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Sweltering and humid temperatures, longer hours of daylight and shorter nights put a quantum pep in our steps and several stories in this issue hint at the exciting time of the year

This summer publication is full of exhilarating and stimulating articles about our community in Nottingham. We have, yet again, covered a myriad of important issues for you to banquet on. In this special bumper edition, we have comprehensive chronicles of our very own trustee at Mojatu Foundation, Professor Veronica Moraa Pickering, who has repeatedly made history as the first African black woman to be appointed as the High Sheriff in Britain in modern history - she’s also the first black person to become the deputy Lieutenant of Nottingham - and the first African black woman and first Kenyan to be appointed the 504 Squadron honourary Air Commodore for the Royal Air Force by

Professor Pickering, a social worker, philanthropist, and an executive life coach, is an enigma. She has achieved the unthinkable, but that is not what she’s best known for - she’s so passionate about youth empowerment. – Please, see how she feted young people on pages 34 - 35.

In this issue, we’ve a story on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as Nottingham City, this year, commemorates six years of being the first UK city to declare zero tolerance. Further, we also have noteworthy stories on Refugee Week, Windrush 75th Anniversary, a spotlight on women empowerment and a feature on Domestic Violence. And there is so much more.

I hope you enjoy the read.

Peter Makossah Group Editor-in-Chief

peter.makossah@mojatu.com

Editorial

Group Editor-in-Chief: Peter Makossah

Copy Editor: Penny Cooper: penny@mojatu.com

Community Journalist: Julius Mwangi: julius@mojatu.com

Design: Robert Borbely - robert@mojatu.com

Photos: Seif-El-Deen Abushkhaidem, www.freepik.com

Contributors: Angela Wathoni | Ophelie Lawson

Willy Kamau | Saida Barbar | Caroline Mwangi

Professor Hisham Mehanna | Ashani Erandi

Higure Arachchilage | Angelo Molleta | Hemakshi Soni

Erin O’donoghue | Oluwatosin Ogunleye | Bilikis Ishola

Accounts: Thierry Karume - accounts@mojatu.com

Admin: Penny Cooper - penny@mojatu.com

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Professor Veronica Pickering Mojatu Media

UK INSTALS FIRST BLACK AFRICAN FEMALE HIGH SHERIFF

- By Peter Makossah

She has done what many people of her kind since time immemorial have tried to do but failed.

Buoyed by her strong will, zeal, tenacity, resilience, and her unquenchable love for mankind, she has reached for her brightest stars and achieved the unthinkable.

For her, impossible is nothing. She has smashed the glass ceiling and twice has made history.

She first wrote her name in the annals of history when she became the first Kenyan and first African woman to be appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Nottingham a decade ago.

Professor Veronica Moraa Pickering, a philanthropist, social worker, and a life coach, who was born in Kisii County in Kenya and moved to England in the 1960’s is the first Kenyan, first black woman and first African to be installed as High Sheriff in British history.

The first black High Sheriff in Britain was Nathaniel Wells, a magistrate and landowner, who was a son of a Welsh slave trader and plantation owner with an enslaved woman, served as High Sheriff from 1779 -1852 in Monmouthshire.

The name Professor Veronica Pickering, who in 2013 was appointed Deputy Lieutenant (DL) of Nottingham, conjures up a focused, dedicated, loyal, regal, kind and warm-hearted professional and humanitarian with a passion for young people.

Highlighting the achievements

Professor Pickering was appointed as High Sheriff of Nottingham in April this year, but YMCA Newark and Sherwood hosted historic installation at glitzy

ceremony marked with pomp, colour, grandeur and reverence at Newark’s YMCA Community and Activity Village.

The office of the High Sheriff is a position of benevolence and is an unpaid, independent and non-political royal appointment, dating back to the Saxon times.

In her keynote address, Professor Pickering said: “I am absolutely delighted and privileged to be taking up this historic role and also to be the first woman of colour in Nottinghamshire to be High Sheriff.”

“In my year in office I will be focusing on highlighting the achievements of young people and the communities and organisations that support them.”

The installation ceremony included music from the RAF brass quintet, Freddie Kofi and SING Community Gospel Choir, live streaming of Gatoto School children’s choir in Nairobi, Kenya, solos from Amninah Hussain and a performance from the YMCA Creative Academy.

A revered champion of charity Professor Veronica is also board member of YMCA RobinHood Group, an ambassador for YMCA Newark and Sherwood, an honourary Air Commodore of the RAF among many other portfolios.

The event saw the unveiling of Professor Pickering as the High Sheriff’s ceremonial robes, which were designed in collaboration with students at Nottingham Trent University to highlight her selfless involvement with nature and to represent her African and Nottinghamshire identities.

The design of the shoes was a collaboration between Simon McMaster and the Nottingham based smart textiles company, Footfalls and Heartbeats.

Professor Pickering says she will use her position to highlight the achievements of young people and their communities in the region.

An absolute honour

The official ceremony was held in the conference and event space at the activity village.

Craig Berens, chief executive of YMCA RobinHood Group, said: “It is an absolute honour to be hosting this important event here at the YMCA Community and Activity Village in Newark.

“When we opened this incredible facility last year, we hoped it would become the heart of the community and act as a space for people of all ages and interests to come together and feel part of something.”

The event provided an opportunity for Professor Pickering to outline her goals for the tenure of office, including raising the profile of Nottinghamshire across the UK and beyond.

As the High Sheriff of Nottingham, Professor Pickering is also responsible for assisting charities and community foundations who work with vulnerable young people, as well as supporting the emergency services and crime prevention agencies.

Guests at the event included Sir John Peace, Lord Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire and his wife Lady Christine Peace, Manoah Esipisu, High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya to the United Kingdom, Paul Southby, outgoing High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, Chaplain Lauren Simpson and Under Sheriff Deborah Hutchinson.

Pricking Professor Pickering

The High Sheriff of any city in the UK including Nottinghamshire takes office in April every year for a term of one year and remains the Sovereign’s representative in the county for all matters relating to the judiciary and the maintenance of law and order.

The Office of High Sheriff is non-political and unpaid, and no part of a High Sheriff’s expenses falls on the public purse - It is a Royal appointment, which is made in the Privy Council by the Sovereign, where the custom of he or she is ‘pricking’ the appointee’s name with a bodkin is perpetuated.

The High Sheriff acts as the Returning Officer for parliamentary elections and maintains the loyalty of subjects to the Crown.

The High Sheriff further undertakes duties to support and encourage voluntary and statutory organisations engaged in all aspects of law and order and provides hospitality and look after the well-being of High Court judges.

Professor Pickering is married to Nottinghamshire born Artist, Roy Pickering and now works as an Executive Coach and Mentor with several companies and organisations across the UK and she supports several Nottinghamshire charities and organisations.

Speaking during the installation of Professor Pickering, Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Sir John Peace said: “We share many of Veronica’s values when it comes to supporting young people.”

HIGH SHERIFF TURBO-CHARGES YOUNG PEOPLE’S RESILIENCE

- By Peter Makossah

She believes so much in the power of the young people all her working life and she’s been working tirelessly to uplift their lives.

but for Professor Pickering whose work throughout her life has been that would be difficult.

Professor Pickering, who is passionate about young people’s welfare, declared that she will spend her time in promoting principles of inclusion, equality and fairness, especially for the young people in Nottingham’s diverse local communities.

Her passion for young people is unwavering - her dedication to empower them is steady and continue to flourish - and with her new position as the city’s gatekeeper, she’s more determined to propel the youth forward.

It is against this background that the new High Sheriff of Nottingham in a quest to turbo-charge the youth has asked individuals and organisations of goodwill in the city and the county to support young people’s resilience and help them achieve their goals.

Professor Veronica Moraa Pickering, who was installed as High Sheriff of Nottingham in May, made the appeal during a garden party reception she hosted to honour and celebrate the achievements of young people held at Sherwood Forest in June in Edwinstowe.

She said: “I would like to ask individuals and organisations to do more in supporting the young people in Nottingham achieve their goals and realise their dreams.

“I hope that many organisations will take a leading role in supporting the resilience of young people and help them achieve their goals by mentoring them.”

Professor Pickering explained that young people need mentoring, saying that someone mentored by her and that if it wasn’t for that, she wouldn’t be what and who she is today.As per tradition of the office of the High Sheriff, every new High Sheriff chooses a specific charity organisation to support and raise funds

In an interview, an 18-year-old Police cadet Josh Goodwin said: “I am so delighted to have been invited and be part of this event. I really appreciate what Professor Pickering has been doing for the young people in Nottinghamshire for many years.

“I just want to meet her and look her into her eyes and say thank you to her. I want to let her know that we, the young people of Nottinghamshire appreciate her and we are so grateful for everything she does for us,” said a seemingly elated Josh.

In another interview, Ivana Gregory, 19 said: “I feel honoured to be here. I admire Professor Pickering a lot and she is my role model. I knew of her before she became the High Sheriff. She’s a great inspiration.”

During the young people’s achievement celebratory event, the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire’s Community Festival, which was held at RSPB Sherwood Forest in Edwinstowe on Sunday, June 11, 2023, a spectacular spitfire flypast added colour, style and grandeur to party and made

The RAF flew the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight as an honour to Professor Pickering, who is an honourary Air Commodore of the 504 County of Nottingham Squadron for her undivided commitment to philanthropic services to humanity.

Professor Pickering has been working with the RAF on issues of diversity and inclusion in Nottinghamshire.

The flypast of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight took place at 12.56 pm in recognition of the role of Professor Pickering and her commitment to youth empowerment.

Among the guests at the event was the Lord-

Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Sir John Peace.

Professor Pickering, in a matter-of-fact tone, said: “Nottinghamshire has a particular resonance for the office of High Sheriff, too.

“This Festival is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of young people, and those organisations working for and with them, across our county.”

With Professor Pickering at the helm as Sheriff of Nottingham young people’s resilience is turbo-

charged and her influence will be an added advantage to youth empowerment.

In an interview Sight-tech Foundation Chief Executive (CEO) and founder, Abdoulie Jah said: “With Professor Pickering as Sherriff, the young people will benefit more.

