London’s Armenian Community Center wins award
Acton-based Center for Armenian Information and Advice (CAIA) has been recognized for its work supporting London’s Armenian community after winning the Best Service Promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion award at the inaugural Advising Londoners Awards.
The event, held on November, 18, 2025, at law firm Clifford Chance in Canary Wharf, brought together advice agencies from across the capital for a celebration organized by the Advice Services Alliance and University House.
CAIA won the award in a category that also included Hammersmith and Fulham Law Center and the Work Rights Center on the shortlist.
The Center for Armenian Information & Advice wins award. Photo: CAIA
The award recognises CAIA’s work providing practical, legal and welfare support to Armenians and those connected to them, many of whom have arrived in the UK from the Middle East and former Soviet republics over the past three decades.
Speaking at the ceremony, CAIA’s chief executive, Misak Ohanian, said: “We are immensely proud, humbled and grateful to have been recognized by our peers at the inaugural Advising Londoners Awards 2025. Thank you for this honor. We remain committed to serving you.”
Founded in 1986, CAIA supports one of the largest Armenian communities in the UK. Around 20,000 Armenians live in London, including 3,000 in the borough of Ealing alone. The organization provides advice, advocacy and community support to around 1,000 households each year.
In 2024–25, the charity assisted 527 people born in 28 different countries and delivered 1,289 advice sessions with 3,493 individual interventions. It says housing and homelessness issues represent a significant part of CAIA’s work. In 2024–25, it dealt with 338 cases involving overcrowding, poor conditions and long waits for social housing.
The Armenian Bishop of the UK, Hovakim Manukyan, praised the award as an important recognition of the organization’s contribution. In a statement, he said: “This recognition is truly well-deserved. It highlights the dedication, professionalism and compassion of your staff, trustees and volunteers. Your work strengthens not only the Armenian community, but also the many individuals and families across London who benefit from your services.”
He added that CAIA’s commitment to “equality, dignity and inclusion” served as a powerful example to others working with diverse communities across the capital.
