Tamil Welfare Association (Newham) UK (TWAN) was established in September 1986 to provide services to the Tamil migrant community.Currently we are a Registered Charity (No: 1047487) as well as a Company Limited by Guarantee (No: 2962857). As required under recent changes in Immigration and Asylum Law, we have been exempted by the Immigration Service Commissioner to provide advice and casework in the field of Immigration and Asylum. In April 2003, we passed the annual audit by the Immigration Service Commissioner. We have also been awarded Community Legal Service Quality Mark Status Level 2 for General Help with Casework in the fields of Welfare Benefits, Housing and Immigration. Following the provisional period of this award, in August 2003 we were awarded Specialist Quality Mark Status.

Organisation History
Tamil Welfare Association is a user-led community organisation providing a range of services to the Tamil-speaking refugee community in London. This organisation was formed in 1986 as a self-group and is still controlled and run by the member of the community. The organisation is governed by a Board of Directors of 10 members elected by the general members of the organisation at an Annual General Meeting. At present we have two full-time paid members of staff: an Advisory Worker, appointed in November 2002 and a Case Worker Manager, employed in August 2003. In addition, a group of ten volunteers assist with service delivery during weekdays.

Objectives of Our Organisation
TWAN aims to relieve persons of the Tamil Community from poverty, homelessness, distress and isolation due to dislocation through advocacy, practical support and representation. We also aim to bridge the gap between service providers and the community. Beside, we aim to improve the quality of the life of children, women, families, disabled people and refugees through a range of specific services, programmes and projects.
Our present activities include the provision of advice and information with casework to Tamil refugees and asylum seekers on immigration, welfare rights, accommodation, education and employment matters. We also provide our clients and other professionals with Tamil translation and interpreting services. In addition, we run other activities including a holiday play-scheme, supplementary lessons, and an after-school club for children, a day centre for elders and other cultural activities.