Great Work Deserves Great Fun

Name: Student Welfare Association Portsmouth
Address: 3 St. Georges Square, Portsmouth, England, PO1 3EY

We traded our hard work for a day of teamwork and shared memories during our recent excursion.

400+

Members

Events Organized

Collaborated Events

Fast

Growing

Working Together for Portsmouth's Bangladeshi Community

TCL Global

Strategic Partner & Sponsor

Portsmouth Bangladesh Business Association

Community Partner

Bangladesh Welfare Association Portsmouth

Community Partner

Get the Support You Need

Stay engaged through events, webinars, and workshops, and follow our communication channels for the latest updates.

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Connect

Meet mentors and fellow students who'll grow your network — and become your friends.

Participate

Show up to events, workshops, and webinars that build your skills, your confidence, and your circle.

Moments We've Shared

Photos from our events, festivals, and get-togethers moments..

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Stories & Guides

Practical advice and real stories from the SWAP community in Portsmouth.

September 5, 2026

Beyond the Student Years: How Bangladesh Welfare Association Portsmouth Supports the Whole Community

SWAP is here for your university years — but Bangladesh Welfare Association Portsmouth (BWA) has been supporting the wider Bangladeshi community here since 1963. Here's what they actually do, and how to reach them.

September 5, 2026

You Are Not Alone: Support for Women Facing Domestic Abuse or Feeling Unsafe in Portsmouth

If you're a woman in Portsmouth facing domestic abuse or feeling unsafe, real, confidential help exists, including support that understands South Asian and Bangladeshi cultural context. Here's exactly who to contact.

September 5, 2026

CV and Cover Letter Writing: Why the UK Format Is Different (and How to Get It Right)

The CV that got you noticed in Bangladesh could get you rejected in the UK — before anyone even reads it. Here's what's actually different, and where to get free, expert help sorting it out.

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What's Happening at SWAP

The latest announcements and upcoming events for our community.

EventJuly 8, 2026

CRICKET TOURNAMENT – SEASON 3.0 (2026)

📅 𝖣𝖺𝗍𝖾: 𝖲𝗎𝗇𝖽𝖺𝗒, 𝟤𝟨 𝖩𝗎𝗅𝗒 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟨 📍 𝖵𝖾𝗇𝗎𝖾:𝖥𝖺𝗋𝗆𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗍𝗈𝗇 𝖢𝗋𝗂𝖼𝗄𝖾𝗍 𝖦𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗇𝖽, 𝖯𝖮𝟨 𝟣𝖴𝖶 💷 𝖤𝗇𝗍𝗋𝗒 𝖥𝖾𝖾: £𝟧𝟧 𝗉𝖾𝗋 𝗍𝖾𝖺𝗆 📝 𝖱𝖾𝗀𝗂𝗌𝗍𝗋𝖺𝗍𝗂𝗈𝗇 𝖣𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗅𝗂𝗇𝖾: 𝟤𝟤 𝖩𝗎𝗅𝗒 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟨 📌

EventJuly 2, 2026

Responsible AI: Smarter Study, Faster Learning

🎙️ 𝖥𝖺𝖼𝗂𝗅𝗂𝗍𝖺𝗍𝗈𝗋: 𝖣𝗋. 𝖬𝗈 𝖧𝗈𝗊𝗎𝖾 📅 𝖣𝖺𝗍𝖾: 𝟫 𝖩𝗎𝗅𝗒, 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟨 ⏰ 𝖳𝗂𝗆𝖾: 𝟩 𝖯𝖬 – 𝟫 𝖯𝖬 📍 𝖯𝗅𝖺𝗍𝖿𝗈𝗋𝗆: 𝖮𝗇𝗅𝗂𝗇𝖾

EventMay 13, 2026

Eid Reunion & Cultural Program 2026

🗓️Date: Sunday, 31st May, 2026 ⏱️TIME: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm 📍Venue: Buckland Community Centre, Malins Rd, Portsmouth, PO2 7BT

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About Us

Founded by Bangladeshi alumni and students at the University of Portsmouth to combat isolation, SWAP (Student Welfare Association Portsmouth) has grown from an informal gathering at Canoe Lake Park into a vibrant community network. Our core focus is providing comprehensive support that empowers our members to succeed academically, professionally, and personally:

Career Guidance & Mentoring

Connecting members with experienced alumni to unlock professional growth, industry insights, and career confidence.

Settling In & Daily Support

Assisting with accommodation guidance and practical advice to ease the transition to life in Portsmouth.

Cultural Connection & Community Action

Bringing home closer through vibrant festivals, shared traditions, and active involvement in environmental awareness and local community events.

Sports & Recreation

Engaging students and alumni through regular activities like cricket tournaments and recreational sports to build teamwork and active connections.

Well-being & Peer Support

Fostering a welcoming environment built on mutual strength so no newcomer feels left behind.

Vision & Mission

Our Mission

To foster a vibrant, supportive community that empowers Bangladeshi students and alumni of the University of Portsmouth to thrive academically, professionally, and personally. We are dedicated to enhancing overall well-being, building lasting connections, and creating pathways for mutual success both locally and globally.

Our Vision

To be the definitive bridge for Bangladeshi scholars in Portsmouth—transforming individual potential into collective strength. We envision a connected, resilient community where every newcomer finds guidance, every student reaches their academic peak, and every professional unlocks new horizons through collaboration and mutual support.

Our History

The Student Welfare Association Portsmouth (SWAP) was born out of a shared vision among a dedicated group of Bangladeshi alumni and students at the University of Portsmouth. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by newcomers arriving in the UK for higher education, these founders noticed a recurring issue: while many Bangladeshi students came to Portsmouth to study, many eventually became isolated or scattered across the city. Determined to bridge this gap, a core group—including Mohammed Mia, Fuad Jamali, Anwar Habib, Saroar Karim, and fellow peers—came together with a common goal: to unite, support, and empower the Bangladeshi community in Portsmouth so everyone could thrive together.

Milestones That Shaped Us

August 5, 2024
The very first brainstorming meeting took place outdoors at Canoe Lake Park, laying the foundational ideas for the organization.
September 20, 2024
SWAP hosted its inaugural cricket tournament, successfully engaging students and alumni through sport and building early momentum.
October 30, 2024
The official networking event brought in over 100 members on opening night, marking a major turning point for the community.
Feb 25, 2025
Marking a new chapter, SWAP established its first Executive and Advisory Committee for the 2025 term, formalizing its leadership structure to better represent and support the wider Bangladeshi community in Portsmouth.

Since then, SWAP has continued to move forward without stopping, growing into a vibrant, supportive family that welcomes every new Bangladeshi student and alumnus to Portsmouth.