ASKaND Sentinel June 2024 - Vol 3 #08

Funding Coup For 2024 Heritage Day!

Amidst the vibrant and culturally rich landscape of Birmingham, the ASKaND 2024 St Kitts & Nevis Heritage Day is set to return to The Hub in Perry Barr on Sunday 18th August; promising an even more thrilling and enriching experience for all attendees. With the phenomenal feedback received for 2023 Heritage Day, the upcoming event aims to surpass last year’s impressive celebration. Thanks to the success of a competitive funding bid to The Inclusive Communities Fund, facilitated by the Heart of England Community Foundation, ASKaND’s Heritage Day is poised to deliver an unforgettable day packed with cultural festivities, activities, and community spirit.

Last year's Heritage Day generated a wave of excitement that echoed across the UK and even reached international shores. The event featured a blend of international and emerging local artists, creating a unique cultural tapestry that honoured the diverse heritage of St Kitts and Nevis. One of the highlights was a bespoke theatre production, developed in collaboration with Kalaya Productions, which poignantly narrated the journey of individuals from St Kitts-Nevis to the UK during the Windrush Era and their profound impact on Birmingham. The surprise appearances of clowns, integral to St Kitts and Nevis's masquerade tradition, along with captivating Caribbean folklore and a dynamic Soca flash mob Zumba session, left a lasting impression on all who attended.

For 2024, the plan is to elevate the Heritage Day experience, building on

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

the solid foundation laid in 2023. Attendees can look forward to new and exciting features, including spoken word open mic sessions that will provide a platform for budding poets and storytellers to share their voices. Additionally, a dominoes area will cater to both learners and enthusiasts of the game, creating an engaging and interactive environment for all ages. There are also plans for a variety of children's activities to ensure fun-filled family participation. Following on from the resounding success of our Health and Wellbeing Fayre in February, the upcoming Heritage Day will continue to prioritise public health. Complete Wellness C.I.C. is once again hoping to partner with us to offer free health checks, empowering attendees to stay informed about their health and well-being and reinforcing our commitment to improving the ‘quality of life’ for all, within the community.

The achievement of securing funding from The Inclusive Communities Fund, which received an overwhelming £57 million in requests since its launch in November 2023, highlights the significance of ASKaND’s work. With only £9 million available to distribute, being chosen as a grant recipient out of over 800 applicants, is a testament to the value and impact of our initiatives. This funding will enable us to bring our vision for the 2024 Heritage Day to life; nurturing community cohesion and celebrating the rich tapestry of cultures that make up the West Midlands. The Inclusive Communities Fund itself is

inspired by the enduring legacy of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, aimed at supporting community -based organisations throughout the West Midlands. This mission resonates deeply with ASKaND’s goals, as we strive to provide access to exciting opportunities for our community. So mark your calendars for August 18th at The Hub in Perry Barr, Birmingham, as we gather to celebrate and honour our heritage, and embrace our community. As the preparations intensify, so too is the level of anticipation amongst the community, across the City. The day promises to be filled with joy, learning, and celebration of our rich heritage, thanks to the generous support from The Inclusive Communities Fund. Consequently, our Heritage Day is set to be a landmark event in our community calendar.

JacquiDaniels ASKaND Chair

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

Volunteer Opportunities

To Join Our Dynamic Team!

Are you passionate about making a difference and have a few hours to spare each month? We are seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help us deliver on our mission.

If you can dedicate a minimum of four hours a month, we'd love to have you on board!

Volunteer Position

Available 1. Membership Co-Ordinator

 Role Description:

 Manage and maintain the membership database.

 Ensure memberships are current.

 Notify members when yearly fees are due.

 Collaborate with Ralph, Peter, and Julie.

 Skills Required

 Strong organizational skills.

 Attention to detail.

 Good communication abilities.

 Basic knowledge of database management is a plus.

Volunteer Position

Available 2. Newsletter Researcher/Writer

 Role Description:

 Gather news from the SKN diaspora & heritage links in the UK and abroad.

 Work closely with Edlynn to ensure timely and accurate news collection.

 Write engaging news articles for the newsletter.

 Skills Required

 Research and writing skills.

 Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

 Good communication and networking abilities.

