March April 2025 Bulletin

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Margaret Mead

We will be celebrating on Saturday, 21st June, and we’d love you to come.

If you would like to contribute, please BRING CAKE!

Refugee Action’s focus for 2025 is to renew its advocacy for people seeking asylum in the UK to have the right to work, a ban the government currently maintains.

On average, Asha supports 350 people from 74+ different countries weekly. Their need outpaces our resources.

It’s easy for staff to feel bad about being unable to do everything they wish to. However, service users witness staff and volunteers doing their best, and this is appreciated.

Some, who have been relocated, get in touch asking where they can find another ‘Asha!’

He has to ‘leave to remain’ and this is his farewell message:

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Asha North Staffordshire for their unwavering support during one of the most challenging times in my life. As a young African gay asylum seeker, I arrived in the United Kingdom burdened by the trauma and fear inflicted upon me in my home country. The welcoming and inclusive environment provided by Asha became a sanctuary where I could begin to heal and rebuild my life.

Through volunteering with your charity, I discovered a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. Your encouragement and the opportunities you offered allowed me to regain my confidence and significantly improve my mental wellbeing.

While volunteering, I acquired additional computer skills through Asha’s database information system, connected with people from different countries, and learned about other cultures.

I also improved my English speaking and writing abilities, which has been invaluable. Moreover, built meaningful relationships and enhanced my interpersonal skills. My role at the reception, where I welcomed and greeted visitors and peers, helped me build meaningful relationships and enhanced my interpersonal skills.

Your non-judgmental approach and genuine care helped me overcome barriers and reminded me of my worth, proving that kindness knows no boundaries.

Thanks to your support, I feel empowered to move forward as I relocate to a new city as a refugee. I deeply appreciate the guidance you provided about my rights, including the right to identification, which has given me a sense of belonging and dignity.

I am honoured to sign this statement with my real name, proud of the progress I’ve made and the journey ahead.”

Jingo Ibrahim

Reflecting on Jingo’s participation in New Vic Theatre Borderlines, Sue Moffatt recalls:

“We were with Jingo when he received the news about his right to remain which is a far too rare but lovely moment.

He has played such an important part in the work of the New Vic, telling moving stories of migrants and the contribution, optimism and humanity they bring to our shores, and our lives.

Jingo made such a powerful speech following our performance of ‘Voices From’ which was performed on the main stage at the New Vic to a large audience including dignitaries such as the late Mayor of Newcastle-under-Lyme.

He called on the audience to find time to not only listen to the voices of migrants, but to also go back out into the world and act with compassion and humanity and make a difference for the better.”

Sue is driving Jingo to his new address in Birmingham and she will help him make connections there.

Service users tapped into the history of Stoke-on-Trent by taking part in a six week pottery class.

They created plates of food in clay, pots, and tiles which they decorated with coloured slip. The workshops reminded some people of home; one Eritrean woman even created an entire coffee set!

Three sessions were held at the Tuesday women’s group and three at Asha’s Galaxy group for young people. The Galaxy group even had a trip to the British Ceramic Biennial (BCB) ceramic studios.

Their work was shown at a celebration event at Stoke Library and may later appear in the official BCB exhibition, which opens in September.

The workshops are part of the BCB Slip Tales project, which aims to bring people together to explore the ceramic heritage of the city.

It is led by ceramic artist, Sue Blatherwick, and arts therapist, Monica Cru-Hall.

Everyone said how much they had enjoyed making and painting pottery, and that it was relaxing to work together and good for their wellbeing.

Women from across the world including Sudan, Iran, Iraq, Albania, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Syria, Jordan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sierra Leone, came together at Asha to celebrate International Women’s Day.

We made headbands out of flowers, danced, painted henna on hands and nails, made moons and stars from paper plates, and handed out cakes.

Women at the Tuesday group had made banners and drawn portraits of themselves and their friends, which were put on display for everyone to see.

We know many women have suffered discrimination and a painful journey to Stoke-on-Trent, but for this day we came together to celebrate our strength in unity and to enjoy letting our hair down.

Jackie

“I am very excited to share my experiences as a volunteer with Asha.

I joined this organisation for various reasons, but the most important one is my desire to contribute to improving the lives of others. Asha provides educational and social services to underprivileged communities, allowing me to take steps towards creating positive change.

