Advice Support Knowledge Information (A.S.K.I.) was established in 2012 to support and signpost individuals who face barriers to inclusion and who with support could go on to live productive lives and make a contribution to their community. They run imaginative programmes that have people at the centre for those of the third sector. Working with specialist individuals and agencies ASKi provides new approaches to work with long standing community issues.
I caught up with Joseph Jeffers the CEO of A.S.K.I. to find out how they would be marking National Windrush Day 2021. As to be expected because of the pandemic, the events will be held online via Zoom this year and as a result more people will be able to listen in and take part in the discussions, no-matter where they are in the world. The topics will cover things around and relevant to the Windrush generation.
ASKI’s Windrush project will be delivered over a number of weeks, with the first event taking place on the 22nd June Windrush Day. The Zoom events will target older Caribbean men and women living in Croydon and Sutton but everyone will be welcomed to the celebration. Joseph Jeffers lists the treats one can expect from the project programme. There will be some great discussions with speakers of note making presentations and writing workshops too specific to Windrush Day. The other highlights include dance activities and a lunch (face to face).
We’re hoping listeners and viewers will share with us through social media and other means if and how the programme impacted on them, he says because Windrush Day is for everyone, and we want to make it as wide-reaching as possible.
For the team at ASKI, Windrush Day is no ordinary day, it’s a day for an essential reflection on the contributions of the Windrush Generation to the UK. With a growing ageing population, the need to say thank you to our elders and enjoy their company is important says Mr Jeffers, but we also want to collect their memories and words of wisdom and guidance. It’s then our duty to present these memories and Caribbean traditions so future generations can benefit from them.
ASKi wants to put a positive focus on the people of Windrush generation and asserts that any opportunity to highlight and celebrate their contribution should be welcomed and be Black led. Windrush Day will also be used to focus on the injustices done by the UK government and look at how these can be redressed and support Windrush elders.
ASKI confirms the value of having a directory of Windrush Day events taking place around the country. Information shared this way well in advance of the day means more people can participate in a variety of ways of commemorating some great achievements of a generation and will help present opportunities to bid for funding to do national events.
Join Zoom Commemoration here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87890405082?pwd=K3VrTDkwVXRTRFV5Z3FFNGZHODlWUT09
Meeting ID: 878 9040 5082
Passcode: 266998
To find out more visit: https://aski.org.uk