10,000+
People helped over the years
Our Impact
In May 2021 we ran a community engagement survey to measure the impact of our work. We received 150 responses through digital and physical entries, and supported people who are digitally excluded or face language barriers to take part. This page summarises the evidence of the difference MACWO is making for mothers, children and families across West and North London.
Impact at a glance
30+
Nationalities reached
3
Offices in London
Shepherd's Bush, Wembley, Roehampton
150
Survey responses
What our community told us
98%
gained new skills they use in day-to-day life
96%
gained skills that make them more employable
90%
of school-aged respondents feel more confident at school
94%
have a better understanding of their rights and where to get support
People supported (last 12 months)
60 people in accredited training (IT, Social Care, First Aid)
399 supported with Census completion (among highest-performing community centres in the UK)
120 individuals and families with COVID-19 emergency support
55 supported with family and parenting issues
60 ex-offenders supported with rehabilitation and reintegration
120 attended information-sharing meetings
Our services in detail
MACWO offers a range of services to address the complex needs of our communities. We focus on developing capabilities and skills as a pathway out of disadvantage, with a person-centred approach.
Youth work
We run youth clubs, sports and cultural activities, team-building, and community safety and online safety training. We support around 35 young people each year. Programmes include Good for Girls (mental health for girls 10–14, with London Youth), football training, and mentoring with boxing and talks on youth issues (with Prevent). We have taken teenagers to international football tournaments and created volunteering roles for young people in IT, social media and Universal Credit support.
Homework support & tutoring
Since 2017 we have run a homework club for teenagers at risk of exclusion, with mentoring and an evening meal. 25 young people benefited in the last 12 months. We have also helped 50 young people access training programmes run by other organisations, and we arrange work experience with local schools.
Ex-offenders and prison support
We support people leaving prison with benefits, housing, employment and mentoring to reduce reoffending. We run a prison visiting programme and work with families to reconcile. Around 60 ex-offenders were supported in the last 12 months.
Skills training
We deliver accredited IT (City & Guilds Level 1–3), Social Care Level 3, LearnMyWay and First Aid (Safe Cert). All courses are run by accredited professionals with cultural awareness. 60 individuals took part in accredited training in the last 12 months.
Family and parenting support
We run parenting classes, Parents Champion (8-week mentoring with ASÉ CIC), and work with schools where there are cultural or communication barriers. 55 individuals were supported with family and parenting issues, and 25 with family advice and mediation in the last 12 months.
Information sharing & community
120 people attended our information-sharing meetings (on mental health, addiction, obesity, immigration, vaccinations). We run Shah iyo Sheeko (‘storytelling at teatime’) peer-support groups and moderate a WhatsApp group with 250 beneficiaries. We supported 40 individuals to access public services (GP, NHS, benefits, vaccines) in the last 12 months.
Covid-19 emergency response
During the pandemic we provided emergency support to our community. 120 individuals and their families received relief, including:
- Delivery of food supplies and medicine to those in need
- Telephone-based community connect service to share government advice and reduce isolation
- Support for bereaved families, including bereaved prisoners at HMP Wormwood Scrubs
- Online peer support groups and exercise classes
- Debt relief support (help with utility bills)
- Homework support for young people worried about GCSEs and A Levels
- Signposting to mental health support and loan of laptops for those digitally excluded
Evidence of need
British-Somalis are one of the largest ethnic minority groups in the UK but are often considered ‘hard to reach’ and face significant inequalities in education, employment, housing and health. Our work is informed by this context:
- Employment: In our survey, 22% of respondents said they were not employed and not in education or training. Older women often face language and qualification barriers; young men face stereotyping and lack of professional networks.
- Education: British-Somali children have historically underachieved; exclusion and referral to Pupil Referral Units are concerns. We work with children at risk of exclusion and their families.
- Discrimination: Research shows young British Somali men experience high rates of stop-and-search and negative media portrayal. We bring police and young people together in safe spaces to build understanding.
- Health and vaccine uptake: Ethnic minority communities have been hit hard by the pandemic but are more likely to be hesitant about vaccines due to mistrust and misinformation. We provide culturally sensitive information and support.
Lessons learned
What works well
We successfully reach people in entrenched deprivation who do not access mainstream services. Mistrust, shame and lack of information create severe poverty and invisibility—we address this through consultation and co-production with service users and external agencies. All our services are developed from the lived experience of our staff and beneficiaries. Our Shah iyo Sheeko sessions have built trust over many years so we can discuss sensitive issues that are rarely talked about in our community.
Challenges
We work with people who are far from accessing mainstream services on their own. We must respond to emergencies and spend time with each person before introducing structured support. This requires intensive staff time and engagement with emotionally difficult issues. We are developing policies and training to support our staff, but resources are often stretched.
The future: our Community Hub
We are planning a Community Hub at our Shepherd's Bush office so beneficiaries can access multiple services under one roof. Our survey showed strong demand:
- 85% of respondents said they would be ‘very likely’ or ‘likely’ to use a hub offering IT lessons, English classes, health sessions and exercise.
- Top requested services: IT lessons (60%), English language classes (48%), health information (44%), exercise classes (42%).
- 76% said they would be likely to have their vaccination at the hub; 75% said they were more likely to receive a vaccine at the hub than at an NHS facility.
We plan to develop a computer suite, exercise equipment and outdoor space, and to deliver IT training, adult social care training, ESOL, youth mentoring, Shah iyo Sheeko sessions, court and prison support, exercise sessions, NHS health information and a vaccination centre in partnership with local services. All services will be free to participants.
Who we serve
MACWO is Somali-led and based in West London. We specialise in helping the Somali community but welcome everyone. We reach individuals from 30+ nationalities and work with people of all ages, with a focus on women and young people who face the greatest barriers.
Our three offices in Shepherd's Bush, Wembley and Roehampton are run by four paid staff and five long-term volunteers. We build trusted relationships to deliver training, advice and services to those who need it most.
Reports and publications
Read more about the evidence behind our work and the voices of the people we support.
Building Trust Project (MACWO)
This report shares learning from MACWO’s Building Trust project, highlighting how trusted relationships, culturally-sensitive support and co-production help mothers, children and families to access services and feel heard.
Impact Report 2025
Our 2025 impact report summarises the difference MACWO is making across our programmes, with key statistics, stories from beneficiaries and an overview of our partnerships in West and North London.
Impact Report 2021-2024
Our 2021-2024 impact report summarises the difference MACWO is making across our programmes, including key statistics and evidence of change for mothers, children and families.
Building Trust Listening Event 2023
This booklet captures feedback from our 2023 Building Trust listening event, where community members, partners and service users shared their experiences, priorities and ideas for future services.
Help us grow our impact
Support mothers, children and families across London. Donate, volunteer or partner with us.