“I have not known anybody who believes in young people so much as her. She is a solid supporter of young people and she always want young people to flourish.”

MOJATU, NTU HOLD CONFERENCE ON FGM ZERO-TOLERANCE 2023

- By Caroline Mwangi

Geared up to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) to extinction, Mojatu Foundation in collaboration with the Nottingham Law School at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), held the annual Zero Tolerance to Conference.

The conference, held on June 23rd, 2023, under the theme, ‘Accelerating Investment and Abandonment to FGM at Marcus Garvey Ballroom in Lenton, Nottingham, attracted scores of people from near, far and wide, including local and international experts, health professionals, the police, community and traditional leaders, higher education students, FGM survivors and members of the community in Nottingham city and the county.

Some of the notable people who attended the conference are: Joy Cotton, Programmes Manager, Covid Outbreaks at Nottingham City Council, Cecily Mwaniki, founder of Utulivu Women’s Group; Juliet Albert, Specialist FGM Midwife at Sunflower Clinic, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Mahnaz Harrison, President and CEO of Last Mile4D and Mark Dwira, a final-year PhD Nursing student at the University of Nottingham.

Others include; James Sahr Momoh, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and Cultural & Ethnic Diversity lead working with Berkshire NHS Talking Therapies and Deputy chair of Race Equality Network (REN) Fredrick Mwawule Wadulo and Community ambassadors, Jacinta Ijeoma, a Masters student at the University of Nottingham, pursuing Midwifery Studies, Maternal and

Newborn Care, Julia Paul, a Church Pastor, Abdoulie Jah, founding CEO for Sight-tech International and Director of ABJ Security Services Limited.

The FGM indaba took place during Refugee week, an umbrella programme of arts, cultural and educational events that takes place between 19th and 25th June every year, to celebrate the creativity, resilience and contributions of refugees and people seeking sanctuary and to promote a better understanding of why people seek asylum.

The timing of the conference was significant and specifically chosen, to give effect to some of the aims of Refugee week which include raising awareness of the reality of refugee experiences and seeking new and creative ways to address issues relevant to migrant communities.

Raising awareness

In her opening remarks, Mojatu Foundation Operations Director said: “We have been raising awareness, sensitising communities and empowering survivors to be the driving force for tackling FGM by giving them a voice and engaging them in discussions, decision making, and events aimed at tackling FGM.

“In our work with FGM survivors and communities affected by FGM, Mojatu Foundation not only actively works towards ending FGM but also helps to raise awareness on FGM. Mojatu also helps safeguard girls and women at risk of FGM and

supports FGM survivors and their communities to cope with the effects of FGM and in becoming the drivers for change towards ending FGM.”

The director of operations explained that Mojatu Foundation engage individuals, communities, professionals, statutory bodies, and other stakeholders in raising awareness and tackling FGM, in the UK and Internationally.

Mojatu Foundation over the past six years has worked tirelessly alongside Nottingham City Council in fighting FGM and their concerted efforts saw Nottingham becoming the first city in the UK to declare zero tolerance on FGM.

FGM Project Manager manager at Mojatu Foundation, Saida Barbar in an interview on the sidelines of the conference, said: “FGM must end, however, this mountaineous and daunting task will require everyone to take part, especially men as men have a significant role to play in ending the vice.

“FGM is criminal and therefore those who do it must face the law and for that to happen, we will need talk about it. Everyone must be involved. Women and girls from FGM practising communities continue to face the risk of FGM in the UK, and abroad.”

According to data, FGM it remains an intractable social problem that continue to pose a great danger to the health and human rights of women and girls from FGM practising communities.

Among the delegates were various distinguished speakers who presented at the conference which was graced by over 80 invited delegates from different sectors, professional backgrounds and from all walks of life.

Psycho-sexual assessment

Making her presentation, Reading-based Cecily Mwaniki, said: “To end FGM, we need to involve all stakeholders to take part in the fight against this malpractice. We need to sensitise communities about this practice and ensure that girls and women around the world are safe from this barbaric act.”

London-based Specialist FGM midwife at Sunflower Clinic, Juliet Albert, who made her presentation from Indonesia said: “There is need to establish a national Centre of Excellence that will be offering FGM reconstruction surgeries alongside psychosexual assessment and other non-invasive therapies to FGM survivors.”

LastMile4D president and CEO Mahnaz M. Harrison, presenting from the USA, explained that FGM is

a global problem with far-reaching impact across different regions and cultures worldwide.

Harrison said: “There are political dimensions intertwined with FGM, and the practice continue to be exploited for economic gain. We must end FGM, but for us to do this, we have to be united.” On medicalisation of FGM, she explained: “This a new angle goes against the do no harm oath taken by doctors.”

Taking his turn, Abdoulie Jah, founding CEO for Sight-tech International and Director of ABJ Security Services Limited in his presentation, he said that men need to take a leading role in ending FGM because all this is done to please men.

Said Jah: “If you look deeper as to why people do FGM, you will find out that the practice is all about pleasing men and if men take part, it will be easy to end this evil practice. Men have a significant role to play in this war.”

The speakers’ presentations were followed by round table discussions on various themes and topic which included training, education and research, medicalisation of FGM, ways to support survivors and raise their profile locally, the role of men in

ending FGM, Ways to communicate with a female child, women and their children about FGM.

The conference also explored on how to create more awareness about FGM within communities, Strategies employed in addressing survivors’ needs and possible gaps in the implementation of these strategies.

The table discussions were led by Redrick Mwawule Wadule, Caroline Mwangi (PhD Candidate at NTU, who is also Mojatu Foundation FGM Projects Assistant) Joy Cotton, Mark Dwira, James Momoh, Cecily Mwaniki and Peter Makossah is also, a legal consultant at Mojatu Foundation, respectively. Overall, the conference discussed pertinent issues surrounding FGM bordering on cultural globalisation, a concept of cultural importation, ideas, customs and practices by people migrating from their countries of origin to their countries of destination.

It is through cultural globalisation that FGM spreads to various countries of destination and it was said that it is this that makes FGM a global problem that requires a global approach. A common sentiment amongst delegates was that there’s an urgent need to continue raising awareness about FGM and its various dynamics such as its medicalisation, in addition to employing a culturally sensitive approach, while engaging FGM practising communities.

NINE DRUGS-CRIMINAL GANG MEMBERS JAILED FOR OVER 260 YEARS

- By Peter Makossah

Nine vile gang members have been jailed for a total of more than 260 years after a Nottingham man was fatally stabbed in a case of mistaken identity.

The victim, Michael Anton O’Connor was attacked outside a property in Wilford Crescent West, The Meadows, shortly after 10.20pm on 10 November 2021.

The 31-year-old, from Alexandra Park, died at the Queen’s Medical Centre after police found him collapsed on the pavement and a subsequent police investigation found out that the murder was the culmination of a drug war, which had broken out between two rival organised crime groups – each vying for control of the local drugs market.

Michael, known to many as Anton, was well-known and well-liked in the area and was tasked with calming tensions between the two gangs. However, his killers mistook him for their intended target, a Nottingham drugs kingpin, and it cost Michael his life.

In October 2022, eleven people went on trial at Nottingham Crown Court accused of his murder. On 12 June 2023, nine of those defendants were found guilty of murder. Sentences for their offences have been taking place throughout this week.

They include Benjamin Taylor, aged 38, of Monton Road, Eccles, Manchester, who sent a team of dealers from Manchester down to Nottingham to carry out the murder. He was jailed for 32 years Leonard Ward, aged 42, of Marwood killing and - he was the head of Meadows-based organised crime gang (OCG) that ordered the killing, and was jailed for 32 years.

Joseph Boscombe, aged 41, of Rostherne Avenue, Manchester - he was part of the ‘hit team’ sent to carry out the murder and was jailed for 32 years.

Joshua Agboola, aged 30, of Leven Grove, Darwen, Blackburn - he was also part of the ‘hit team’ sent to carry out the murder and was jailed for 31 years

Carla McGuire, aged 53, of Wilford Crescent West, The Meadows was linked to the Meadows-based

organised crime group that ordered the killing. She lived next to where Mr O’Connor was murdered and was accused of turning off CCTV at her property just before the attack was carried out.

She was jailed for 20 years Michael Mingoes, aged 21, of Powell Street, Manchester, was part of the ‘hit team’ sent to carry out the murder and is believed to have dealt the fatal blow.

He was jailed for 28 years Jerome Sheard, aged 31, of Wilford Crescent West, The Meadows - He was Leonard Ward’s right- hand man, the son of Carla McGuire, and a member of the gang that ordered the killing. He was jailed for 31 years Paula Usherwood, aged 39, of Central Avenue, Beestonshe set up the ambush by meeting the

intended target on the morning of the murder - she was jailed for 30 years.

Michael McGuire, aged 35, of Wilford Crescent West, The Meadows. He is the son of Carla McGuire and living with her at property next to where murder took place. He was jailed for 32 years.

Two further defendants were found guilty of other offences relating to the murder and will be sentenced in July.

They are Kerry-Anne Shepherd, aged 35, of Plantagenet Street, St Ann’s, who was found guilty of assisting an offender, Gemma Fearon, aged 38, of Dean Bank Close, Bollington, Macclesfield, who was found guilty of encouraging and assisting in the commission of an indictable only offence after driving the ‘hit team’ to the scene of the murder.

Following the sentencings, Detective Chief Inspector Rob Routledge, who led the investigation, said:

“Nottinghamshire Police welcomes today’s sentencings and our thoughts remain with Anton’s family, at what continues to be a traumatic time.“As someone who was well-known and well-liked in

peacemaker between two feuding groups – and it cost him his life.”

The Meadows area, Anton was asked to act as a

CHARITY DONATES SPECIAL BAGS FOR CHILDREN BATTLING CANCER AT QMC

- By Saida Barbar

Nottingham University Hospitals Trust (NUH) has been chosen as the fourth hospital Trust to receive charity bags that will be given out to children and families when they receive their first cancer diagnosis.

