Introduction
The Board of Trustees of the Farsi Action Foundation (FAF) is pleased to present the Annual Trustees’ Report for the year 2025.
Throughout the year, the Board of Trustees maintained close oversight of the organisation’s activities, governance, financial performance, and community impact. The Trustees are pleased to report significant progress across the organisation’s programmes, together with continued improvements in the quality, reach, and effectiveness of FAF’s community services.
During 2025, FAF recorded 7.69% financial growth, reflecting increased community engagement and strengthened organisational capacity.
FAF remains committed to supporting Farsi-speaking communities and the wider community in the United Kingdom through education, cultural engagement, mental health support, equality and human rights advocacy, refugee and migrant integration, and community cohesion.
The following report summarises FAF’s principal achievements and activities during 2025.
1. Education
Education remains one of FAF’s core priorities. During 2025, the organisation continued to deliver its English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses, while expanding the curriculum to include modules on British history, social ethics, and civic values. These additional subjects were introduced to strengthen participants’ understanding of British society and support their positive integration and participation in community life.
Alongside the ESOL programme, FAF continued its weekend educational classes for children, including Farsi, English, and Mathematics. With approximately 45 regular attendees each weekend, these classes have played an important role in improving children’s academic confidence, language skills, cultural awareness, and sense of identity.
The programmes also provide children from refugee, migrant, and disadvantaged families with a safe and supportive environment in which they can develop friendships, confidence, and positive relationships with their peers.
2. Mental Health Support in the Community
Mental health continues to be an important area of need within the communities FAF serves. During 2025, the organisation strengthened its mental health and wellbeing activities through a number of partnerships and community-based programmes.
Key activities included:
- Collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Society UK on dementia and memory-awareness activities.
- Engagement with Central and North West London NHS Talking Therapies, including participation in conferences and the development of referral pathways.
- Receiving direct referrals from NHS Social Prescribers in West and North-West London.
- Delivery of a six-week Mental Health Booster Programme, attended by approximately 15 participants each week.
These initiatives have helped improve access to culturally appropriate mental health information and support for Farsi-speaking community members. They have also strengthened FAF’s position as a trusted community partner and an important link between local communities and mainstream health and support services.
FAF also continues to promote awareness of mental health, reduce cultural stigma, and encourage community members to seek professional support when required.
3. Equality and Human Rights
FAF continued its work promoting equality, human rights, and social justice during 2025, with particular attention to the situation in Afghanistan and its impact on diaspora communities in the United Kingdom.
A major highlight was the organisation of the high-profile event:
“Influence of Regime Change on Human Rights in Afghanistan and South-East Asia.”
The event was held at Brunel University London in collaboration with the Brunel Research Centre and PRISA.
The programme explored human rights concerns, regional instability, the impact on diaspora communities in the UK, restrictions on women’s education and participation, and the growing risks associated with radicalisation.
Following analysis and discussion of the situation in Afghanistan, FAF Trustees and senior representatives also held meetings with Gareth Thomas MP and Dawn Butler MP, presenting recommendations concerning the humanitarian and educational challenges facing Afghanistan and the potential contribution of the UK in addressing these issues.
4. Bringing the Community Together
Reducing social isolation and strengthening community connections are important elements of FAF’s work.
During 2025, FAF organised eight Persian Poetry Nights in London, each attracting approximately 80 attendees. These events provided a welcoming environment where community members could meet, build friendships, share their experiences, celebrate cultural heritage, and participate in literary and artistic activities.
FAF also organised a major Nowrooz celebration in London, attended by more than 400 people from diverse cultural backgrounds, including communities from Afghanistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, and other backgrounds.
The event brought communities together through music, poetry, traditional arts, cultural activities, and social interaction. It provided an important opportunity to celebrate shared heritage while promoting intercultural understanding and community cohesion.
