YOU NEVER REALLY KNOW
You never really know the true impact you have on those around you.
You never know how much someone needed that smile you gave them.
You never know how much your kindness turned someone’s entire life around.
You never know how much someone needed that long hug or deep talk.
So, don’t wait to be kind.
Don’t wait for better circumstances or for someone to change.
Just be kind because you never know how much someone needs it.
Nikki Banas
DIANE AND SUE’S ENGLISH BEGINNERS’ CLASS (September 2023 – July 2024)
This year our beginners’ class has welcomed men and women (and some children) from a variety of countries and backgrounds. Some have come from villages where they have had little or no formal education. Others come from towns and cities and have had a good education in their own country. This provides a challenge when trying to plan lessons as those with little previous education who find learning a new language far more difficult.
In each lesson we include speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities. We believe in having fun and making the lesson as enjoyable and interactive as possible. There is a lot of laughter in our classes! We try to meet the needs of each participant and plan each lesson based on our assessment of the progress they are making. As group members can fluctuate and change, this is quite a challenge. One woman, a regular member since September, has gained in confidence. She could barely say her name in English and now she is confident to speak out and proud of her newfound ability.
The social aspect of our class is important because it is an opportunity for people to come together and enjoy each other’s company.
Our final session was a visit to the Potteries Museum when we were joined with Chris’s class. The group enjoyed exploring the museum and then we all met in the café. Each confidently and politely ordered their own drink and choice of cake, a measure of how far many of them have come. The café staff were wonderfully patient, and Chris generously paid the bill.
ON THE FRONTLINE
Staff working at the forefront of an organisation offering services to people in need will face moments of despondency and feelings of inadequacy. A listening ear is often all on offer to alleviate someone’s pain or stress.
Racism and abuse is a familiar feature of everyday life for many but the rioting and violent disorder on 10th August was of a different order. It was more serious and impacted on a great many more people.
Tamba is in little doubt that:
‘The UK needs to accept men and women seeking asylum with love and compassion. Most have come from war torn countries, some with unimaginable scars of abuse. Since love supersedes all, love is the answer. The men and women we call asylum seekers today are the workforce of tomorrow. Engaging them early will lay the foundation for good citizenry.
“At Asha, we pride ourselves on taking the little steps that impact the lives of our service users. We provide holistic support to better equip our users to withstand whatever the outcome of their application for asylum. Our community learning activities include topics like anti-social behaviour, rubbish collection, domestic violence, safe neighbourhoods, relationship, the law, fire prevention, health and safety, you name it! Members of the police sometimes call in and If you come from a country where if a policeman stops you, you will never be released without ‘greasing his palm,’ you need to know that bribery is crime.
A & B CHARITABLE TRUST
Asha was awarded a small grant to help provide emotional support and respond to additional needs deriving from the widespread violence across the UK in August.
Some of this grant was used to enable staff and local and asylum volunteers to relax at a barbecue and enjoy good food, good cheer – and a bit of lively dancing as they geared up to respond to what seems like an ever rising tide of human need.
Pictures show Jingo, with fellow actor, Connie, from New Vic Borderlines. And Eli, Ali, Kaveh and Sahar singing – with Kaveh playing the setar.
(‘Voices From’ was part of a Creating Peace Conference, which included morning a cultural animation and interactive creative workshops on ‘Say Your Peace’ and ‘The Sky Above, which were attended by members of the public. Rajmi Fischman delivered an Audio Visual futuristic history and, in closing, participants were invited to make a Pledge for Peace).
NEW VIC THEATRE: ‘Voices From’
Jackie reporting: We know there is a wealth of talent among the Asha community – it is like the most universal of universities.
So when the New Vic Theatre approached us asking if we would like to be involved in a brand new theatre play, we were sure we could help.
Five Asha members were recruited to appear in the latest drama documentary from New Vic Borderlines. The play entitled ‘Voices From’ was created in a week and performed to an audience to mark World Peace Day.
Kavah, Sahar, Eli, Ali and Jingo contributed to the content of the play and then acted and sang in it, bringing songs from Iran and Uganda.
Director Susan Moffat was so impressed that Jingo may now appear in a further play, and Sahar and Eli were invited to visit an Afghan community in Staffordshire with the New Vic Theatre to translate to the audience on behalf of the director.
ANYA AND THE POTTER
Twenty-five parents and children enjoyed a Saturday morning watching an enchanting play which took place in three different places.
The production, ‘Anya and The Potter,’ began in the lost luggage department of Stoke Station featuring a young girl arriving into the city from China with very little except a broken teapot.
From here we were transported back in time to 1974 and soon found ourselves walking out of Stoke Station and onto a vintage double decker bus, where the comic performance continued with Asha members joining in a karaoke of 1970s hits.
Anya and The Potter’ was written and performed by GreenHouse Theatre. The two writers and directors had visited Asha and led a workshop to research how it felt to arrive in a new city. Some Asha members who attended the performance said they recognised what they had said reflected in the play.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO ANGELA GLENDENNING
Kevin Sauntry, Chair of the Board of Trustees, presented Angela with a memento in recognition of her unwavering services to Asha.
Angela’s contribution as secretary and frontline volunteer, providing essential services, truly met our charity’s quest to provide the gift of hope.
Her service to Asha is beyond measure.
On behalf of everyone at Asha, thank you, Angela.
HATE CRIME – LET’S PUT A STOP TO IT
Citizens Advice, as part of a Victim Gateway Service, is circulating a new leaflet, United Staffordshire Against Hate.
A Hate Crime is defined as any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on, or perceived to be based on a person’s race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity.
If you are someone seeking asylum you are unlikely to lift your head above the parapet. Many local people feel the same and will very often suffer in silence.
Citizens Advice
If a person contacts Citizens Advice, their needs will be assessed. They will be provided with advice and information and, more importantly, they can be allocated a Volunteer Care Coordinator to provide practical and emotional support.
This matters! There is no need to go it alone.
For more information, please contact help.usah@staffsvictimsgateway.org.uk or call 0330 0881 339.
CONTACT US
Follow us on Facebook
Office: 01782 363122
Godfrey Seminega, Services Manager (works full-time): seminega@asha-uk.org
Jackie Gregory, Wellbeing Co-ordinator (works part-time Tuesday, Friday and occasional Saturdays): jackie@asha-uk.org
Lydia Mugoyikazi, Women’s Club Co-Ordinator and Caseworker (works part-time Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday): lydia@asha-uk.org
Helen Ranford, Finance and Administration (works Tuesday to Friday): helen.ranford@asha-uk.org
Facinet Keita, Digital Health/IT and Unaccompanied Young People Support Worker (works Monday to Thursday): keita@asha-uk.org
Tamba Musa, Asylum Guide, Social Inclusion and Men’sSupport Worker (works Tuesday to Saturday): tamba@asha-uk.org
Charity Reg. No. 11769634 (England & Wales) Company No. CE013097
