UK Zimbabwean Community Organisations, Churches and Social Networks: How to Find Your People and Get Support

The UK is home to over 100,000 Zimbabweans, spread across London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Leicester and beyond. Whether you have just arrived, are navigating immigration challenges, or are simply looking to stay connected to home, a network of organisations, churches and online communities exists specifically to support you. ## The Zimbabwe Association The Zimbabwe Association (ZA) is one of the most established Zimbabwean support organisations in the UK, operating as a membership organisation for Zimbabwean asylum seekers and refugees. It provides practical casework support, legal signposting, welfare assistance and advocacy on immigration policy. The ZA has regional drop-in centres in Birmingham, Leicester and Manchester, and offers access to training, volunteering and education opportunities. The organisation also publishes newsletters, research reports and press briefings covering diaspora news and asylum case updates. For those navigating the UK immigration system — including fresh claims, detention issues and legal representation — the ZA is one of the first points of contact worth approaching. Their website is zimbabweassociation.org.uk. ## Faith Communities and Churches For many Zimbabweans in the UK, church is not simply a place of worship — it is the social backbone of community life. Zimbabwean congregations are active across most major denominations and independent Pentecostal churches. The **Zimbabwe National Anglican Fellowship UK (ZINAFE-UK)** is a formal body overseeing Zimbabwean Anglican communities across England and Wales, including structures equivalent to the Mothers Union, Fathers Union and Youth fellowship. ZINAFE-UK holds an Annual General Meeting at the Bernard Mzeki event, which draws Zimbabwean Anglicans from across the country. The fellowship focuses on pastoral care, social welfare and maintaining spiritual links with the Church of the Province of Zimbabwe back home. Contact details for ZINAFE-UK include Phillip Chinyenze (07832 100989, mpchinyenze@aol.com). Beyond Anglicans, Zimbabwean Apostolic, Pentecostal, Catholic and Methodist congregations operate throughout the UK. Churches such as the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) UK have established congregations in multiple cities. These churches often serve as informal community hubs, connecting new arrivals with accommodation leads, job opportunities and emotional support. If you are in a new city and looking for a Zimbabwean congregation, asking at an existing African Christian church is usually the quickest route — word-of-mouth networks within these communities are highly effective. ## Online Communities and Information Portals **ZimbabweansinUK.com** operates as an information portal and broadcast community specifically for Zimbabweans in the UK, with a focus on London. With a claimed following of over 100,000 Zimbabweans, the platform connects members around accommodation, jobs, business advertising and general community matters. It is run under Diaspora Wire, a UK-based newspaper. Contact is available via WhatsApp or SMS on +447311424469. The portal maintains active social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. WhatsApp groups remain the most widely used tool for day-to-day community connection among UK Zimbabweans. Groups organised by city, profession, home region or church denomination proliferate. Joining one credible group often leads to introductions to others relevant to your circumstances. ## Support for Returnees and Those Facing Removal For Zimbabweans in the UK without legal status who are considering or facing return, the **Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC)** administers the Home Office Returns Reintegration Programme. This is a UK government-funded programme offering support before departure and for up to 12 months after return to Zimbabwe. Assistance includes airport reception, short-term accommodation (up to five nights), transportation within Zimbabwe, food packs, small cash assistance, family reunification support, documentation help, counselling, and access to an education and entrepreneurship fund for longer-term reintegration. ZCC can be contacted while you are still in the UK: UK mobile +447446446376, or by email at protection.team@zccinzim.org. Their Zimbabwe office is at 27 St Patrick's Road, Hatfield, Harare, reachable on +263 242 571798. Hours are 08:00–16:30. ## Practical Tips for Finding Your Network - Search Facebook for groups using terms like "Zimbabweans in [your city]" or "Zimbos in UK" — these groups are active and often have thousands of members - Contact the Zimbabwe Embassy in London (429 Strand, WC2R 0JR) for official community event listings - Local African food shops and hair salons in areas with significant African populations are informal notice boards and networking points - The Bernard Mzeki Annual Pilgrimage, held in the UK, brings together hundreds of Zimbabwean Anglicans and is an important cultural and community gathering date - Professional networks for Zimbabwean doctors, nurses, teachers and accountants in the UK also exist on LinkedIn and Facebook — searching by profession alongside "Zimbabwe" or "Zimbabwean" will surface these groups Community connection in the UK diaspora is rarely formal — it is built through churches, WhatsApp groups, shared meals and word of mouth. The formal organisations listed above provide the safety net; the informal networks provide the warmth.