 Interest in SKN community issues and heritage.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Volunteer Position 3. Assistant to the Social Secretary

Available  Role Description:

 Assist in organising social events under the guidance of the Social Secretary.

 Help with event planning, coordination, and execution.

 Skills Required

 Strong organisational and planning skills.

 Ability to work collaboratively.

 Good interpersonal and communication skills.

 Enthusiasm for social activities and event management.

Why Volunteer With Us at

ASKaND?

 You will be making a positive impact in your community.

 You will develop new skills and gain valuable experience.

 You will meet new people and build lasting relationships.

How to Apply: If you are interested in any of these volunteer positions please email us at: askand2022@gmail.com with a short paragraph outlining the role you would like and your skills. We look forward to welcoming you to our team and working with you to achieve our goals!

Our dedicated walkers are 4-weeks into our 12-week Birmingham to St Kitts-Nevis Walk, covering the 4054 mile distance. We are hoping to raise £2500 to cover some of the cost of the activities we deliver to the community. So please give what you can, and please share our Just Giving links amongst your contacts. Thank you.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/askand2? utm_term=9JjmjjqgD

GET ON OUR SOCIALS!

Don’t forget to access our Linktree links on our website. Peter, our Communications Officer, is always keen to hear your suggestions, so please let him know your thoughts on how we can improve our contents. Also, if you have a website you would like us to add, just let Peter know.

But in the meantime, please don’t forget our Socials which are having more and more people wanting to connect to us every week. So please find us at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/askandbrum

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askandbrum/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/askandbrum

Find us at: www.askand.org

PeterNwabuokei ASKaND Communications Officer

St Kitts Music Festival 2024 Line-Up

ASKaND’s Rising Stars

DearAntwone,

Thankyouforthelovelygiftofmy handdrawnportrait!Itwas completelyunexpected,andadelight toreceive!Ithasbeenplacedina prominentplacewithinmyhomefor alltosee.

Ihopeyoucontinuetobeinspired, bythethingsaroundyou,toproduce greatpieces,anddevelopyour talent.I’ msureyourfamilyis immenselyproudofyou,andyour achievements.Iknowthey,along withyourSKNcommunity,will continuetosupportyouonyour artisticjourney. GodBlessyou!

JacquiDaniels

Upcoming Members Meetings

ASKaND Members meetings will be held at the BCA, Jenkins Street, Birmingham, B10 0PQ at 1900hrs. However, please always check our location. We are always working to try and offer our members different experiences; and that might mean we change our venue! But don’t worry; we will always give you plenty of notice of any changes!

Friday 5th July

Friday 2nd August

Friday 6th September

Friday 4th October

Friday 1st November

Friday 6th December

ChairoftheAssociationofSt.KittsandNevis Descendants(ASKaND)

Antwone Merchant

Brum to SKN Challenge Update

Although the month of May has been a whirlwind of unpredictable weather, our dedicated walkers have persevered, showcasing their impressive spirit and endurance. Among them, new 'stars' have emerged; displaying incredible step counts despite the elements. Everyone has their reasons for participating in our charity walk. For many, the Brum to SKN sponsored walk provides an enjoyable challenge to reintroduce exercise into their busy lives. Especially after the long and dreary winter months. Whether aiming to surpass their 2023 personal best or prioritising gentle self-care, our walk welcomes all levels of fitness.

Walking together for a common cause builds a sense of unity. Like-minded individuals connect, share ideas, and support each other. The ASKaND WhatsApp group buzzes with enthusiasm, as walkers eagerly track and share their steps daily. Spectacular step counts by some participants fuel friendly banter and camaraderie, encouraging everyone to push their limits without

competition.

Often overlooked, walking offers a wealth of health benefits. It builds stamina, burns calories, and strengthens the heart. Beyond physical fitness, walking enhances mental well-being by flooding the system with mood-lifting endorphins; reducing stress and anxiety. Add a four-legged ‘friend’ into the mix, and the experience becomes even more delightful. So, grab those trainers and soak in the rejuvenating effects of a nice walk.

By joining the walk or sponsoring a participant, you play a critical role in supporting ASKaND’s community initiatives. Every step and every donation contribute to a larger effort to building a thriving and cohesive St Kitts-Nevis community. Your support is invaluable, and together, we can make the difference we are all striving for.

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/askand2? utm_term=9JjmjjqgD