In addition, FAF continued its regular chess sessions, providing children, young people, and adults with opportunities for positive recreation, social interaction, critical thinking, and confidence-building. The programme has become an important part of FAF’s youth engagement and community wellbeing activities.
5. Cultural Events and Heritage Preservation
Preserving language, culture, literature, and heritage remains central to FAF’s identity and charitable work.
In 2025, FAF successfully organised an International Mother Language Day celebration, attended by more than 300 participants.
As part of the celebration, FAF presented:
- Three Qand Parsi Awards
- Four Appreciation Plaques
These awards recognised distinguished scholars, poets, musicians, and other individuals for their valuable contributions to cultural preservation and community development.
FAF also organised two book-launch events, supporting authors and encouraging the documentation and preservation of cultural and historical narratives within diaspora communities.
These activities provide opportunities for community members to celebrate their heritage while encouraging younger generations to remain connected to their language, literature, history, and cultural identity.
6. Collaboration with Local Organisations and Authorities
During 2025, FAF continued to strengthen its partnerships with local organisations and public bodies to improve service delivery and increase its impact within the community.
FAF worked closely with:
- H4All
- REAP
- Other local voluntary and community organisations
These partnerships strengthened referral pathways, improved access to support services, and increased collaboration across the local voluntary and community sector.
FAF representatives also participated in meetings and conferences organised by the London Borough of Hillingdon, including engagement with the Mayor of Hillingdon and local councillors.
These engagements provided opportunities for FAF to raise awareness of the needs and experiences of Farsi-speaking residents and to ensure that their views and concerns were represented within local decision-making processes.
7. Governance and Trustee Board Updates
The Trustees are pleased to report that FAF continued to maintain strong standards of governance, transparency, and accountability throughout 2025.
The Board regularly reviewed the organisation’s activities, financial performance, community impact, and strategic development. Following its review of the organisation’s progress during the year, the Board remains confident in FAF’s strategic direction and leadership.
The Trustees were also pleased to welcome Mr Said Erfan Kazem as a new Trustee. His experience, knowledge, and professional expertise are expected to make a valuable contribution to FAF’s strategic development and future growth.
The Board extends its appreciation to all Trustees, staff, volunteers, partners, and community members whose commitment and contribution have supported FAF’s work throughout the year.
8 .Additional Cultural and Educational Advocacy Work
At a time when women and girls in Afghanistan continue to face severe restrictions on education and public participation, FAF strengthened its commitment to supporting female resilience, intellectual freedom, education, and cultural expression.
As part of this commitment, FAF organised the official launch of Professor A. Khaliq Lalzad’s newly published work, Scientific-Practical Solution to Afghanistan’s Ethnic & Structural Crisis.
The event was held at Brunel University London as part of a dedicated conference session and provided an important academic platform for discussing Afghanistan’s structural challenges and the need for inclusive, rights-based solutions.
FAF also proudly hosted the launch of young poet Mrs Sahar Karimi’s new poetry collection at Aga Khan University in London. The event welcomed approximately 150 attendees, demonstrating strong community support for women’s education, artistic expression, and resilience in the face of ongoing restrictions in Afghanistan.
The event was not only a celebration of literary achievement but also an opportunity to demonstrate solidarity with Afghan women and girls whose access to education and cultural participation remains severely restricted.
Through these activities, FAF reaffirmed its commitment to promoting women's voices, protecting cultural heritage, encouraging intellectual and artistic expression, and opposing educational restrictions and gender-based discrimination.
9. Participation in Academic, Social, and Cultural Events
Throughout 2025, FAF actively participated in a range of academic, social, cultural, and community events organised by partner institutions and community organisations.
FAF representatives participated in the PRISA Conference at Brunel University London, contributing to discussions under the theme:
“Can South Asian Muslims Succeed in the UK?”
The conference provided an important platform for discussion around integration, identity, social mobility, and the experiences of diaspora communities.
