Advice Knowledge Support Information (A.S.K.I)

About the Organization

Advice Support Knowledge Information (ASKI) is a UK charity founded in 2012 and based in Croydon, London. The organisation’s mission is to help individuals overcome barriers to inclusion, whether social, economic, or cultural, through support, training, and community engagement. ASKI focuses on enabling people to gain confidence, learn new skills, and contribute positively to their communities.

Operating as a grassroots community hub, ASKI brings together people from all backgrounds to share knowledge, build networks, and access essential services. Its name—Advice, Support, Knowledge, Information—captures the four pillars of its work: empowering people through learning, signposting them to opportunities, and fostering stronger, more inclusive communities. The organisation’s values are rooted in equality, collaboration, and the belief that everyone deserves the chance to thrive, regardless of circumstance.

Services & Programs

ASKI provides a wide range of community and employability-focused programmes designed to promote independence, wellbeing, and inclusion. Its services blend practical training with personal development and community participation.

Key services include:

• Training and Workshops: Courses that build essential life, digital, and employability skills, helping individuals prepare for work or further education.
• Community Hub and Café: A welcoming space where residents can meet, socialise, and access informal learning and advice sessions.
• Volunteering and Internships: Opportunities for individuals to gain experience, develop confidence, and contribute to community projects.
• Economic Inclusion Initiatives: Projects such as “Pathways to Economic Employment,” aimed at supporting people into training and work through tailored guidance.
• Health, Culture, and Wellbeing Activities: Events and classes designed to improve mental health, reduce isolation, and strengthen social bonds among participants.

ASKI’s approach combines structured learning with holistic support, recognising that many people need both practical skills and personal encouragement to move forward.

Who They Support

ASKI supports individuals who face multiple barriers to participation and opportunity. This includes:

• People experiencing social isolation or loneliness.
• Those with disabilities or long-term health conditions.
• Migrants, refugees, and individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Older adults seeking engagement and purpose in later life.
• People seeking training, volunteering, or routes into employment but lacking access to traditional services.

The organisation also works collaboratively with local authorities, charities, and employers to ensure individuals are referred to appropriate services and opportunities beyond its own provision.

Regional Coverage

ASKI is based in Croydon, serving the local community as well as residents from surrounding London boroughs. Its physical hub on London Road acts as a central point for training, volunteering, and advice. Through partnerships and outreach programmes, ASKI extends its reach across South London and works with regional networks to increase access to education and employment support for underrepresented groups.

While the charity’s roots are local, its impact stretches city-wide, with many of its projects designed to tackle broader social challenges such as unemployment, digital exclusion, and community isolation across London.

Role in the Employment Landscape

Within the UK’s employment and community support landscape, ASKI plays a crucial bridging role between individuals in need of support and the organisations that can help them progress. Unlike a recruitment agency, ASKI focuses on developing the underlying confidence, skills, and connections that help people become job-ready.

By providing early-stage intervention—training, volunteering, and wellbeing support—ASKI helps individuals overcome the social and emotional barriers that often precede unemployment or exclusion. It complements the work of recruitment agencies and job programmes by preparing individuals for sustainable engagement in work or education. In doing so, ASKI contributes to the wider goal of reducing inequality and fostering inclusion within the UK labour market.

Summary

ASKI (Advice Support Knowledge Information) is a Croydon-based charity dedicated to helping people build skills, confidence, and social connections through training, volunteering, and community activities. Its inclusive programmes empower individuals facing barriers such as isolation, disability, or lack of opportunity to achieve greater independence and access employment pathways. For job seekers needing a supportive foundation before entering work, ASKI offers a trusted, community-centred route to empowerment and growth.