Milly’s Smiles is a charity set up by mum, Lorraine Wilson, whose daughter passed away from cancer in 2015.

Whilst spending time at Manchester Children’s Hospital, Lorraine noticed that families, just like hers were being admitted to the hospital with no possessions with them, as they did not know what to expect.

She saie: “After I lost Milly, I wanted to do something. I wanted to keep her name alive.”

Lorraine set up Milly’s Smiles, a charity that provides a bag for families that are admitted to hospital. It started at Manchester

Children’s Hospital and had since gone on to Alder

Hey, Leeds Children’s Hospitals and now Nottingham. 20 bags were donated to Nottingham Children’s Hospital on June 19. When asked, why Nottingham? Lorraine said: “We follow the hospital on social media, and it seemed like a really nice fit. I’ve heard that Nottingham is a nice place and there is a nice feel to the hospital.”

Inside the blue holdall bag, there is a rainbow blanket - to stop the bed from looking clinical, a notepad and pen to write down information on the initial admission, a beanie hat, a towel, a clear water bottle, a thermometer, neck pillow, toiletries, jelly babies, thermal flask, and a rainbow elephant teddy.

Joanne Smallman, Ward Sister at the Children’s Hospital said: “I feel like the families receiving the

bags will be blown away. “

“It will really help families during what will be some of the most difficult times in their lives. Milly’s Smiles have thought of everything! You can really tell it’s been put together by someone who has gone through it because it’s so well put together.”

Milly’s Smiles bag Each of Milly’s Smiles bags cost £140 to make up, funded through fundraising events such as afternoon teas, charity balls, run events, sponsored walks, family fun days, cake sales, tombola’s, raffles, and car boot sales.

Lorraine added: “I can’t believe that from something that started in my garage, we are now supporting the fourth hospital. I know my daughter would’ve been proud of us.”

If you wish to donate please visit www.millyssmiles.org

NOTTINGHAM CASTLE REOPENS

- By Peter Makossah

Treasured Nottingham Castle has been reopened to the public, after Robin Hood and a merry band of local school children reclaimed the site for visitors from Nottingham and beyond.

Up to 1,000 people benefited from a special £1 ticket for the opening day today, witnessing Robin Hood storming the gates, helped by pupils from Edna G Olds primary school.

The council has announced a new general admission price of £12 per adult, allowing people to return as many times as they like for a year, along with free entry for up to three accompanied kids aged 15 and under.

The City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Planning, Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, said: “We are thrilled to reopen Nottingham Castle to the people of Nottingham and visitors from beyond the city.

“We are looking forward to seeing people reconnect with a site that is so important to local people and to the city, and to welcoming visitors from further afield who are discovering it for the first time.

“We feel sure that the reinvigorated visitor experience throughout the site will encourage people to come back time and time again, with the new ticket allowing people to pay £12 once and visit all year round.”

Bringing new things to Nottingham from day one, Nottingham Castle will launch a new temporary gallery and experiences, not yet seen by visitors within the Nottingham Castle site since its redevelopment.

It includes the newly reinvigorated Brewhouse Yard that showcases life of Nottingham through the ages from the 1500s to 1900s, and as part of the 75th anniversary of Windrush Day and the launch of ‘70 Objeks & Tings,’ brought to one of the Museum’s temporary galleries by Museum and the National Caribbean Heritage Museum.

There will also be a series of artist commissions and interventions on display around the museum, by Jemisha Maadhavji and Tim Fowler.

Following the site’s £31m redevelopment, the castle boasts a new visitor centre and café at the entrance, a Hood’s Hideout adventure playground in the dry moat, as well as interpretative signage around the

grounds to discover the site of the lost medieval castle.

Inside the Museum & Galleries, the galleries offer modern, interactive experiences, including the Robin Hood Adventures and Rebellion Galleries and redesigned galleries for permanent collections of local art, crafts, and collections, alongside temporary or touring exhibitions.

The Land Train will also operate between Brewhouse Yard and the colonnaded castle entrance at the top of castle rock.

The council will continue offering two fascinating cave tours - Mortimer’s Hole and King David’s Dungeon - at £5 per person, due to be available throughout the summer.

The new Land Train will operate at weekends and during the peak holiday season. The council will develop a programme of events, exhibitions, gallery talks and school visits, and offer the site for events such as weddings and corporate functions.

Annette Thornley, Business Development Manager at Visit Nottinghamshire commented: “It’s brilliant that Nottingham Castle is reopening its doors to the public again today! Nottingham has an amazing tourism offer for visitors, with Nottingham Castle being one of our flagship attractions standing tall and proud atop the city.

“It’s reopening is a great boost for the tourism economy in Notts, supporting businesses and jobs throughout the wider city and county. We’ve been excited for today and hope the Castle goes from strength to strength.”

Alex Flint, Chief Executive, Nottingham Business

NOTTINGHAM CELEBRATES REFUGEE WEEK

- By Julius Mwangi

In celebrating the way communities have opened their welcoming arms to help people who have fled conflicts from different parts of the world, Nottingham commemorated this year’s Refugee Week with compassion and kindness.

as well as responding to new crises.”

Interconnected

In another interview, an asylum-seeking person, Mohammed Yusef from Iran said: “I am happy that I managed to flee the conflict in my country with my family and the people in Nottingham are so welcoming and so kind.

“However, in the UK, the dangerous anti-migration government rhetoric continues, along with inhumane conditions for asylum seekers but what matters more is the safety and the sanctuary and I hope that one day someday soon, things will be better, said Mr. Yusef, who is a medical doctor by profession and a politician.

Speaking in line with this year’s Refugee Week, he said as people, everyone needs compassion from others to live a healthy and balanced life.

This year’s celebration was pinned onto a sharp focus to embrace the myriad diverse cultures and the positive contributions they make to the city in particular and the country in general.

The Refugee Week, which ran from June 19 to June 25, and is held every year, created an opportunity for Nottingham to embrace and celebrate the people who have come from somewhere else from across the globe to make the city their home by highlighting the many good things they bring to enrich the society and communities they live in.

In opening the marking of Refugee Week main event, residents and various organisations gathered at Sneinton Market Square on Saturday June 18, and celebrated the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees, migrants and people seeking sanctuary with music, dance, food, poetry, and the spoken word. Refugee Week is an annual UK-wide programme of arts, cultural and educational events and activities that celebrates the contribution of refugees to the UK and promotes better understanding of why people seek sanctuary.

One of the organisers of the event, Allan Njanji, who is also one of the board of directors at Refugee Forum in an interview with Mojatu Magazine said: “Together we can create a shared understanding of compassion to ensure we are extending it widely to all.

“The last few years have been challenging for all of us - we are still adjusting to new realities post-lockdown -

Muhammed, who lives in one of the hotels in Nottingham added: “None of these things happen in isolation. We know how interconnected our world is: how something seemingly “far away” impacts everyone.

“All of this makes us even more aware of the need to widen our circles of compassion. Within our own experiences are all the tools we need to be compassionate, not just to ourselves and those in our immediate circle but to all our human neighbours and our one shared home, planet earth.

Refugee Forum Client Participation specialist Juliette Bone in an interview said: “Refugee Week is incredibly important because it is the time to recognise the importance and asylum-seeking persons and refugees bring to the communities.

“Their contribution and value are significant to the

communities in which they live,” she said.

Refugee Week origins

Refugee Week is one of the largest worldwide arts and culture festivities.

Every year, since 1998, the UK celebrates the numerous gifts and contributions that refugees bring to host communities.

The realisation that we are interconnected, and that the fabrics of our societies are interwoven, means that we all have a part to play in creating harmonious communities where everyone is treated with compassion and respect.

The global picture

According to data, globally, at the end of 2022, approximately 103 million people had been displaced from their homes as a result of violence or persecution. The majority, about 74% of the world’s refugees and other people in need of international protection are currently living in low- and middle-income countries (with the largest proportions living in Turkey, Colombia, Germany, Pakistan and Uganda, which between them host over 11 million refugees.

Refugees and asylum seekers in the UK

Originally, this week-long celebration was aimed at countering the toxic portrayal and negative depictions of those seeking sanctuary in the media.

Considering the current political agenda around immigration, it feels more urgent than ever that all communities uphold the commitment declared in the Human Rights Convention, to which this country has been a signatory since 1951.

Worldwide, we are still grappling with the post-Covid effects, including many situations of conflict and war, as well as communities being ravaged by the devastating impacts of climate change.

The safety nets for those disproportionately affected not only by Covid but also by the staggering costs of living are crumbling.

Moreover, in the UK, consecutive governments continue to make the lives of undocumented migrants more and more miserable, as evidenced through the appalling housing conditions (including the use of barracks) and the plans to implement a so-called inhumane anti-immigration bill.

As of November 2022, there were 231,597 refugees, 127,421 pending asylum cases and 5,483 stateless persons in the UK.

The war in Ukraine has driven a large increase from the previous year, when there were an estimated 135,000 refugees.

Over 70,000 people claimed asylum in 2022. Just over 23,000 have been granted the right to remain in the country so far.

Of the top 10 nationalities applying for asylum, according to the UK Home Office, half have a grant rate above 80% (Afghanistan 98%, Iran 80%, Syria 99%, Eritrea 98%, and Sudan 84%).

In 2022, there were 231,597 refugees in the UK and in that year 70,000 people claimed asylum while 130,000 people had their asylum applications pending at the Home Office.

In the UK, Asylum seeking persons, on average, wait for a minimum of three years, for their refugee status to be granted.

NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL’S EFFORTS ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY RECOGNISED AT NATIONAL AWARDS

- By Peter Makossah

Nottingham City Council’s Greener Housing scheme has been Highly Commended at a national awards ceremony. Through Greener Housing, thousands of homes have been retrofitted with energy efficiency improvements such as insulation, solar panels and air source heat pumps.

In recognition of this work, the City Council was Highly Commended in the Innovation in Delivering Sustainability and Social Value category at The MJ Awards on June 23rd, 2023. Councillor David Mellen, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Carbon Neutral Nottingham said: “I am delighted that Nottingham City Council has been recognised at The MJ Awards for our Greener HousiNG scheme.

