Health & Wellbeing
We deliver the WRAP mental health programme for women navigating migration traumas, domestic violence, and life crises — alongside direct medical assistance.
East Midlands & Beyond
Holistic support
for African women
building better lives
AWEF gives African women, refugees, and asylum seekers the power to make decisions on their own — through access to information, resources, and a community that understands their needs.
1000s
Women supported
5
Core programmes
80%
Progress to higher education
Women-led organisation
East Midlands based
Refugees & asylum seekers welcome
Holistic & community-driven
Registered charity
Why trust us
Built on transparency & accountability
Every penny donated goes directly to our community programmes. We operate with full financial accountability and zero administrative waste.
100% Transparent
Full financial accountability. Every donation is tracked and reported. Our books are open to members and the public.
Registered Charity
Fully registered charity in England & Wales. Compliant with all Charity Commission requirements and reporting obligations.
Community-Led
Run by African women, for African women. Our leadership and delivery teams come directly from the communities we serve.
Who we are
A frontline organisation led by women, for women
AWEF Charity is one of the leading charities in the East Midlands providing holistic support to African Women. We are a community-based, sustainable support network led by women who understand the needs of women.
We create infrastructure to address inequality across health, education, social inclusion, and economic needs — empowering African women, refugees, and asylum seekers to make decisions on their own terms.
Our community in action
View all activities
Life at AWEF
What we do
Five pillars of empowerment
Every programme addresses a real barrier to advancement — from mental health crises to business growth. Together these pillars create lasting change.
Education
Supporting school fees, uniforms, and essentials for children in need. Over 80% of supported young people progress to higher education.
Social Inclusion
Engaging environments where African women meet others and build meaningful community connections across a range of shared interests.
Economic Empowerment
Practical tools, mentorship, and networks to help women build sustainable businesses — from initial idea through to full deployment.
Environment
Our Green Black Ambassador initiative leads women in addressing environmental issues, connecting grassroots action to the global sustainability agenda.
Our reach
Real impact on real lives
Since our founding, AWEF has touched thousands of lives — from surgeries funded to children supported through school. Our community is growing and so is our ability to serve it.
Support our work80%
Supported young people transition to higher education
5+
Active community programmes running year-round
3+
Nations' diaspora communities served in the region
100%
Women-led from leadership to delivery
Active causes
See all causes
Causes needing your help
Urgent
AWEF Mental Health
WRAP Mental Health Fund — Winter 2025
18 days left
143 donors
Education
AWEF Education
School Fees & Uniforms — Spring Term 2026
34 days left
89 donors
Enterprise
AWEF Enterprise
Women's Business Accelerator — Cohort 3
41 days left
112 donors
Our stories
Real people. Real outcomes.
Tumour-free
I take this opportunity to show my gratitude towards my medical contributions in the year 2021. We thank God that I'm tumour-free. AWEF played a very huge role — 80% of the contributions came from them and the surgery was a success. We cleared the hospital bill and everything needed for my wellbeing. I have no pains or anything and the hair is all grown. May God bless you abundantly — words are not enough but thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.
I love the kids we serve and when love is the motivation, there is no thing that can't be achieved.
Isabelle McKenzie — CEO & President, AWEF Charity
Featured programmes
How we deliver support
Each programme addresses a specific dimension of women's and children's needs — designed by people who understand those needs from the inside.
Mental Health
WRAP — Wellness Recovery Action Plan
Supporting women through migration traumas, domestic violence recovery, and personal crisis — building resilience and long-term wellbeing.
Education
Children's Education Fund
School fees, uniforms, and essentials for orphaned or vulnerable children. Over 80% of beneficiaries progress to higher education.
Enterprise
Women's Business Accelerator
From idea to launch — tools, mentorship, and networks to help African women build sustainable businesses and economic independence.
Environment
Green Black Ambassador Initiative
Engaging women as environmental community leaders — championing sustainability and climate awareness through grassroots action.
How to help
Join us in making a difference
Whether you give your time, your money, or your voice — every contribution directly strengthens the lives of African women and children in our community.
Donate
Your donation funds surgeries, school fees, mental health programmes, and everything in between. Even a small gift creates real change.
Give via PayPal
Become a Member
Join our growing community hub. Access training courses, networking events, the marketplace, and shape what AWEF does next.
Join the community
Volunteer
Offer your skills, time, and energy. Whether you help with events, mentorship, or outreach — your contribution matters enormously.
Get in touch
FAQs
Your questions answered
Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch and we'll be happy to help.
You can donate securely via PayPal on our website. You can also take part in our 50/50 prize raffle. All contributions go directly toward our community programmes — WRAP mental health support, children's education, enterprise development, and more.
We welcome volunteers with all kinds of skills — event support, mentorship, administration, outreach, marketing, and more. Use the contact form on this page to introduce yourself and let us know how you'd like to help. We'll match you to the right opportunity.
Membership gives you access to our community hub — including training courses, networking events, and the marketplace. Register at awefcharity.org.uk/membership-levels. Paid members can set up their own stores and begin selling within hours.
AWEF supports African women, refugees, and asylum seekers across the East Midlands and beyond, including their children. Our programmes are open to anyone who identifies as an African woman, regardless of immigration status or background.
AWEF is funded by individual donations, membership fees, fundraising events, and grants. Donations go directly to community programmes — mental health support, education funds, enterprise development, and social inclusion activities. We maintain full financial accountability as a registered charity.
Community Hub
Be part of something meaningful
AWEF is more than a charity — it's a growing community hub where African women connect, learn, trade, and thrive together.
Training Courses
Courses run in partnership with our growing list of partners — combining learning with a collaborative, social environment.
Networking & Events
Virtual and in-person events with no geographical limits — connect, collaborate, and share with members anytime.
Marketplace
Members buy and sell physical and digital goods in independent stores — set up within hours, fully in your control.