As a volunteer, I have participated in various activities, including conducting educational workshops and assisting with social programs.

These experiences have not only allowed me to learn new skills but have also helped me build deeper connections with diverse individuals and draw inspiration from their stories.

Additionally, these activities have improved my English skills, and now Asha feels like family to me here in the UK.

Working with Asha has helped me enhance my ability to make friends and strengthen my stress management skills. Furthermore, this experience has instilled in me a sense of usefulness and worth, which is very important to me.

I understand well that every small step can make a significant impact on others’ lives, and this sense of responsibility and hope drives me forward.

I have learned a lot from this experience, not only about the challenges that communities face but also about the power of empathy and collaboration.

I hope that by continuing my work with Asha, I can help bring about positive changes in the lives of others while also growing personally. Thank you for this opportunity.”

Fereshte Rahimi

We are very sorry that Miriam is leaving us. It seems only a short while since she returned from her visit to Australia.  However, she has good reasons. She is returning to be near her family in Bristol.

Reflecting on her time with Asha, Miriam says:

“It has been an absolute pleasure working for ASHA over the last 3 years. There aren’t really the words to fully encapsulate the sense of community and belonging ASHA creates for both service users and staff alike.

I, like many others, have found a home and family here. I will miss being part of this vibrant centre, hearing music from all around the world, sharing stories from ‘home’ and of course working so closely with all our wonderful children and young people.

Highlights of mine must be the various trips I helped to organise for our lovely families, seeing children’s faces light up, alongside hearing their squeals of excitement as we arrived at places like the circus and Llandudno beach. Memories that will stay with me forever.

I am excited for this next chapter in life, I’ll be moving down to Bristol to be closer to my Mum and Sister. I’ll also be taking my new campervan, so watch this space for camping adventures over the summer!”

Nurunn, who will be working alongside Lucie as Children’s Support Worker, was formerly working with Savana, the long established service offering counselling and support services for anyone who has been affected by sexual violence.

Tragically, Savana has lost its funding and Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire have lost this valuable service. Nurunn comes to Asha with her valuable experience, which can only be of benefit to our service users.

Stoke-on-Trent Library, in partnership with Asha, is offering Asylum and Refugee Support twice a week. Jeaninne Murebwayire and Armin Menati will be on hand to offer support with e-visa applications and accessing other online services.

As part of social inclusion, development and integration of Asylum seekers and Refugees, Asha, in collaboration with Friends of Hanley Park, engaged in the beautification of the park by planting colourful flowers in sensitive areas.

This came about as a result of a Friends of Hanley Park monthly meeting with stakeholder organisations including Asha. As a way of giving back to the community, Asha volunteers helped plant flowers to beautify one of the most enviable public spaces in Stoke.

The Asha volunteers were not only encouraged to be volunteers of the park but also join Friends of Hanley Park and spread the message about proper usage of this great green space.

All friends of the park applauded Asha’s participation including Chairman, Tom Pine, Secretary, Patricia Smith, and Nikki Hanks, the Commercial Manager who doubles as the Volunteer Coordinator.

Tamba, Asylum Guide and Social Inclusion Coordinator

This event was several months in the planning. It was organiser, Angela Gilmore’s, persistence that paid off. Commenting afterwards, Angela said:

“I am delighted that, after a slow start, we had good support from two churches and from the wider village community who donated food, cash and helped at various points of the day.  Special mention must be made to Jill Brown, the farmer, who took time out from her hugely tiring schedule to show us around her farm.

I felt that the children, and hence their Mums, appreciated the various activities. We, in Goostrey, were delighted at their enthusiasm and hope they will come again, cement the link between our two communities, and make for a mutually enriching relationship in years to come.”

Jackie, Asha’s Wellbeing Worker said:

“The trip was a great way for children to end their Easter Holidays. Some will have spent much of it in a hotel room, with no funds or means to go anywhere. Trips like this are a great experience that boost self-confidence and give the children something to talk about when they return to school. Parents can relax, enjoy the fresh air, and enjoy being guests and meeting new people. For some it brought back memories of childhoods spent in the countryside or growing up on farms.

“We thank all at Goostrey for making us feel so welcome and are happy that they, too, said they enjoyed meeting everyone and learning about life as an asylum seeker.”

Godfrey added:

“It was an excellent trip, outstandingly organised, and a real opportunity for asylum seekers to connect with nature.”

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

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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