“This vital scheme is improving homes in the city, making them more comfortable for residents while also reducing energy bills and carbon emissions.

Mr. Mellen added: “The challenge we have in Nottingham is that many of the homes were built before 1980 and have solid walls which makes them difficult to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

“We have found innovative ways to tackle this issue, for example by trialling a variety of approaches to whole-house retrofit measures which have explored the use of a range of new technologies to bring homes towards net-zero standards.”

The MJ Awards seeks to celebrate the work of local authorities that are making a difference to the lives of residents across the UK.

The Greener HousiNG team has been working to retrofit both privately owned and social homes, supporting the city’s ambitious target to be carbon neutral by 2028 and the City Council’s strategy to reduce instances of fuel poverty.

Highly Commended According to Government data, domestic buildings are the largest contributor to Nottingham’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. More than 350,000 tonnes of CO2 are produced by homes in the city per year.

Highlights of the Greener HousiNG scheme include Installing retrofit measures on 1,036 homes between 2019 and 2022.

Contributing to reducing carbon emissions from domestic properties by 7% between 2017 and 2020; having a pipeline of a further 829 homes to be improved in 2023; Improving the number of A-C rated Energy Performance Certificates in homes in the city from 40% to 45% in one year. Others also include external wall insulation installed through Local Authority Delivery scheme; Whole House Retrofit completed through Deep Retrofit Energy Model scheme and in addition to improving the energy efficiency of homes, the Deep Retrofit Energy Model which

has been used to complete whole house retrofit work on domestic properties has also been explored on public buildings.

The scheme was part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Dunkirk Primary School was chosen for inclusion in the scheme with the aim to achieve a 57,211-kWh reduction in primary energy consumption for their campus.

The first-of-its-kind project saw insulation, solar PV, smart controls, LED lighting, and an air source heat pump installed at the nursery building of the school. This led to a six-tonne reduction in annual carbon emissions and minimised the utility bills for the school while also making the building more comfortable for the nursery children.

A partnership project between Nottingham City Council and the Nottinghamshire borough councils was also Highly Commended in the Innovation in Partnerships category.

The Green Rewards programme incentivises residents from across the county to take action to reduce their carbon emissions by offering monthly prizes for those who collect the most points.

“OPERATION ‘TRIPLEFIN’ CRACKS DOWN ON CAR CRUISERS, ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR”

- By Peter Makossah

New legal powers in Nottingham are putting Police and Council partners firmly on the front foot in driving down antisocial car cruising and associated criminality.

A public spaces protection order (PSPO) came into force on Friday June 23, 2023, which largely prohibits car cruisers congregating in hotspot locations, including in the Netherfield and Colwick areas, and gives police powers to issue fines.

Hotspots for unlicensed gatherings, which have caused road safety, noise, and antisocial behaviour concerns, have included the Colwick Industrial Estate and near Victoria Retail Park in Netherfield.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire secured £3 million from the Home Office’s Safer Streets fund and has been working with partners across the county to implement a range of schemes to tackle neighbourhood crime, antisocial behaviour and violence against women and girls.

Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry said: “The impact of antisocial behaviour on residents and businesses cannot be underestimated - and will not be accepted.

“This operation is a great example of police and partner agencies working together to stand up against those who cause safety concerns and intolerable noise nuisance for local people.”

The additional powers bolster ongoing police work to tackle the issue through Operation Triplefin - an initiative launched in October last year to prevent and reduce antisocial behaviour and criminal activity associated with the car cruises. Officers continue to tackle the issue, using both marked and unmarked cars and body worn video cameras, as part of their tactics to clamp down on individuals causing problems and to keep people safe.

Seven Section 59 warnings

Police units carried out proactive patrols in support

of the new order’s launch, and Operation Triplefin will continue to run in affected areas to give added protection to affected residents and businesses. A mixture of neighbourhood policing, roads policing and Operation Reacher team members were involved in the patrols. Their activity resulted in eight people facing fines for breaching the public spaces protection order and seven Section 59 warnings being issued.

Section 59 warnings come with Police National Computer (PNC) markers being placed on vehicles and individuals, meaning any other like behaviour in the next 12 months can result in prosecution and vehicle seizure. One person was also arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs and another person was reported for traffic offences.

Sergeant James Carrington, who has led on Operation Triplefin, said: “We are continuing to make our presence felt, to combat the antisocial use of vehicles in affected areas, using a mixture of engagement, education, and enforcement.

“We will continue to police the operation going forward, and now the public spaces protection order is in place, which we know our partners at Gedling Borough Council have worked hard on to put into effect alongside us.”

Meanwhile, car cruisers have been warned they could be prosecuted if they attend gatherings after the installation of a new CCTV camera.

The high-tech camera, capable to 360-degree viewing, has been put up at the entrance to the retail park site, near the new Sainsburys, off Colwick Loop Road, following funding from the Safer Streets project.

Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke MBE, said: “This is a great start to the work to stop car cruising events in the area. The order is strict but fair to ensure we get the right people who have been making the lives of local residents so difficult recently.

NOTTINGHAM SECURES £2.9M FUNDING TO IMPROVE SOCIAL HOMES

- By Peter Makossah

Nottingham City Council has agreed to proposals to make energy efficiency improvements to a further 370 social homes in Nottingham, it has been established.

More than £2.9m of grant funding from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) Wave 2.1 has been secured following a successful consortium bid, led by the Midlands Net Zero Hub. Through the collaborative bid, over £47m of retrofit funding has been brought into the Midlands region from the Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

SHDF Wave 2.1 will see Nottingham City Council install a range of measures to the selected homes including cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation, loft insulation, draughtproofing and heating controls.

The upgrades will be made to around 370 homes with low energy performance certificates which are the most challenging for tenants to keep warm.

These improvements will help residents to feel more comfortable in their homes - keeping them warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer - this scheme will also bring additional benefits to the social housing tenants - including reducing energy bills, improving health outcomes, and building pride in neighbourhoods.

The second iteration of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund builds on previous successes the City Council has had improving the energy efficiency of homes in the city through the Greener HousiNG scheme. Between 2019 and 2022, 1,036 homes were improved to reduce their energy usage. These projects support Nottingham’s ambition to be the first carbon neutral city in the UK by 2028 and the City Council’s aim to eliminate fuel poverty.

Leading the way

Councillor Corall Jenkins, Portfolio Holder for Energy, Environment and Waste Services and Parks, said: “It’s fantastic that we have secured more funding to improve social homes in the city. We know that roughly 30% of the city’s carbon dioxide emissions come from heating and powering homes.

“As we strive to become the first carbon neutral city in the UK by 2028, it is vital that we find ways to improve the energy efficiency of our housing stock.

Nottingham City Council is leading the way on the retrofit agenda, and this additional funding will allow us to continue this success.”

Councillor Jay Hayes, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “Not only do schemes like these help us to decarbonise the city, they are also an important part of our aim to tackle fuel poverty.

“Energy efficiency improvements, such as insulation and low carbon heating, help tenants to reduce their energy bills by making them easier to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

We’ve seen bills at an all-time high due to the costof-living crisis, so I’m looking forward to seeing improvements continue to be made to social homes in the city.”

Wayne Bexton, Director for Environment and Sustainability, said: ‘’This latest funding allocation will enable us to improve over 300 homes as part of our Greener Housing Programme.

Added Bexton: I’m delighted that Nottingham is leading the way nationally on retrofitting properties, and this work won’t only reduce carbon emissions but will also benefit the health of the occupants and of course lower bills.’’

ADOPTION EAST MIDLANDS IS SUPPORTING A CAMPAIGN TO FIND FAMILIES FOR CHILDREN WHO WAIT THE LONGEST

- By Julius Mwangi

Adoption East Midlands is joining forces with agencies across the country to support a new #YouCanAdopt campaign to find families for children who wait the longest.

The new campaign aims to reach potential parents for children from certain groups that repeatedly wait longest to be adopted and sees a series of new films released featuring real life stories from those who have adopted children, and others who have been adopted themselves.

The films spotlight the various means of support available throughout the adoption journey from adoption agencies, social care workers, charities, employers, friends, relatives, peers and more.

Each year, Adoption East Midlands needs to find adoptive families for approximately 170 children. Without enough families coming forward, children wait longer.

Nottinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Councillor Tracey Taylor, said: “Across Nottinghamshire there are children who are waiting to be adopted.

“If you are considering adoption and can offer a stable, loving home, I urge you to speak to our dedicated team who will be happy to provide the advice, information and support you need.”

Head of service for Adoption East Midlands, Shelagh Mitchell, commented: “Adoption East Midlands is delighted to support this new national campaign that shines a light on those children who typically wait the longest to be adopted.

“We find families for children with a diverse range of needs and from a diverse range of backgrounds who need people to offer them a safe, nurturing and loving home so that they can thrive and flourish,” said Mitchell. Adoption East Midlands believes that support is vital for a successful adoption and works with families to identify the right support for them. Added Mitchell: “We offer ongoing support to our children and families from their first weeks of placement through to support as an adopted adult.”

According to Adoption England, the majority of children waiting for adoption come from specific groups repeatedly facing the longest delays in finding a home.

It is said that these groups mostly include children

aged five or over, children with additional and/or complex needs, brother and sister groups, and those from a black and mixed heritage.

Compared to children without these characteristics, children from these groups wait an average of eight months longer from entry into care to adoption, a total of 32 months.

Data indicates that black and mixed heritage children wait two months longer than average to be adopted from care, with delays caused because there are not enough black and mixed heritage adopters coming forward to adopt children from the same background.

This is why, as part of the campaign, a specialised recruitment drive will run to encourage black and mixed heritage people to consider adoption. Adoption East Midlands is pleading with those considering adopting a child who would typically wait longer,

The organisation says Adollhas professional adoption support teams who can offer a wide range of support throughout the child’s journey through to adulthood - you will not be alone at any step of the way.

WHEN LOVE HURTS

- By Peter Makossah

To many others, from a distance, the world might be sunny side-up with a big ball of yellow spilling into the bluest sky, bright with love, hope, and fat promises.

