A CHARITY aimed at assimilating Afghani refugees into British communities has been awarded £9,300 towards new office facilities in Colindale.

Afghan Association Paiwand, based in Hyde House, The Hyde, was granted the funding by the Big Lottery Fund to pay for IT equipment to help improve its service to the minority group.

Bosses said the money will enable them to broaden the advice and support they offer to the refugees who have come to settle in the UK.

Farid Mall, a director at the association, said: “The new facilities will help smooth the integration into the wider community.

“It is meeting our community cohesion agenda. It will make the community feel more aware and educated about the systems in the UK.

“It is important for families who come over with young children and want to offer them schools. They are new to this country and they don't know how to behave when they are faced with issues.”

Paiwand, which means unity, already provides career advice, translation services, guidance on welfare support and social activities for a large number of people of all ages and religions in the Afghan community.

And Mr Mall said he recognises what a generous donation it is to the charity given the difficult economic climate.

He said: “We were very happy to receive the money and are very grateful for the support.

“We were really surprised to receive this level of support because we do understand it is a difficult time for the country and it is a time when people have to save.

“When new arrivals come over they can't speak English so hopefully these new offices will help provide them with interpreters and support workers to reduce the pressure on other local service providers.”

The Big Lottery Fund's Awards for All programme offers between £300 and £10,000 to social and environmental projects that will benefit communities and make a difference to the lives of those most in need.

More than a £1 million was awarded this week to be shared between 125 projects in London, and Alison Rowe, Big Lottery Fund’s Head of the London region, said: “It’s amazing to see what a difference a group can make with a small amount of money.

“We are therefore thrilled to be sharing over £1m with community groups across London this month.”