Aar Foundation
Charity 1155376
Overview
Summary
AAR Foundation appears to be a community-rooted charity using a physical centre, education, creative culture and practical aid as interconnected ways to build confidence, belonging and support in Washwood Heath, Birmingham and potentially beyond. Its distinctive role is not solely service provision: it seems to combine neighbourhood infrastructure with faith-inspired cultural activity and interfaith bridge-building. The available evidence suggests an organisation seeking to grow from locally focused community-centre origins into a broader platform for compassion, creativity and partnership.
Operational geography
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Ward End
Confidence: high
The organisation identifies The HeArt Centre Dergah as the space where many AAR Foundation programmes take place, and the centre’s official website identifies it as being in Ward End, Birmingham. This substantially supports an active programme base in Ward End rather than merely a correspondence address.
- AAR Foundation, Our Network
States that The HeArt Centre Dergah is a Birmingham hub which provides the space where many AAR Foundation programmes take place, including dhikr and interfaith gatherings. - The HeArt Centre Dergah, official website
Identifies the centre as being in Ward End, Birmingham. - AAR Foundation, official website
Lists AAR Foundation’s contact location in Birmingham.
Remaining uncertainties
- The evidence confirms a Ward End programme venue but does not identify the locations, frequency or current status of individual workshops, food aid, soup kitchens, classes, concerts or interfaith events elsewhere in Birmingham.
- AAR Foundation’s website describes work 'across Birmingham and beyond' and support for vulnerable people in Birmingham, but does not provide a current service-location list. This supports a broader Birmingham-facing role, but not the inclusion of further specific wards.
- The Charity Commission record reports that the charity operates in Birmingham City, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Worcestershire. This supports a regional overall footprint, but the available material does not show whether activity outside Birmingham is regular current delivery, occasional projects, or beneficiary reach.
- No material partnership evidence was found that establishes additional Birmingham operational locations beyond The HeArt Centre Dergah.
Additional evidence needed
- A current programme calendar, annual report or impact report naming event and service venues, dates and neighbourhoods.
- Confirmation from AAR Foundation of which services are currently delivered at The HeArt Centre Dergah and whether it is a charity-managed site, a shared venue or a partner venue.
- Current evidence of delivery in Walsall, Wolverhampton and Worcestershire, including project names, venues and dates.
Areas of work
- Amateur Sport
- Arts/culture/heritage/science
- Education/training
- General Charitable Purposes
- Human Rights/religious Or Racial Harmony/equality Or Diversity
- Overseas Aid/famine Relief
- Religious Activities
Who they help
- Children/young People
- Elderly/old People
- Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
- Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A community centre is likely the organisation's enabling infrastructure
The charity appears to use, or aim to develop, a community-centre model as the base from which it can convene residents, deliver activities and connect with public and voluntary bodies.
Why it matters
This suggests its role may extend beyond running individual projects. A maintained shared space can make the organisation a local connector and a potential host for collaboration among groups that otherwise operate separately.
Show evidence
“The objects include establishing, securing, maintaining and managing a community centre.”
Source:Charity Commission“The charity helps by providing buildings, facilities or open space, services, and advocacy, advice or information.”
Source:Charity Commission
Creativity appears to be a route into wider social support
Creative arts, music and culture appear to function as engagement tools alongside education and hardship relief, rather than as separate cultural programming.
Why it matters
This may help explain how AAR Foundation reaches people who may not initially seek formal support: cultural participation can create trust, confidence and relationships that make education, advice or aid more accessible.
Show evidence
“The foundation describes education, creative arts, community aid and interfaith work as core areas of activity.”
Source:Organisation“Workshops for children, young people and women were delivered to develop creativity, confidence, self-esteem and collaboration among diverse people.”
Source:Charity Commission
The organisation may bridge faith-based identity and broad civic inclusion
AAR Foundation appears to draw inspiration from a nasheed group while presenting its work as inclusive, interfaith and open to diverse communities.
Why it matters
This positioning may give it relationships and cultural legitimacy within particular communities while enabling it to act as a bridge across religious and social boundaries. That combination could be a distinctive local asset.
Show evidence
“The foundation states that it was inspired by the vision of the nasheed group Aashiq Al Rasul.”
Source:Organisation“The foundation describes interfaith work as building bridges across communities.”
Source:Organisation“The objects seek to benefit inhabitants without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, nationality, race, or political, religious or other opinions.”
Source:Charity Commission
- Whether the community centre is currently operated, where it is located, and how widely it is used.
- Which communities and neighbourhoods are reached beyond Washwood Heath, and whether some groups remain less visible in delivery.
- How the organisation works with statutory bodies, other charities and interfaith partners in practice.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent annual reports or impact data showing programmes, participant groups, locations and outcomes.
- Details of centre use, partner organisations, referral routes and recurring collaborations.
- Evidence of how education, arts, aid and interfaith activities connect for participants over time.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
To develop the centre for public benefit to better cater for the needs of children, young people, elderly, disabled and women. Delivered workshops for children, young people and women to engage their creativity and further develop their confidence, self esteem and collaboration amongst diverse people.
Charity objects
TO PROMOTE THE BENEFIT OF THE INHABITANTS OF WASHWOOD HEATH AND SURROUNDING AREAS WITHOUT OF SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AGE DISABILITY, NATIONALITY, RACE OR OF POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS OR OTHER OPINIONS, BY TOGETHER THE SAID INHABITANTS AND THE STATUTORY AUTHORITIES, VOLUNTARY AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS IN A COMMON EFFORT TO ADVANCE EDUCATION AND TO PROVIDE FACILITIES IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE FOR RECREATION AND LEISURE TIME OCCUPATION WITH THE OBJECT OF IMPROVING THE CONDITIONS OF LIFE FOR THE SAID INHABITANTS; TO ESTABLISH, OR SECURE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMUNITY CENTRE AND TO MAINTAIN AND MANAGE THE SAME (WHETHER ALONE OR IN COOPERATION WITH ANY STATUTORY AUTHORITY OR OTHER PERSON) IN FURTHER OF THE SAID OBJECTS.