FAF also attended an event organised by ADA at City St George’s, University of London, engaging with academics, practitioners, and community leaders on issues affecting diaspora and migrant communities.
In addition to academic engagement, FAF remained actively involved in cultural celebrations across London, including Nowrooz and other significant community events. These activities enabled FAF to strengthen relationships with diverse communities, promote intercultural understanding, and reinforce its role as a trusted and active community organisation.
10. Refugee and Migrant Support
Supporting refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and disadvantaged communities remains an important part of FAF’s work.
Throughout the year, FAF provided daily information, advice, advocacy, and signposting services to newly arrived refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and other community members.
The organisation supported individuals to access:
- Education and training
- Employment opportunities
- Healthcare services
- Housing support
- Welfare and benefits advice
- Community services
- Social integration opportunities
FAF also supported individuals referred through Social Prescribing and community support pathways, helping people overcome barriers, reduce isolation, and engage more effectively with appropriate services.
This work has helped individuals and families become more independent, develop stronger community connections, and participate more positively in UK society.
11. Community Wellbeing, Culture, and Social Inclusion
FAF continued to use cultural and community activities as an effective means of reducing isolation and promoting wellbeing.
Persian poetry evenings, literary events, book launches, cultural celebrations, and educational activities provided community members with opportunities to meet others, establish friendships, share knowledge, and maintain connections with their cultural heritage.
These activities are particularly important for individuals who may have limited family or social networks in the UK. By creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces, FAF helps community members develop supportive relationships and improve their overall sense of belonging.
12. Support for Education and Literacy in Afghanistan
Alongside its work in the United Kingdom, FAF has maintained its commitment to education and literacy initiatives in Afghanistan.
Following the successful implementation of its 2023–2024 education programme, FAF continued educational activities through community learning centres in Kabul, Ghazni, Paktia, Ghor, and Takhar provinces.
Despite significant challenges, FAF continued to support educational opportunities for girls in Kabul and Ghazni.
As part of its commitment to promoting literacy and maintaining a culture of reading, FAF also maintained a community library in Gardez, Paktia Province, containing more than 3,000 books.
In addition, hundreds of books were distributed to rural communities across Afghanistan to encourage reading, lifelong learning, and educational development among children and young people.
These activities demonstrate FAF’s continued commitment to education and access to knowledge, particularly for communities facing significant barriers to educational opportunities.
13. Impact and Community Engagement
The activities delivered by FAF during 2025 demonstrate the organisation’s continued commitment to improving the lives of individuals and strengthening communities.
Through education, mental health support, cultural engagement, refugee and migrant support, equality and human rights advocacy, and community partnerships, FAF has created opportunities for individuals to improve their skills, confidence, wellbeing, and participation in society.
The organisation’s approach combines culturally appropriate community support with links to mainstream services and professional organisations. This enables FAF to act as an effective bridge between communities that may experience language, cultural, or social barriers and the wider services available to them.
FAF is committed to continuing this work while developing new partnerships, strengthening its organisational capacity, and expanding opportunities for the communities it serves.
Conclusion
The Trustees of the Farsi Action Foundation are proud of the achievements made during 2025. The organisation has demonstrated resilience, growth, and increasing community impact across its key areas of work.
From education and mental health support to cultural preservation, refugee and migrant integration, equality and human rights advocacy, and local partnership development, FAF continues to play an important role in supporting Farsi-speaking communities and contributing to wider community cohesion in the United Kingdom.
The Trustees recognise that these achievements would not have been possible without the commitment and dedication of FAF’s staff, volunteers, partners, supporters, and community members.
The Board extends its sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed to FAF’s work during the year. We look forward to building on this progress, strengthening our partnerships, expanding our services, and creating an even stronger, safer, healthier, more inclusive, and empowered community in the years ahead.
Your sincerely
Jamal Haidari
Chief Executive Officer
Karim Karim
Chairman
On behalf of the Board of Trustees
Farsi Action Foundation