June 2025 Bulletin

The time will come when, with elation you will greet yourself arriving at your own door, in your own mirror and each will smile at the other’s welcome,

and say, sit here. Eat. You will love again the stranger who was yourself. Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

all your life, whom you ignored for another, who knows you by heart. Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,

The photographs, the desperate notes, peel your own image from the mirror. Sit. Feast on your life.

‘Love After Love’ by Derek Walcott

Commenting on this poem, Safiya Sinclair wrote:

“This poem is a balm I return to often, heartened by how candidly it invites the reader to find solace in solitude.

To see there is luminous beauty in having time with oneself, being able to slip once more into the forgotten nectar of your old life, and drink. Which makes it the perfect poem to revisit in this time of great isolation, when we must spend these undressed hours with ourselves, and try to make a daily feast of it.”

Summer has brought vibrant energy to our community, with a host of events and initiatives blossoming across Asha.

In recent weeks, we’ve seen a renewed sense of connection with neighbours becoming friends, volunteers stepping forward, and joy rippling through our shared spaces.

From gardening projects to lively gatherings, the spirit of inclusion and welcome has never been stronger.

It’s been a season where old traditions are cherished and new memories are made side by side, reminding me of the power of coming together in kindness.

Our Sentinel page – a true reflection of Asylum

As part of the Refugee Week Celebration, our Asha community collaborated with Friends of Hanley Park to litter pick in the park. This was a wonderful opportunity for volunteers, service users, staff and local people to work together to help keep our local area tidy and more beautiful.

Our Refugee Day Celebration brought together Asha, Citizens Advice, and local community members to celebrate our fantastic asylum and refugee community with a barbecue, music, dancing, and fun for the children, and ice cream.

Our volunteers played a huge role in helping the day to be a success. 40 volunteers – a mixture of 16 local people and 24 user volunteers – worked as a team to welcome visitors, serve delicious food, keep people hydrated in the hot weather, and give children a memorable time having their face painted and hands henna’d, with some getting creative by making superhero costumes.

Our Asha spirit shone through even during some rain showers!

Darcy

Thanks to everyone who donated children’s books. Our users are beginning to take a book home, and we hope this will become a habit. At present, we have enough to replenish our stock.

An Asha member enjoys watching village children pass by on a float as part of the Goostrey Rose Day festival parade.

Many thanks to Goostrey Rose Festival for inviting Asha to their festival day.

30 Asha members enjoyed a day in the country watching traditional floats, marching bands, maypole dancing and the crowning of the Rose Queen.

Huge thanks also to parents at Goostrey Primary school for generously donating money so that each Asha child had money to spend on the stalls and the games.

We had a stall with handicrafts made by Asha members and raised nearly £100 in donations.

We felt very welcome. Thanks to all who made it possible.

Asha CEO, Godefroid Seminega, together with YMCA representatives

Once a month, the YMCA hosts a community lunch for a diversity of local people and organisations.

Last month it was Asha’s turn.

It was reported that Asha cooked up a treat. No surprise there. Asha has a reputation for good cooks as those who attend Friday lunches will testify.

Godfrey and Keita were pleased to present Galaxy Club to a Migrant Help conference in London. The Conference was called Connecting Sectors, Working with Youth Migrants.

The Club offers connection, care and community, a safe, welcoming and empowering space, where unaccompanied young people can heal, grow, and thrive.

These young people are fostered around North Staffordshire. Attending the club will very probably be the first time they have met others like themselves and feel less alone.

Sports, games, yoga, creative and outdoor activity – peer led or by a community partner – nourish the young people’s emotional well-being and resilience.

The event took place at the Derby Football Hub in Chaddesden

Asha participated in the Derby Refugee Week Football Tournament, now an annual event, organised by the Derbyshire Refugee Solidarity in partnership with Derby County Community Trust.

Asha was thrilled to win the Refugee World Cup for the third time, as well as clinching the Europa League Cup.

There were 16 teams from various communities like Nottingham Forest, Derby Laverstoke, Leicester City, Port Vale, and others.

Asha 1 played the final against Nottingham Forest 1. The match ended in a draw and Asha eliminated Nottingham Forest 1 on penalties to win the Cup.

On 7th June, Asha proudly joined the vibrant People’s Parade hosted by Stoke-on-Trent City Council to mark its centenary celebrations.

It was an uplifting occasion that brought together communities from across the city to honour 100 years of resilience, diversity, and civic pride.

Asha’s team, volunteers, and service users marched with joy, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and strength of refugee and asylum-seeking communities.

Our presence not only celebrated Stoke’s legacy but also affirmed our shared commitment to inclusion, hope, and the power of togetherness.

Events like these remind us that every voice and every story enriches the fabric of our City.

Since September 2024, Asha has proudly delivered over 30,000 contact services, offering vital support and connection.

During this period, we also warmly welcomed 1,228 new adults and 161 children and young people into our programmes, each a powerful reminder of the trust placed in Asha’s mission.

These growing numbers reflect the deepening impact of our work and the expanding reach of compassion, inclusion, and hope.

Special thanks to Angela Glendenning for compiling the information for the bulletin.

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THANK YOU.

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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