CARAS

13/08/2026

We spotted a lovely moment in one of our ESOL classes. 💛

Two young people, both just beginning to learn English, didn't share a common language.

During the break, one noticed the other sitting alone. He walked over, picked up a whiteboard and drew something. We never found out what it was.

A few seconds later, they were both laughing.

They'd only known each other for three weeks, but they'd already found a way to connect beyond words.

12/08/2026

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This is one of the hardest things we've ever had to write. For almost 25 years, CARAS has stood alongside people seeking safety as they rebuild their lives with dignity, kindness and hope. Today, we'r

11/08/2026

Every language in the classroom has value. 🌍

Recently, CARAS was invited to present at the NATECLA Annual Conference, where ESOL educators from across the UK came together to share ideas and practice.

We shared our approach to translanguaging, recognising the many languages people already bring into the classroom and using them as a resource for learning, alongside practical examples from our participatory ESOL programme.

We began by exploring just how many languages were represented in the room, highlighting that multilingualism is already a reality in classrooms and communities across the UK. From there, we looked at practical ways translanguaging can support learning in different classroom settings.

It was fantastic to see so much interest in approaches that value lived experience, participation and multilingual learning. Several attendees even told us it was one of the sessions they had most wanted to attend.

We're proud to share CARAS' expertise and unique approach to teaching, and we'd like to thank NATECLA for the opportunity to share our work. We're always keen to connect with organisations looking for training or collaboration around translanguaging, trauma-informed learning, participatory ESOL and supporting mixed-ability classes.

If you're interested in learning more about our approach or exploring training opportunities, we'd love to hear from you. 💛

06/08/2026

We expected to find history. We didn't expect our young people to find pieces of home. 💛

Recently, we visited the British Library, where our group explored the Treasures Gallery together.

One young person came over with a huge smile and asked a member of staff to follow him across the room. He'd spotted an early religious text from Palestine and couldn't wait to show everyone.

A little later, another recognised the name of a scientist from Afghanistan in one of the displays and excitedly shared it with the group.

It was an unexpected moment of connection between London and home. Thousands of miles away, they found something familiar, something to be proud of, and something they couldn't wait to share.

04/08/2026

Recently, we took a day away from our desks to reconnect as a team.

There isn't often time to pause, but spending time together, sharing ideas and reflecting on our work reminded us why we do what we do.

Behind every programme, campaign and casework success is a team of people who care deeply about what they do. 💛

We're grateful for this brilliant team.

30/07/2026

75 years ago, the world made a promise.⁣

The Refugee Convention was created in the aftermath of war to ensure that people fleeing persecution could find protection, safety, and dignity.⁣

For 75 years, it has saved lives across the world.⁣

Today, this promise is under attack.⁣

Access to asylum is being restricted and refugee rights are being challenged. By hostile laws, by demonisation and scapegoating, and by a prioritisation of cruelty and division. ⁣

This anniversary is a call to action.⁣ 📣✊

We call on the Government to uphold the Convention, defend the right to seek asylum, and ensure people seeking asylum can rebuild their lives.⁣

The right to seek safety should never be up for debate.⁣

Today and every day: ⁣ 💜

23/07/2026

Next week, the Words of Courage shop will close, bringing this chapter of the project to an end. If you've been thinking about buying something, this is your final opportunity to own a piece of the collection and support CARAS' work.

Words of Courage was never just a collection. It was about sharing stories with dignity, creating something together, and inviting people to stand alongside those seeking safety. 💛

You can shop the collection via the -link in our bio- before the shop closes!

Swipe through for a little Words of Courage photo dump. 💛

21/07/2026

One of our favourite days out together took us to the Natural History Museum. 🦕

We spent the day exploring everything from dinosaurs to mammals, with many of our community members visiting the museum for the very first time.

We booked ahead so we could head straight in, packed plenty of snacks and water, and spent the day exploring together.

Afterwards, one community member told us:

"Thank you for organising this trip. We enjoyed it a lot and wish to explore more. Again, thanks ❤️ from me and my mum 🥰"

Another shared:

"Thank you for making this day beautiful for us, and a very special thanks for helping me so much with my child. Without you, I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy this beautiful day." ❤️

It's hard to put into words what days like this mean. They're not about where we go, but that we get to go together.

If you'd like to help make more days like this possible, you can support CARAS via the link in our bio. 💛

17/07/2026

For one of our community members, one email changed everything. It meant her family could finally be reunited.❤️

She first came to CARAS in December 2023, hoping to bring her husband and teenage son to the UK through Refugee Family Reunion.

Together, we spent months preparing the application, making sure every detail was in place. We submitted it just three days before new Refugee Family Reunion applications closed.

Then came the waiting.

This May, she finally received the news she had been hoping for.

Her application had been approved.

We're now supporting her to secure a travel loan, so her husband and son can finally join her and begin rebuilding their lives together.

When she heard the news, she simply said:

"Thank you God, thank you, thank you all of them, thank you so much." ❤️

Families belong together. Help us continue providing the casework that makes moments like this possible. 💛 Link in bio.

14/07/2026

Speaking the same language changes more than just the conversation. ❤️

Recently, one of our youth caseworkers carried out a needs assessment with a young person entirely in Spanish.

Interpreters play an incredibly important role, and it's absolutely possible to build strong relationships through them. But there was something really special about speaking directly, allowing the conversation to flow naturally and giving the young person the space to express themselves in their own words.

Language is more than words. These are just some of the languages spoken across the CARAS team!