But for her, the world around her is crumbling - here, love, not hate, is hurting her.

Sitting on a low wall, she rubbed the heel of her left foot - it has been a long day and a tiring journey, not helped by the sweltering July heat.

Shielding her eyes from the naked sun rays, with a sad face, she glanced at a somewhat scruffy piece of paper in her hand.

For 28-year-old *Gladys Gregory* (not her real name) enduring the trauma that comes with domestic abuse has been a way of life as the man she best loved now is the person that she hates the most. When she was repeatedly raped, beaten, and abused in her house, but when told her story nobody believed her story and to add salt to the injury wounds, she was blamed for everything that was happening to her. Domestic abuse is often an unseen epidemic, but victims don’t have to suffer in silence. Not anymore.

“For a very long time, I have endured bull**** in the name of saving my marriage, culture and looking out for my children. I am tired and I be silent no more. Enough is enough,” she ranted in an interview. A lot of people, both male and female are now talking about the abuses at home, especially against violence from the very people who are supposed to love them but only end up hurting them more.

Sadly, domestic abuse doesn’t discriminate. Regardless of your income, race, or gender. Anyone can become a victim of domestic abuse and violence, male or female.

However, with six women killed by their partner every hour, statistically most victims are women - but a preconception, a snobbery even, that it only affects those on lower incomes, means that women in more affluent areas often feel they don’t have to worry about experiencing domestic abuse themselves.

It has, therefore, become an unseen epidemic among the middle classes where women literally suffer in silence behind closed doors.

One of the biggest reasons why women don’t seek or talk about the challenges they’re facing is because they are not believed.

The perpetrator - often a husband or wife - comes across as a wonderful individual described by others as charming.

Not only does this mean people that know both parties are likely to believe the perpetrator is capable of domestic abuse, but the perpetrator himself or herself can claim his or her, is out to get him or her, trying to besmirch his or her reputation.

Another reason why middle-class women often don’t seek help is they want to upend their entire way of life - hubby’s six-figure salary, children in private schools, a large house with multiple cars, good connections in the community and society at large - or draw unwanted negative attention - yes, even embarrassment- to the family.

Yet, reaching out is paramount - For women in affluent areas looking to protect their own and their family’s reputation, seeking help can be a disconcerting prospect - not only do victims of domestic abuse themselves have misconception

about other victims - but so do people on the outside looking in - for example, people often say; “why don’t you just leave him?”

Not only this is a gross misunderstanding of situation, but it is also a harmful view of the situation that is in no way helpful to victims or the services trying to help.

domestic abuse were more at risk than before.

Risk factors for abusers to perpetrate abuse such as increased financial pressure and mental health problems only escalates this problem - one fifth of women who reported experiencing domestic violence said that they had tried to leave the situation but were unable to access housing due to increased demand caused by the pandemic. This impacted families as domestic violence skyrocketed in the pandemic. Children were exposed to intimate partner violence and with the closing of schools, were more likely to experience abuse themselves.

About 38.3% of women experiencing abuse had said that the children were increasingly being used as a tool of abuse, for example partners preventing visits to children.

A survivor of domestic violence and sexual Noria Bazongo, a Ugandan national living in Beeston says: “There is a myriad of ways that a victim can seek help and use the law to safeguard themselves against their abuser. When love hurts, it hurts so badly.”

John Edwards, Nottingham based senior psychologist and domestic violence specialist says: “For most women, it is often easier to stay than it is to go - leaving is difficult especially as it can mean trading an outwardly ‘perfect’ life for uncertainty and having to build a new life from scratch and ultimately, the decision is up to the victim alone and she or he has to go when they are ready.

Argues Edwards: “When the decision has been made to leave, now the only issue becomes just a matter of leaving that relationship safely and sound - abuse escalates when a woman tries to leave because the perpetrator can see and feel that they are losing control because by making the brave decision, a woman puts herself at risk.”

Breaking the cycle

Domestic abuse involves emotional, physical, psychological, or sexual abuse in an intimate relationship or between family members. It is behaviour that is used to control and assert the power dynamic in a relationship.

During the first three months of the pandemic, there was a 65% increase in calls to the National Domestic Abuse helpline compared to the three months before the pandemic. In the first three weeks of the UK- wide national lockdown, there were 16 murders of women and children due to domestic abuse.

Being trapped under lockdown rules with an abuser, as well as having reduced contact with any external support systems meant that victims and families experiencing

“Love shouldn’t hurt,” she adds.

NOTTINGHAM POLICE USING FOOTBALL TO REACH ASYLUM SEEKERS

- By Peter Makossah

Football is a therapy and an antidote to boredom and as the wise once said that an idle mind is a devil’s workshop, those who play or watch football it takes away their minds from evil.

PC Kevin Marshall, beat manager for Mansfield and a life-long Mansfield Town fan, said: “We’ve been visiting the hotel on a regular basis just to make sure everything is okay.

“We’ve had absolutely no trouble down there but wanted to make ourselves known to the guys and explain that we are here to help everyone living and working in the town.

“We noticed they weren’t really doing a lot with their time or getting the exercise they needed and wanted to do something to help them. It was clear they liked football, so we reached out to the club and the rest is history.

It against this background that the Police in Nottinghamshire have adopted the universal language of football in a bid to reach out to people seeking asylum in Mansfield, Nottingham.

Officers in the town have teamed up with the Mansfield Town Community Trust to offer free weekly football sessions to young men staying at a local hotel.

The sessions take place at Field Mill and are free to participants from different parts of the world who are waiting to learn the outcome of their asylum applications.

NoorMohamed Ibrahim, a 30-year-old man seeking asylum from Ethiopia in an interview with Mojatu Online said: “Playing football makes me forget my problems. I have no family or friends here.

“Playing football has given me a new lease of life. I would like to thank the police for organising this. I am truly grateful, for this has given me something to do in life that is helping me carry on with daily living.”

Pascal Mafayopitchadi, 28, a Congolese young man seeking asylum in a separate interview with Mojatu Online said: “I’ve always loved playing football and I nearly became a professional footballer if not for the war and political rife in my country.

“I am happy I am now playing football again, and I give thanks to the Nottinghamshire Police for this great opportunity. This will help me keep myself both in good physical shape as well as keeping my mental health in good health.”

“We may not be able to communicate in the same language, but we have been able to communicate through the language of football and that is a great thing.”

Gary Shaw, of the Mansfield Town Community Trust, said: “The police approached us to see if we could offer them anything so we gladly opened our doors to weekly football sessions where they can come and enjoy the world game.”

“This project falls into our category of Mental Health and Wellbeing delivery, and we are looking to expand on this as we are currently in talks with other Refugee and Asylum Seekers groups to see if they would like to attend too.”

NOTTINGHAM BLACK FEMALE

ARTISTS DISPLAY COLLECTION OF ART ON ‘DIASPORA HERITAGE’

- By Peter Makossah

Four Nottingham conscious black female artists have come together to collaborate on a collectionof art stories and conversations around the wider black diaspora and the massive positive impact on diversity for people of colour.

The powerful four local black ladies comprising, Laura Decorum, Paula D Fontes, Kim Thompson and Panya Banjoko have come together to showcase a collection of mosaics, artefacts, paintings, photography and achieves in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Windrush.

The Black Heritage Exhibition (BHE) is being held at the New Art Exchange (NAE) in Hyson Green, Nottingham from May 20 to July 15, 2023.

The four artists dive into the annals of history to explore a pilgrimage of Afro-Caribbean’s who arrived in Britain on June 22, 1948, through the HMT Empire Windrush which docked in Tilbury in Essex.

The ship brought 492 passengers to the UK from several Caribbean islands including Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, to help fill post-War labour shortages.Collectively, the four artists are telling positive stories about the Windrush through their excellent works of art in a bid to reconnect stories from the past 75 years, the present and the future while remembering and celebrating important and forgotten stories and history from the wider black diaspora.

During the opening of the exhibition, NAE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and artistic director Saad

Eddine Said, stated: “We are excited to host the Black Diaspora Heritage showcase, and we hope you will enjoy the stories and the history the exhibition explores”.

The exhibition invites a cross-generational collective of four local female black artists to showcase their

collection of art works. In an interview with Mojatu Magazine, Paula D Pontes, one of the exhibitions participating artist said: “I am excited to be part of this exhibition to explore and tell positive stories of, and about, the history of the Windrush through art”.

It feels great to be part of this exhibition with three other amazing artists and be able to collectively tell our positive stories about Windrush.

In a separate interview, another exhibition participating artist, Kim Thompson said: “For me, this is part of my story and history because my great grandparents are part of that piece of history. It is a great privilege for me to be part of this iconic exhibition and a great honour to tell stories and a history that’s important and personal to me through art”.

They were encouraged by the 1948 British Nationality Act that granted citizenship and right of abode in the UK to all members of the British Empire.

The term Windrush refers to people who arrived in the UK from Caribbean countries between 1948and 1971, when British immigration laws changed.

URBAN ECOLOGY AND THE INCREASING IMPORTANCE OF NATURE IN CITIES

- By Ophelie Lawson

Urban ecosystem and conservationism are vital and significant components that will determine how well people living in the cities and towns across the world.

Urban sprawl poses a significant threat to global biodiversity, resulting in the gradual disappearance of mammals, birds, butterflies and other vital insects within urban areas.

However, integrating nature within cities plays a crucial role in mitigating urban heat, air and water pollution, flood hazards and carbon emissions

This is why, urban ecology, which is the study of ecosystems including humans living in cities and urbanised landscapes comes in handy to city and town dwellers globally.

Urban ecology studies the relation of living organisms with each other and their surroundings in an urban environment - it aims to understand how human and ecological processes can coexist in human-dominated systems.

According to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook, in 2030, 60 percent, or almost two-thirds of people will live in cities in search for

a decent space in which to live, clean water and good food, which will mostly be grown outside of cities and this where urban ecology, is going to be needed.

