals to work in low paid jobs, making them more vulnerable to labour exploitation.
Unfortunately, many of these issues have been further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, it is not all negative. Over the years, amazing work has been carried out by brave individuals in the UK who have founded and worked in not-for-profit organisations that support the Latin American community. These groups tirelessly advocate for the recognition of the community and migrant’s rights, providing one-to-one support for those that most need it.
Where to go?
Depending on your needs, you can find several charities that offer specialised support. If you are looking to attend events and be part of a community, you can also find services that offer group work or social events. Below are some organisations I’m familiar with. The first of the list is of course, Latin Girls At Work, which recently became a registered charity!
Latin Girls At Work – Our goal is to expand the professional and social opportunities for Latin American women and non-binary people by creating a platform where they can expand their networks, develop their professional skills and share experiences with a group of like-minded people.
For more information you can follow us on Instagram, or explore this website.
CLAUK is a coalition of Latin American organisations that share the same objectives. Together, they aim to act as a collective voice that represents the interests of the Latin American community in the UK.
Website: https://www.clauk.org.uk/
Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS) is a human rights, feminist organisation run by and for Latin American migrant women living in the UK. LAWRS supports 5,000 women every year who are exposed to violations of their fundamental human rights, such as facing violence, exploitation in low-paid sectors, trafficking, or enduring severe poverty and deprivation. LAWRS offers advice on benefits and counselling, as well as providing support to victims of domestic abuse. It also offers support groups in Spanish and Portuguese, as well as English classes. LAWRS services are for Latin American Women only.
Website: www.lawrs.org.uk
Indo-American Refugee and Migrant Organisation (IRMO) works to enable the development, agency, and participation of Latin Americans and other Spanish and Portuguese speakers, by responding to both immediate needs and structural inequalities. It offers advice and casework on immigration, welfare entitlements, housing and homelessness prevention. IRMO also has a programme of support in education, training and employment as well as ESOL classes and homework support.
Website: www.irmo.org.uk
Latin American Women’s AID (LAWA) runs the only refuge in the UK by and for Latin American women and children fleeing gender-based violence. Their services range from emergency refuge homes, advice and support, crèche, English classes, counselling, a Change Maker empowerment program, a housing policy project (WAHA) and children and young people's services.
Website: www.lawadv.org.uk
Latin American House was established in 1983 and is a registered charity. It offers legal and social advice in relation to benefits, immigration, family, housing, and employment law. It also runs a bilingual nursery and Saturday school aimed at Spanish-speaking families who want their children to learn, socialise, and play in Spanish.
Website: www.casalatina.org.uk
Latin American Disabled People's Project (LADPP) is the only organisation in London devoted to serving disabled people from Latin America, Europe and Africa, whose first language is Spanish or Portuguese, as well as their carers, families and communities. It offers services around employment rights, mental health, housing and the EU settlement scheme among others.
Website: www.LADPP.org.uk
Other organisations are:
Latin Elephant: This charity promotes alternative and innovative ways of engaging and incorporating migrant and ethnic groups in processes of urban change in London.
The Prisma: A unique and pioneer media project in the UK that aims to integrate people with different backgrounds and nationalities.
Latin American Support Network (Manchester): Created to help people who are new in the region and also to create a collaborative platform that incentivises integration and celebration of their cultural background.
Casa do Brasil: Member- based organisation providing advice, direction and support to immigrants and their families in the UK.
CASA Latin American Theatre Festival: Arts organisation whose central goal is to facilitate artistic and cultural exchanges between Latin America and the U.K.
VOADES: An organisation that aims to promote emotional health in Spanish-Portuguese speakers in the United Kingdom.
These organisations rely on a sense of community. For Latin Americans in the UK, there will always be someone to lend you a helping hand.
