Pillars of NOMAD's Ethos:

Journey to justice: Through justice advocacy we equip young people with skills and create a platform to amplify the voices of young people, highlighting the injustices they face, and providing them with the necessary tools to navigate existing systems by understanding and taking back the power

Leadership : Supporting young leaders to initiate local initiatives and establish connections with groups nationwide, offering a spectrum of training opportunities tailored to meet the diverse needs of young people from migrant backgrounds, including those with refugee experiences.

Inclusive Community: Fostering an inclusive space for young people, regardless of cultural, religious, sexual, gender, or immigration differences. This space encourages relaxation, self-discovery, and exploration through diverse experiences, promoting a sense of belonging and acceptance.

Who We Are

NOMAD stands as a collective of compassionate and enterprising individuals committed to effecting meaningful change in communities and society at large. Our community comprises diverse members, each from varying walks of life, all unified by our shared values of friendship, respect, and humanity.                                                     

We celebrate an array of religions, cultures, disabilities, skills, experiences, knowledge, and personalities, fostering an inclusive space where we teach, support, challenge, and inspire one another. 

NOMAD reflects the world we envision for future generations, embodying principles of impartiality, equality, participation, recognition, and taking back our power.

“Our vision is of a world within which all young people are thriving within a joyful sustainable society”

Where We Started

As a grassroots charity established in 2016 by people with lived experiences from Refugee backgrounds. Based in Harrow, North-West London, NOMAD is dedicated to addressing the root causes of societal issues rather than merely treating their symptoms. We are staunch advocates for those whose voices are often unheard, particularly marginalised and misunderstood young people who face demonisation or dehumanisation from society. 

We are committed to creating with young people an open, welcoming and safe space that acts as a home-away-from-home for young people, offering respite from the pressures of home, school, and culture. Our initiatives equips young people with tools to recognise and understand their power, to recognise their potential, navigate oppressive systems, and avoid complicity.

Where We are Now

NOMAD operates from the Arc House Cafe, where we provide support and opportunities for young leaders, especially those from refugee and migrant backgrounds. Our focus lies in cultivating a vibrant network of young leaders, hailing from various countries, enabling them to drive positive change within their lives and the wider community. 

Our efforts are geared towards fostering true integration and providing the necessary training and support for young leaders to independently guide their peers.

Since our launch in Feb 2020 we have worked with over 2,200 young people at the Arc house.

Nomad from 2022-2023 has worked in partnership with Clear Thinking Consultancy to develop our 5-year strategy which has included reflecting on the impact our work has had over the last 10 years. We are fully committed to develop sustainably for the future which meant for a short period in 2022/23, we slowed down our projects in order to do some deeper thinking and evaluation. We wanted to create a strategy which is not confined to the pages of a document but is a living, breathing testament to the dynamic nature of Nomad. It anticipates challenges, embraces change, and harnesses the energy of a passionate team and community to dream big! who all share lived experiences and understanding of what it means to be young people growing up in the UK from refugee backgrounds. Nomad envisions a future where collaboration transcends boundaries. Our strategy hopes to foster partnerships that go beyond the ordinary, creating a network where the sum is truly greater than its parts. We are not just building a strategy; we are cultivating a movement, a force for change that echoes far beyond our immediate sphere.

Together, with our dedication to social change, we are poised to redefine the landscape of community-led impact, celebrating the richness of diversity and charting a course towards a future where the dreams of young people shape the reality of tomorrow. At the core of this transformative process have been the voices and stories of our community—people with lived experience and from refugee backgrounds—who, with courage and grace, worked to shape our collective future. With support and funding from Paul Hamlyn we spent this time of learning to create something that is tangible. We continue to pull in outside knowledge and expertise to guide us through this process, we want our systems and structures to represent us, not just to function in the charity sector but to truly enable people with lived experiences to thrive within a structure that is guided and informed by our realities. We worked closely with Kita Ikoku, Clear Thinking Consultancy, to develop Nomad’s strategic plan for the next 5years.

  • Our vision is of a world within which all young people are thriving within a joyful sustainable society.

