New Year Message from the Executive Director
Happy New Year 2026!
It is the year of the horse - symbol of strength, vitality, and ambition. It gives me additional hope to boost confidence in entering the new year.
For many members of East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) communities, the past year has been marked by both increased uncertainty and resilience. We are navigating constantly changing and complex immigration systems, insecure work, rising living costs, separation from family and home, racism and identity-based discrimination, and the emotional weight of combined challenges. At the same time, we have witnessed the extraordinary strength and resilience of individuals and communities, and SEEAC has been honoured to work alongside people who have reached out to us to improve their situations and communities coming together to support one another.
Throughout the year, working with the communities during challenging times, I have been reminded of one belief that we at SEEAC share - that everyone deserves dignity, safety, and the opportunity to thrive, regardless of who they are and where they come from. I am extremely proud of our team for being on the frontline delivering vital support services, and creating safe spaces for community connection, healing, and mutual support.
In 2025, the SEEAC team has:
Launched our very first Impact Report to reflect and celebrate SEEAC’s first 5 years of operation since 2020.
Provided 95 individuals with casework assistance navigating challenges around employment, welfare, housing and wellbeing. Some of these cases involved extremely difficult situations such as modern slavery, homelessness, destitution and mental health crisis.
Provide 32 individuals in need with free culturally sensitive mental health counselling, and 30 community members with group therapy sessions.
Organised 26 community workshops and activities such as yoga, art therapy, ICT training, and information sessions on immigration and asylum process, attended by around 20 people per event on average.
Organised our first Cultural Festival “Homegrown” to mark the ESEA Heritage Month in September, attended by over 200 people.
Conducted community-led research addressing challenges of ESEA migrants with insecure immigration status and co-developed a new initiative to enable lived-experience-led/centred support.
Continued being part of the movements campaigning for the rights of migrants and refugees and tackling racism and inequality, including submitting joint recommendations to UK Government during its 7th State Review under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).
These reflect the power of community-led actions and the importance of listening to the voices of those most affected. These achievements have not been possible without the behind-the-scenes efforts to strengthen SEEAC as an organisation.
We have invested resources in developing our organisational infrastructure, building internal systems to enable more effective and collaborative teamwork, and improving the organisation’s capacity to support the team navigating difficult times, ensuring their well-being and supporting their personal growth.
In early 2025, we expanded our Board of Directors, welcoming 4 new non-executive directors bring wealth of experiences and professional skills in various fields. Last month, the Board held their Away Day to strengthen its collective leadership and effective governance of the organisation with hopes and aspiration into the New Year.
Looking Ahead in 2026
We know the challenging environment locally and globally will continue to impact the lives of our communities, but SEEAC is committed to continuing our work to address them, building on our collective learning.
Above all, we will continue to centre compassion, integrity, and trust in everything we do to build a generous and inclusive society where ESEA communities can thrive and be resilient.
This January marks 6th anniversary of SEEAC since the organisation was formally incorporated. We are no longer a “new” organisation. As we enter a new phase, I am reminded that all SEEAC’s achievements belong to you all - every member of our SEEAC family — the community members we work alongside, our board, staff and volunteers, and our partners and supporters. Your trust, courage, and commitment shape our organisation and our collective work. SEEAC stands in solidarity with our fellow organisations in the charity and voluntary sector in the UK, who are working to defend the rights and welfare of marginalised and racialised communities, including migrants and refugees.
To everyone who has walked alongside us — whether by seeking support from us, volunteering time, sharing expertise, partnering with us or offering financial and non-financial support — thank you. Your belief in SEEAC inspires us every day, and we look forward to continuing this journey with you in 2026 and beyond.
In solidarity,
Mariko Hayashi
Executive Director, SEEAC