However, urbanisation can have a serious adverse impact on the earth system in a variety of ways as it can cause habitat loss and deforestation, which can decrease species populations, ranges, biodiversity, and alter interactions among organisms.

The global population, according to the World Health Organisation, is expected to reach 9.8 billion in 2050, of which the majority will be living in cities and urban areas and this this urbanisation will challenge the global ecosystems, resources, and the way we manage our cities.

The quality of life in cities will be tied to the urban ecology where people live, and this is the reason why urban ecology in municipal environments will help make city and town areas better.

Scientists have, for a long time now, recognised that understanding and studying the interactions of the living and non-living components within urban ecosystems is important.

REFUGEES’ PUSHBACKS IN THE FACE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW

- By Ophelie Lawson

Although, ‘pushbacks’ are legally prohibited by the European Union (EU) and the international law, Europe is now allegedly embroidered in illegal pushbacks and dumping refugees at sea.

Pushback is a term that refers to “a set of state measures by which refugees and migrants are forced back over a border - generally immediately after they crossed it - without consideration of their individual circumstances and without any possibility to apply for asylum”.

Pushbacks of refugees is a sadistic, violent and an illegal practice under international law and according to reports, over 1000 human lives have been lost so far this year in the Mediterranean Sea. For many years now, people who seek asylum and migrants have been forced back and killed at EU borders by European security forces.

European governments have been carrying out pushbacks secretly in remote border areas in that humanitarian watcher groups, journalists, human rights activists and organisations have had a hard time keeping track of the pushbacks happening at borders.

The body of an Ethiopian woman was found first in a Polish-Belarusian border area in February this year. She was discovered by activists from a humanitarian group local to the area.

In April this year, it was the face of another woman from Africa who got shot on the Macedonian border, a story that was awash in social media.

Her name was Fatmata. She was just 23 years old, and she was pregnant. She’d just crossed the border from Greece, where she had just been denied sanctuary for asylum-seeking.

She was with her husband, Abu Bakar, when she got shot. After she was shot dead, He was handcuffed, driven several hours away. Fatmata’s story is not an isolated case, it is commonplace but only a few stories will be told or known, most do not.

Pushbacks are happening more and more because now it has become clear that Europe is closing its borders to migrants.

A study published by the Belgian NGO 11.11.11 in March this year stated that over 200,000 illegal pushbacks of asylum seekers took place at the EU’s external borders in 2022.

The study includes monitoring data and public reporting gathered by NGOs, media research and governments. It recorded 225,533 pushbacks at the EU’s external borders over the year, which means about more than 600 each day.

While EU law protects the right to seek asylum and enshrines the right to international protection and claims to be prohibiting collective expulsion and the principle of non-refoulement - forcible return of refugees to territories in which their life is not safe and their freedom threatened is still happening.

In April this year, some masked men were caught and filmed while forcing 12 African asylum seekers off the notorious Greek Island of Lesvos. The group of people also included a baby and children. Recently, Lithuania legalised illegal pushbacks gives greenlight to border violence.

The passing of amendments to the Lithuanian Law on the State Border and its Protection which effectively enshrine in domestic legislation the ongoing practice of border pushbacks, says a lot about the way that Europe wants to deal with forced migrants.

International law prohibits collective expulsions and the return of anyone to a country where they could face serious human rights violations.

CHRISTMAS AT WOLLATON RETURNS WITH A BRAND NEW TRAIL

- By Peter Makossah

Christmas at Wollaton is set to return to Nottingham this Christmas with a brand-new look, from Friday December 1st, 2023 - Monday January 1st, 2024.

The lights spectacular is designed around the stunning formal gardens of Wollaton Hall & Deer Park and was first launched in 2020.

The incredibly successful festive experience promises to be better than ever this year, thanks to a brand-new design team. A new creative approach will feature an array of exciting changes that have been implemented following visitor feedback.

Already established as a firm favourite in the festive calendar, Christmas at Wollaton has become a muchloved Christmas tradition for many in the East Midlands.

Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture at Nottingham City Council, Councillor, Pavlos Kotsonis, said: “Christmas at Wollaton has become a regular fixture in Nottingham’s festive calendar and it’s great to see it return with a brand-new light trail for 2023.

I’m pleased that we can offer the Nottingham city resident discount again for this year. We look forward to welcoming visitors from near and far to enjoy this enchanting and illuminating experience for all the family, in the grounds of our much-loved heritage venue.”

Nottingham City Council is working in partnership with award-winning event team Kilimanjaro to deliver the event.

After three excellent years, the organisers have hired a new design team dedicated to elevating Christmas at Wollaton to the next level, taking on board visitor feedback.

Luminism

Included in the team is internationally renowned Creative Director Katherine Jewkes, who will work

alongside light art pioneers, Luminism; a collective of lighting designers, technicians and programmers who create unique Light Art installations across the UK.

Luminism have been designing and delivering light trails and light art installations since 2006. They fuse technology with light to create immersive experiences and engaging attractions through the manipulation of light, colours, and shadows.

Tom Chennells, Managing Director at Luminism, comments: “We’re really pleased to be working with the team at Kilimanjaro and alongside Katherine to design and deliver Christmas at Wollaton 2023.”

Jewkes is an award-winning Creative Director, specialising in digital and immersive experiences for over 15 years. She has brought adventurous ideas to life for leading names such as Twitter, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and the BBC, and has worked for National Theatre Wales, Manchester International Festival, Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris) and Louvre (Abu Dhabi).

Jewkes who is also the Creative Director of Bristol Light Festival comments: “We’re looking forward to creating an exciting new look for 2023, where we will reimagine the unique grounds of Wollaton Hall. I am so excited to bring Christmas joy to visitors at Wollaton this December.”

Excited

Organisers at Kilimanjaro commented on the return and revamp for 2023: “We’re incredibly excited to be back in Nottingham for a fourth year.

Adds Jewkes: “The new design team have created a whole new look for this year’s event, and we can’t wait to share with everyone how spectacular Christmas at Wollaton is going to be.

“This year we are offering visitors an incredible 25% off if they join the waiting list which will give them early access to the guaranteed lowest prices.”

NOTTINGHAM CASTLE CELEBRATES WINDRUSH 75TH ANNIVERSARY

- By Julius Mwangi

A new exhibition marking the Windrush generation’s contribution to British life over the last 75 years will be among the first new exhibitions at Nottingham Castle when it reopened in June this year.

The exhibition was made available to view from the opening day on Monday June 26 through to November 5th, 2023. and along with all the other galleries, it was included in the admission price of £1 for the opening day, or £12 for adults allowing yearround access, with accompanied kids aged 15 and below going free.

Entitled ‘70 Objeks & Tings,’ it has been brought to the Castle by Museum and the National Caribbean Heritage Museum, in collaboration with Nottingham City Museums exhibition team.

The exhibition was staged as a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the landing of SS Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks on June 22, 1948, carrying passengers from the Caribbean who had been invited by Britain to help with post-war construction.

The exhibition is a fun and inspiring way to learn more about the Windrush Generation through the voices and collected objects of British-Caribbean families.

The title has a nod to patois, a traditional form of language for many Caribbeans, with ‘objeks and tings’ referring to the things that Caribbeans, especially those of the Windrush Generation, hold dear and are important to them.

The collected items give insight into exploring

the broad themes of the exhibition, which include Caribbean Food; Caribbean Contributions to the Caribbean; Caribbean Homes in the UK; Caribbean Hair; Beauty and Dress; and Caribbean Culture. The exhibition, in Temporary Gallery 4, is accompanied by a book of the same title, which is available for sale at the Castle shop, and has been designed as a companion to the exhibition to give people the chance to get up close and personal to some of the ‘objeks and tings’ themselves.

There will be events and activities throughout the time the exhibition is hosted at Nottingham Castle, giving everyone in the city the chance to engage with Caribbean heritage and culture in a new way.

Catherine Ross, Founder Director of Museumand, said: “It is great to be working back in my home city of Nottingham and a privilege to be showing our celebratory exhibition at Nottingham Castle.

“Working with the community and local people will be an exhilarating experience and we hope that everyone will join us to tell their stories of Nottingham’s Caribbean communities. The plans we have for sharing Caribbean heritage from Windrush Day right through to the end of Black History Month will showcase the amazing contribution of Caribbeans to the UK over the past 75 in our signature approach - fun, learning and a passion for heritage.

“We hope our exhibition will resonate with all cultures and communities, after all we are all connected, wherever we are from.”

COMMUNITY GARDENING AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

- By Bilikis Ishola

Gardening is a great way to engage with nature and what better way to do this than in groups.

Community gardening is a concept beyond just growing and harvesting produce, it entails various benefits for members of the community and the environment as a whole.

Based on the 2021 census, data showed that 87% of UK households had access to a garden. However, this translated to the fact that 1 in 8 persons don’t have access to outdoor space at this time.

More so, unemployed persons or those with unskilled jobs were three times less likely to have a garden in comparison to those in professional occupations. This showed that though gardening might be desirous by many, not all can afford to engage in or have access to it.

Inequality in accessibility

Recent research by the People and Nature Survey (PANS) across England, on how people experience and think about the environment, showed that though many people found solace in nature especially during the pandemic, there is inequality in accessibility to engagements and connections to nature across various groups.

Factors such as low household income, fewer qualifications, being unemployed, or even bad health, were all identified to contribute to higher risks of reduced engagements and access to nature. However, the positive impacts of nature and green spaces to the community were very apparent in the PANS data, as 94% of adults felt that spending time outdoors was good for their physical health, and 92% thought it was also good for their mental health.

In his article, Niellah Arboine described the concept of community gardening, as a means of socializing and illustrated how a garden in Highgate London, called Omved, was transformed through community effort, from a neglected patch of concrete into, “a diverse eco-habitat with a wildflower meadow,

an orchard and a vegetable garden, exploring the nature of the relationship between people and their connection to the environment.”

This description captures the benefits of community gardening wholesomely, entailing the process of planting, tending to nature, contributing to green spaces in the environment while also engaging and connecting with fellow members of the community.

Environment and biodiversity

The benefits of community gardening also include positive impacts on the environment and biodiversity and the more community gardens are established, the greener spaces there are.

