About us
Who We Are
The Centre for Social Inclusion is a user-led organisation. All members of the Board are Directors/Trustees, who shape the strategic
direction of the charity are people with lived experience of the issues we aim to tackle,
ensuring that the organisation’s goals, policies,
and services accurately reflect the actual needs
of the community we serve.
All service users are members of the Users’ Forum,
and they actively participate in the design and
delivery of services and in providing feedback
on the effectiveness and relevance of our activities.
Who We Serve
We serve a diverse range of community members, focusing on those who face social and economic exclusion. Our programs are designed to provide the support, skills, and networks needed to navigate challenges and achieve personal growth.
The Centre for Social Inclusion is a warm and vibrant community where every individual is valued.
Dedicated to breaking barriers, we empower our members to shape a future where everyone truly belongs.
Our Vision
Our vision is a society where everyone has a good standard of living, free of poverty, disadvantage or any other form of inequality and everyone enjoying a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Our Vision, Mission & Objectives
Our Mission
Our mission is to ensure that individuals, families or people of any group who are socially and economically excluded or are at risk of such exclusion are supported with appropriate interventions to overcome all forms of barriers that prevent them from accessing the range of mainstream services
and gain educational and employability skills in order to access opportunities and resources necessary for realising their full potential and participate fully in the economic, social and cultural life of society as equal citizens.
Our Objectives
1. To rid poverty and inequality among asylum seekers, refugees, migrants or any other disadvantaged group, who are socially and economically excluded or are at risk of such exclusion.
2. Assist those who are in or at risk of poverty and social exclusion to overcome all forms of barriers and gain the opportunities and resources necessary to participate fully in economic, social and cultural life and to enjoy a standard of living that is considered normal in the society in which they live.
3. To improve opportunities for participation in society of those who are excluded for reasons of old age, gender, sexual orientation, identity, disability and physical or mental health conditions.
4. To preserve and protect their mental and physical health and wellbeing.
We will also abide by the following principles when planning and providing services:
• Seeking and responding to the views and needs of the service-users by involving them in the planning, delivery and evaluation of services.
• Recognising and taking into account the diverse interests and potential needs of the service-users and work on the conviction that there is unity in diversity.
• Working in partnership with statutory and non-statutory bodies to share good practices and to ensure that there is no unnecessary overlap and duplication of services.
• Creating a positive image of refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, disabled people and other disadvantaged groups in society.
Our History
Asylum applications in the UK from Sri Lankan Tamils rose significantly between 1983 and early 1990s, following the start of the civil conflict. To assist resettlement of these people, who arrived in north London, the Tamil Refugee Centre was established in March 1992 as an unincorporated community association. In March 1994, the Centre was registered with the Charity Commission as a charitable organisation.
Initially, the services were centred around the immediate needs of asylum seekers, welfare rights, housing, school admissions and access to health services. As the number of Tamil refugees settling in the area increased, the service delivery had to be diversified to meet the changing needs of our beneficiaries. In addition to services in immigration, women, older adults and health specific services,
the most important of all was the setting up of an education and training division in 1995, called the Enfield Education and Training Centre to meet the long-term needs of adults for integration ESOL to overcome language barrier and ICT training and employment support.
To meet the needs of children of asylum seekers and migrants, who faced an additional barrier
than their peers, week-end support classes were delivered from year 5 to 11 to enable them to
excel in their curriculum.
The expansion of the organisation’s activities into diverse communities, particularly in the field of education and training resulted in the review of its aims and objectives and changes to its constitution and status. As a result, a new charity was established with wider objectives, and the original Tamil Refugee Centre was wound up and from October 1998 the new Tamil Relief Centre was established
as a company limited by guarantee with charitable status.
In April 2000 the National Asylum Support Service was established by the UK government to provide accommodation and support for asylum seekers, outside the mainstream welfare support system.
Being the only organisation in North London funded by Home Office to deliver this new service, asylum seekers from all communities accessed this service.
Now our users not merely came from all London boroughs, but even dispersed asylum seekers from outside London, approached us to access their transitional needs. Gradually, service users from other communities became the majority beneficiaries and the name Tamil Relief Centre became a misnomer. Hence again, the name of the organisation was duly changed to the present name of Centre for Social Inclusion and so also the objectives.
Quality Standards & Awards
Enfield Council
Lifetime Achievement Awards 2023/24
“In recognition and appreciation of your many years of dedicated service to the community”, awarded to Mr A Gunesingam
Enfield Council
Lifetime Achievement Awards 2023/24
“In recognition and appreciation of your many years of dedicated service to the community”, awarded to Mrs J. Sivabalasingham
Enfield Council
Lifetime Achievement Awards 2025/26
“In recognition and appreciation of your many years of dedicated service to the community”, awarded to Ms M. Fossett
EVA Award 2023 for Contribution to Community of Enfield
Awarded to Mr A. Gunesingam, Chief Executive of Centre for Social Inclusion
HDR Foundation
Pathfinder Global Community Award 2024, awarded to Aminul MD Islam, Chairman of Centre for Social Inclusion
IAA Regulated Immigration Service
Charity Excellence Quality marked Services
How to Get Involved
Simply complete the form below to join our community of active participants. Whether you want to volunteer, participate in our programs, or partner with us, your voice and actions shape the future of social inclusion.
Together, we can ensure every service we create is truly inclusive.