    At NOMAD, our commitment to working WITH rather than FOR young people from refugee or migrant backgrounds is deeply rooted in core values that guide every aspect of our work.

    These values: impartiality, participation, recognition, and equality are the bedrock of our organisation's ethos, ensuring that every interaction and initiative reflects these principles:

  • At NOMAD, we maintain an unwavering commitment to fairness and understanding, ensuring that every individual is treated with equal respect and consideration.

    Without regard to gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or personal background, our impartial approach ensures a level playing field for all, fostering an environment where everyone is valued and respected.

  • Our methodology participatory action research

    We work under the principles of "PAR" participatory action research, where young people can work collectively together engage in the issues that affect their lives, finding solutions and taking action to bring about real change in their lives and the lives of others.

    We strongly believe in the power of active involvement and engagement.

    We encourage the active participation of all, taking back the power in order to have a voice in shaping the initiatives and programs that directly impact their lives. Their active involvement ensures a sense of ownership and relevance within the NOMAD community.

  • We deeply value and acknowledge the experiences, struggles, and unique perspectives of every individual. By recognising and appreciating their diverse backgrounds and the challenges they may have faced, we create an environment that validates their journey and celebrates their strengths and resilience.

  • Within NOMAD, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an environment of equality. We strive to create a safe space where cultural, religious, or immigration differences do not create barriers.

    Our aim is to ensure that each individual is treated equitably and has access to the same opportunities, support, and resources. This dedication to equality is at the heart of all our initiatives and services, promoting an inclusive and fair environment for all our community.

Our Objectives

NOMAD's core objectives are centred on four fundamental principles, namely, support, inclusion, and equipping young people with the right tools to understand the the power they have, especially for young individuals with refugee or migrant backgrounds, who have been stripped of their rights because of oppressive systems.

As a dynamic resource centre situated in Harrow, NOMAD is deeply committed to cultivating a strong and interconnected network.

This network provides unyielding support, nurtures emerging leadership, and taking back our power and actively spearheading positive transformations in their respective communities.

These four pillars underpin our mission:

  • Our commitment to offering comprehensive assistance and guidance to young individuals from refugee or migrant backgrounds is unwavering.

    We provide a nurturing and inclusive environment where they can access the support they need.

  • At NOMAD, we advocate for the term ‘inclusion’ over ‘integration’ as it embodies more than just the assimilation of young people from refugee backgrounds into the community.

    This term underscores our commitment to establishing a welcoming and supportive environment together, where young people feel not only integrated but also valued and included.

    We prioritise the creation of an environment that not only encourages a seamless blending but also celebrates the diverse tapestry within our community.

    Recognising the significance of fostering a sense of belonging for all, our efforts focus on inclusivity as a means to build a supportive and nurturing environment.

  • Nomad is dedicated in working WITH young people to take back the power. The process of equipping young individuals with the knowledge, skills, resources, and opportunities they need to actively participate in decision-making processes and create positive change in their communities and society. It involves fostering a sense of agency, encouraging youth leadership, and providing platforms for young people to voice their opinions, advocate for their rights, and contribute to shaping their own futures. By learning about the power you develop confidence, critical thinking abilities, and a sense of ownership over your own life, this enables us to make informed choices, address social issues, and drive meaningful progress

    Through guidance, mentorship, and a supportive network, we equip them with the tools they need to make a meaningful impact.

  • Our methodology participatory action research these principles are at the core of our work.

    We work under the principles of "PAR" participatory action research, where young people can work collectively together engage in the issues that affect their lives, finding solutions and taking action to bring about real change in their lives and the lives of others.

    PAR challenges the traditional assumption that only professional researchers, institutions and service providers possess the relevant knowledge needed for research and solutions . It recognises that individuals and communities with lived experience often have the most valuable insights and expertise that should be recognised and included. We hope to disrupt this system by taking back the power and be the voices of our own lived experiences.

    PAR aims to support intercultural dialogue between those whose knowledge and interests have historically been marginalised, and treated solely as objects of research, and those experts and institutions in dominant positions.PAR encourages professional researchers to abandon the myth of neutrality and become more fully involved in struggles related to people who are experiencing oppression.