According to Professor Alistair Griffiths, of Royal Horticultural society: “We are at an exciting time, for both gardens and people. There is an everincreasing body of scientific evidence that gardens and gardening are good for our physical, mental, and social wellbeing.” I couldn’t agree less with his statement.

By engaging in community gardening, members of the community become more physically active thus, improving on their sedentary lifestyle.

Various not-for-profits organisations are at the forefront of establishing community gardens, however they are usually faced with the constraint of resources to kick off the project, which sometimes deters them from delving on.

Thus, it’s been quite fulfilling for me, to work with Pathway Housing Solutions, on the launch of its community garden project in Nottingham.

Pathway Housing Solutions, a not-for-profit organisation in Nottingham, is set to launch a project tagged ‘The Garden’ on building a community garden in Sneinton area of Nottingham and the project aims to support members of the community.

It aims to be an inclusive garden open to everyone, including refugees, asylum seekers and those learning English.

NOTTINGHAM COUNCIL’S HOUSING SERVICES AWARDED NATIONAL ACCREDITATION

- By Julius Mwangi

Nottingham City Council’s Housing Services division has received recognition of excellence on Landlord Accreditation from the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS).

TPAS is the national organisation dedicated to improving tenant engagement standards in social and council housing. It brings together tenants and landlords to make sure that tenants are involved and can have their say on the services provided by their landlord, to drive improvement in those services.

Landlord Accreditation from TPAS recognises good practice in this area and it also helps landlords develop a strong culture of involvement and drive improvements with tenants and customers.

Councillor Jay Hayes, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “This accreditation underlines what we already knew - that tenant involvement is taken seriously here in Nottingham - involvement makes a real difference to the communities that we serve, to the quality of our estates, and to the city as a whole.”

There are many ways that council tenants can hold their landlord to account. Nottingham’s Housing Services has a tenant-led scrutiny panel that is continuously reviewing services and making suggestions for improvement, helping to influence decision-making and inform performance improvement.

Kevin Lowry, Strategic Director of Housing, said, “This achievement is thoroughly deserved, and I’d like to thank tenants, colleagues and Board members who participated in the review that has allowed us to achieve this accreditation.

“We have a positive culture of engagement in place across Housing Services, and we’re dedicated to continually improving in this area now that housing management has returned to the Council.”

There are also 136 Street and Block Champions across the city, numerous community groups and several service-based groups that were formed in response to demand; these include the Tenant Repairs Group, the Damp and Mould Steering Group, the ASB Service Improvement Group and the Building Safety Steering Group.

Jenny Osbourne MBE, Chief Executive of TPAS, said, “By completing the rigorous accreditation process we have in place.

“Nottingham’s housing services have demonstrated a serious commitment to resident involvement that ensures an effective approach and best value for money for everyone in the city.”

Nottingham City Council tenants who would like to know more about the opportunities to get involved can do so by calling 0115 746 9100 or emailing involved@nottinghamcity.gov.uk.

NOTTINGHAM WRAPS UP NATIONAL HIGHWAYSFUNDED ELECTRIC VAN EXPERIENCE TRIAL

- By Peter Makossah

An innovative trial offering local businesses in Nottingham and Derby the chance to try electric vehicles before they buy has ended with 79 organisations planning to take on 158 electric or hybrid vehicles.

More than £2.6m of funding from National Highways (and an equivalent of £1m from Nottingham City Council made the two-year trial possible.

The aim was to speed adoption of electric vehicles ahead of the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars, as well as contribute to Nottingham’s carbon-neutral ambitions and help clean up the city’s air.

Councillor Angela Kandola, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport and Planning at Nottingham City Council, said: “It’s fantastic to hear businesses and organisations in Nottingham and Derby have had a great experience with their loan of an electric van and that this trial has provided confidence in making the switch in the future.

“We’ll look forward to seeing the final report and hearing the learnings from other councils who have taken part, so that as a country we can remove some of the barriers to electric vehicle adoption and help us on our way to limiting harmful emissions and air pollution.”

The trial in numbers:

• A total of 55 electric vans purchased by Nottingham City Council.

• 122 loans of vans - the council lent the vans for up to a month, allowing businesses to fully experience the pros and cons of going electric.

• 61 free workplace charging points installed.

• 73% of businesses and organisations involved in EVE responding to a survey plan to make the switch and buy or lease battery electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids.

Feedback from local businesses has been very positive. Ross Kemp, from ASAP Watercrafts, in Roden Street, said: “If it wasn’t for the Electric Van Experience, I don’t think I would have had the confidence to buy an electric car for the business.

“There are still some unknowns regarding electric vehicles. However, thanks to EVE, I was able to answer questions like how to charge, how to work with cables and what kind of electric car would fit best with my company’s activities.

“Knowing that I did not have to go to the petrol station and knowing that you’re not polluting and it’s good for the environment, made each journey more fun and rewarding.”

With regards the higher cost of the vehicles still being a hurdle, Ross pointed to the lower costs related to maintaining an electric vehicle as a positive: “No road fees, less maintenance required, and charging is cheaper than petrol”.

Local businesses including funeral directors A.W. Lymm and Parcelhub who took part in the trial have now made the switch and invested in their own green electric vehicles.

Integrating within the business

Managing Director at the firm, Matthew Lymn Rose, explains why they decided to trial the electric experience: “EVE has allowed us to trial electric without the up-front costs of buying an electric van and setting up the charging points. It was a great opportunity to see how it would integrate within the business.”

Not long after participating in EVE, ParcelHub bought nine Maxus eDeliver 9’s for the business.

They announced last year a commitment to invest £450,000 in the rollout of electric vehicles within their regional depot network, starting with Nottingham and Dinnington with additional allelectric vans added to the fleet across all sites as the electric charging infrastructure is expanded.

The 55 electric vans used in the EVE trial will now join the City Council’s vehicle fleet, replacing older vans that used petrol or diesel engines.

These are used for activities including deliveries, cleaning up rubbish and more - taking Nottingham City Council’s overall fleet to 42% electric.

FAMILY OF MURDERED CLIFTON MOTHER AND CHILDREN RELIEVED AS KILLER IS JAILED FOR LIFE FOR TRIPLE MURDER -

The family of a mother and two children who were gruesomely murdered in a flat fire by a psychopath neighbour say they are relieved their sensless killer has been brought to justice.

The vile murderer Jamie Barrow was found guilty of the murders of Fatoumatta Hydara, aged 28, Fatimah Drammeh, aged three, and one-year-old Naeemah Drammeh after starting a fire at their home in Fairisle Close, Clifton, in the early hours of 20 November 2022.

Barrow, 31, a cruel murderer and arsonist, who lived in the same block of flats as the young family, was sentenced to life imprisonment on July 7, 2023 at the Nottingham Crown Court.

Barrow, who was was convicted of three counts of murder for deliberately starting the fire and he was ordered to serve a minimum jail term of 44 years. The court heard Barrow took fuel from his motorbike, poured it through the letterbox of the family’s Fairisle Close flat and set it alight in the early hours of 20 November.

By Julius Mwangi

hold for five minutes before leaving the area with his dog as other neighbours rushed to try to help.

He later returned and pretended to know nothing about the fire, only later admitting to police that he started it. Mrs Tipples said: “It is only you who knows why you did this. The reasons are impossible to understand from your evidence.”

Cruel and heartless

The family of Fatoumatta, Fatimah and Naeemah said in a joint statement: “Words cannot quantify how much our family have suffered because of the horrific actions of one man.

“Neither can we quantify the emotional, psychological, physiological and financial impact of the crime Jamie Barrow committed against Fatoumatta, Fatimah and Naeemah.

“His actions were utterly heartless and cruel - and have caused a multigenerational trauma that we will never understand. “Fatoumatta was a caring daughter, wife, sister, mother and friend. If love and compassion could make a person immortal, she would have lived forever.

Further said the family: “She had a pure heart and was greatly loved for her personality and qualities. She was the most incredible mother to Fatimah and Naeemah, two angels who deserved a beautiful childhood and a full life.

“Nottingham and the rest of the world have been denied potential future teachers, civil servants, doctors - who knows what they could have been? “They lived a short but meaningful life, such was the joy and happiness they brought to us all.

He had admitted the manslaughter of the mother and her children but denied murdering them claiming he thought the flat was empty when he started the fire. Mrs Hydara and her children died from smoke inhalation.

Sentencing, Judge Amanda Tipples said Barrow started a fireball that would have filled the flat with thick, toxic smoke within moments. She said she was sure Barrow knew the family were inside and had heard Mrs Hydara’s screams but did nothing to help. The judge said Barrow had watched the fire take

“People repeatedly ask us how we as a family managed to stay calm and composed in the court room, the only true answer to this is the strength and patience given to us by Allah and our Khalifa as he always advises us to follow the law of the country and to stay steadfast.

NOTTINGHAM HIGH SHERIFF FETES YOUNG PEOPLE OVER GRANDIOSE ACHIEVEMENTS

- By Peter Makossah

The weather was beautiful and kind - it was a colourful, momentous and one of the nice and cosy but sunniest Sunday afternoon - with an aura of unity and togetherness oozing everywhere.

At 12:56 pm, prompt, three RAF airplanes flew over the RSPB Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre at Edwinstowe in a formation including a spitfire in honour of the new Nottingham’s ‘gaffer’ who is also an honorary air commodore to the merriment of the invited guests. It was breathtakingly mesmerising. People from all backgrounds, race, creed, and beliefs came in all ages and sizes, from far and wide, inside and outside the UK gathered together in the gardens of Sherwood Forest in the outskirts of Nottinghamshire to celebrate one of their own, a special one - and a great daughter of the universe.

which provides aerial displays throughout the year at major events, including festivals, fairs and fetes flew the iconic Supermarine Spitfire to revere Professor Pickering, a philanthropist, youth empowerment advocate, passionate life coach.

Professor Pickering, who was born in Kisii County in Kenya, but migrated to the UK in the 1960s, is the first black person of colour, first African and first Kenyan to be installed as the High Sheriff of Nottingham in history.

