Rebuilding Lives. Strengthening Communities.
1997 — A Community Response in Willesden Green
As government‑funded support via the Refugee Council came to an end, a group of Bosnian war survivors and former refugees in Willesden Green saw members of their community at risk of isolation, poverty, and despair. Drawing on their own experiences of war, displacement, and survival, they founded the Bosnia and Herzegovina Community Advice Centre (BHCAC)—a lifeline for people rebuilding their lives in a new country.
From a modest space in St Andrew’s Church, and supported by initial funding from Trust for London, BHCAC began with a clear mission: help survivors regain stability, dignity, and hope. What started as a grassroots, volunteer-led initiative has, over nearly three decades, grown into a professional, trusted community institution.
Growing Expertise, Deepening Impact
Today, BHCAC is staffed by trauma-informed, multilingual advisers, empowering individuals and families from Brent’s diverse communities to overcome poverty and inequality, and thrive through trusted support.
In its early years, when the needs of war survivors were particularly complex, BHCAC commissioned in-house legal and mental health specialists to address profound legal, emotional, and social challenges—demonstrating a commitment to holistic, community-driven support.
Rising from Trauma: A Community of Resilience
In the early 1990s, Bosnian refugees arrived in London after enduring war, genocide, and forced displacement—often with no English, limited resources, and deep emotional scars. They didn’t wait for help—they built it themselves. Through self-help networks, cultural preservation, and mutual support, resilience emerged from hardship.
BHCAC was born from that spirit, bridging the Bosnian community with wider society and creating pathways to recovery, integration, and belonging. Today, we carry that ethos across Brent’s diverse communities, empowering individuals and families facing poverty and inequality to move from survival to stability and from isolation to belonging.
Expanding Our Reach and Influence
2008 — Breaking Language Barriers
As demand for Serbo-Croat language support grew in London, BHCAC expanded its services to refugees and migrants from other five Western Balkan countries—Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia—while preserving its distinct Bosnian identity and cultural heritage.
2018 — Supporting All of Brent
The rollout of Universal Credit revealed a borough-wide need for Welfare Benefit Rights advice and person-centred support for the most vulnerable residents. In response, BHCAC launched outreach services at Harlesden and Willesden Green Libraries, providing expert support to residents from every background across Brent.
Year Ending March 2025
In the past year, BHCAC supported 957 individuals, demonstrating the depth and reach of our work in Brent. 93% of the people we supported were Brent residents, reflecting our strong commitment to the local community.
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Africa: 30%
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Asia: 22%
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Middle East: 19%
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Europe: 9%
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Western Balkans: 7%
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Caribbean: 7%
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British: 4%
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Other backgrounds: 2%
Empowering the Most Vulnerable
Many of the people we support face significant challenges:
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61% identified as disabled
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74% were unemployed
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9% were non-English speakers
Across Life Stages
We support people at all stages of life:
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85% of working age
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9% aged 65–74
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6% aged 75+
These figures reflect our commitment to inclusion, social justice, and equity, ensuring that people facing multiple disadvantages have the opportunity to thrive with confidence and independence.
Building Stronger, More Inclusive Communities
Expert, multilingual advice:
Our advisers provide trusted, person-centred support with professionalism and integrity.
Social contribution beyond crisis:
Our programmes help people integrate, participate fully in society, and contribute economically.
Cultural preservation and belonging:
We celebrate Bosnian heritage while championing diversity, equality, and inclusion across Brent.
Our Legacy
Courage, Compassion, and Community-Led Change
Founded by survivors of war and displacement, BHCAC is proof that lived experience can be transformed into lasting social impact. For nearly three decades, we have helped thousands move from uncertainty to independence—lives rebuilt, voices empowered, communities strengthened.
As new challenges arise, our commitment remains unchanged: uphold dignity, champion equality, and ensure no one is left behind. Our legacy is not only about where we have come from—it is about the future we are building together.