“We have supported over 3,000 young people in London to excel and thrive in leadership — nurturing them to go on and do amazing things while strengthening the local economy.”
Founded in 2006 by Yeukai Taruvinga, a young refugee, Active Horizons was created to support local young people to integrate and access the workforce. Today, the community hub delivers creative arts and sports programmes, mentoring opportunities, and education that tackles racism in schools.
“I think we bring culture. Most of our customers are not Ukrainian, it’s their first time trying Ukrainian food and hearing the music — they love it. Small businesses, refugee businesses, it’s important to give them support.”
Lisa Tataryna founded her vegan café and patisserie, Cream Dream, in Covent Garden in 2022 after fleeing the war in Ukraine. She transformed the space into a café in just 30 days and, with support from her sister, who managed her social media during blackouts in Kyiv, built a thriving customer base.
“We’re a business and social enterprise serving the local community. We also run stand-up comedy events and offer barista training to asylum seekers and refugees, supporting their integration into the job market.”
Usman Khalid runs Haven Coffee in Walthamstow. After arriving in the UK as a refugee in 2007, he founded the business in 2019 with a passion for social entrepreneurship and a commitment to meaningful change, as well as delicious coffee.
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