Making her keynote address, Professor Pickering said: “I want to say something wide and broader about why young people are so important to my work and have been for the rest of my career.

“When I was asked, I was literally asked, which charity are you going to support as High Sheriff? Now, I know the pattern and style of this, and this is to choose one charity, but knowing me, it is impossible to do so.”

Added Professor Pickering: “So, my approach to this is to bring the people together to celebrate the achievements of young people. If I celebrate the young people, I am celebrating the people who brought them up and that is a win.”

Professor Pickering said by bringing the young people into such space as the garden party that she hosted, people would connect and make friendships.

“I know that you, you, and you, you will in some way and that way it may help young people and the organisations they represent and if you wish you can take them on and support them and do something more.

The event which was held on a sunny Sunday afternoon on June 11, 2023, was marked by pomp, flair, funfair, and grandeur with an ambience that was dictated by tones of bountiful air of hope and promise whizzing through with an assuring array of cool, fresh and breezy atmosphere.

Sumptuous party

It was a sumptuous garden party hosted by the newly minted High Sheriff of Nottingham, Professor Veronica Pickering to celebrate the outstanding achievements of young people around the county with a spectacular flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) which roared across the skies above the Mansfield area.

The BBMF is a Royal Air Force unit, based in Lincolnshire,

The event was graced by high-placed dignitaries who included High Sheriffs from Derby and Northampton and many important persons from Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County.

Nottingham connected

Flypast honour

The flypast was part of Professor Pickering’s Garden Party Reception at Sherwood Forest, which she hosted in honour of the myriad achievements by the youth groups, Black, Asian, and ethnic minority communities and conservation efforts that have been made across Nottinghamshire.

The iconic Supermarine Spitfire, which flew over young people’s achievement reception was an act of honour for Professor Pickering, who is a formidable champion of charity, for her unmatched dedication and commitment to humanitarian work.

The High Sheriff Garden party reception was attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Sir John Peace, and a rare gathering of high sheriffs from several other counties.

The event featured guest speakers, music, including singing by the choir of St Giles School in Retford, artistic performances and entertainment by the mediaeval re-enactment group, the Sherwood Outlaws.

The flypast was a recognition of her role as honorary air commodore of the RAF’s 5504 of the County of Nottingham Squadron, with whom she has been working on issues of diversity and inclusion.

Throughout her professional life she dedicated herself to serving the interests of the young people and she has worked as a social worker and a children’s guardian, and also as an international child protection consultant for the United Nations. She is a patron, ambassador or trustee for several charities, and a campaigner for diversity, young people’s organisations, the arts, and wildlife in Nottinghamshire.

In his remarks, Dean of University of Nottingham Business School, Professor, David Parks, an expert in entrepreneurship and innovation said Professor Veronica Pickering is a larger-than-life philanthropist who always put the interests of young people first before hers.

Professor Parks said: “You are admired by the University of Nottingham and everybody in Nottingham and beyond. We are delighted to be part of your journey in a quest to support the young people.

“Supporting young people is preparing the future. Investing in young people is investing in the future, as they are the future leaders.”

The day will forever be etched on the minds of many young people for a lifetime.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE DAY CELEBRATIONS RETURN AT ROBIN HOOD FESTIVAL

- By Peter Makossah

All is set, ready and rearing to go for this year’s Nottinghamshire Day, which is scheduled to be celebrated as part of the annual Robin Hood Festival at Sherwood Forest next month.

Following the official marking of Nottinghamshire Day itself on Friday 25 August, communities are invited to come and celebrate at the Robin Hood Festival on Saturday 26 August from 10:00 am until 4pm.

With celebrations now in their third year, Nottinghamshire Day is an opportunity for the county to come together and recognise all the things that make Notts great; our history, heritage, identity, culture, and local traditions.

Throughout the event day, there will be a host of interactive events and activities including storytelling, guided walks, medieval musicians, quizzes, archery, and axe throwing, plus more.

Back by popular demand, crowd favourites, The Sherwood Outlaws, will be returning to bring the legend of Robin Hood to life with their all-action arena show and it is expected that the Sheriff of Nottingham’s troops will get the better of the outlaws in combat -or will Robinhood and his Merry Band prove too skilled with the blade and the bow? You surely don’t need to miss this spectacular event. Also new for this year is a family-focused zone where festivalgoers of all ages can get involved and enjoy a range of activities including Inspires the Big Draw and Time to Connect photography.

More detail on what’s in store for Nottinghamshire Day celebrations will be revealed in the coming weeks so keep an eye on our event page for

more information: Nottinghamshire Day Festival Nottinghamshire County Council

County Council Leader, Councillor Ben Bradley, MP said: “We are proud to be hosting Nottinghamshire Day celebrations for the second year at Sherwood Forest. It’s a great opportunity to come together and celebrate some of the best things about our county.”

Councillor John Cottee, Cabinet Member for Communities at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “I am delighted that we are once again marking Nottinghamshire Day to celebrate all that’s great about our county - from the cultural attractions, world-class green spaces, and, of course, the residents who make this county such a wonderful place to live, work and visit.

“There are lots of great partner organisations involved in the day. It’ll be wonderful to be back at the home of Robin Hood, RSPB Sherwood Forest, as part of their popular Robin Hood Festival, as well as working with Inspire libraries and archives, our outdoor education service Notts Outdoors, and Veolia our waste and recycling partners, among many others.

“In previous years, we’ve seen #NottsDay trending on social media and celebrated local talent at special events, and I’m confident that this year’s event will continue to build on those successes and be a wonderful celebration of all things Notts.”

Working with our partners RSPB, which manages the Sherwood Forest National Nature Reserve on behalf of the county council, this event coincides with the return of the much-loved Robin Hood Festival which is taking place over five weekends from 30 July to 27 August.

PATRA INCORPORATING ACDA AWARDED NATIONAL LOTTERY COMMUNITY FUNDING

- By Erin O’Donoghue

PATRA incorporating ACDA, a Nottingham localbased charity organisation is over the moon celebrating after being awarded £413,220 in funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK. Reacting to the good news, PATRA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tyron Browne, elatedly said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, this grant means that we can continue to battle the historical disadvantages and systematic and structural settings that create massive blockages to social movement for young people and families.

“This will make a big difference to people’s lives,” added Browne.

PATRA was set up as a direct response to tackle the issues of under-representation of BAME employees in the public sector in general; of social exclusion and disadvantage of BAME communities across the City with particular emphasis on school leavers who had under performed.

As PATRA is gearing up for its remarkable 40th birthday, the organisation wants to expand its support and services and to be more holistic

by addressing young people’s needs in a more encompassing manner and expanding their opportunities within a wider community setting. This new National Lottery funding will provide targeted support to offer early intervention and support for young people within their families and communities.

PATRA will be providing the Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC) parenting programme, designed to help parents to think about their own experiences, culture and family background have shaped their parenting style. PATRA will also be offering parental engagement and understanding the system programmes to help parents fully understand and engage with their children’s education.

PATRA has committed to supporting 120 young people and 200 parents for each of the three years of the funding. After the three years PATRA will have supported nearly 1000 Nottingham residents. For more information or to access some of the support services mentioned please call 0115 942 2440 or email info@patraeastmidlands.co.uk.

OF WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND CHANGE

DRIVING

- By Oluwatosin Ogunleye and Ashani Erandi Higure Arachchilage

Women are now in the saddle as they live in a time of tremendous progress and unprecedented opportunities the world can offer and they’re grabbing the chances by the horns.

We celebrate the spirit and remarkable achievements of women around the world, it is essential to shine a spotlight on women empowerment and acknowledge the ongoing efforts to drive positive change.

The path to women empowerment has been marked by countless pioneers who fought tirelessly for gender equality, breaking barriers, and challenging societal norms and women’s unwavering determination and resilience have laid the foundation for the advancements in society as we see it today.

One vital aspect of women empowerment is access to education as education equips women with knowledge, skills, and the confidence to shape their own futures - it empowers them to challenge discrimination and prejudice, enabling them to lead fulfilling lives while contributing to the improvement of their communities.

Organisations like Mojatu Foundation, a humanitarian charitable organisation, recognises this and work to ensure that education is accessible to all women, regardless of their circumstances, race, and beliefs.

In many parts of the world, economic empowerment remains a crucial pillar of women’s progress. By enabling women to access economic opportunities and resources, we can unlock their full potential and foster inclusive growth. Through initiatives such as training programmes, Mojatu is empowering women to become agents of change in their communities, nurturing their entrepreneurial spirit and supporting them in overcoming barriers. However, empowerment goes beyond education and entrepreneurial opportunities-it also involves amplifying women’s voices and ensuring their active participation in decision-making processes - when women are included at all levels of society, including leadership positions, they bring diverse perspectives, innovative ideas, and a unique approach to problem-solving.

Mojatu Foundation appreciates and recognises that women need to be empowered and as a result

they actively promote women’s representation and participation in governance, politics, and community development, creating platforms for them to be heard and celebrated.

Mojatu Foundation director of operations Angela Wathoni said: “Crucially, women’s empowerment is a collective responsibility that requires the active involvement of both men and women. We must challenge gender stereotypes and dismantle systemic barriers that hinder progress.

“Through advocacy, awareness campaigns, and capacity building, Mojatu is fostering a culture of gender equality and promoting this from individuals all the way to major organisations.”

To reward their philanthropic work, Mojatu has received an international award from the Women’s Federation for World Peace.

By engaging men as allies in the pursuit of women empowerment, we can foster a more inclusive society and create lasting change. As we celebrate the achievements of women in various fields, let us remember that the journey towards true gender equality is far from over.

Said Wathoni: “We must remain committed to dismantling patriarchal structures, ensuring equal opportunities, and addressing inequalities faced by women from certain communities.

“Let’s work alongside Mojatu and continue to shine a spotlight on women empowerment. Together, we can create a world where every woman’s potential is realised, and gender equality becomes a lived reality.”

STREET DRINKING BAN EXTENDED FOR THREE MORE YEARS

- By Julius Mwangi

People will still not be allowed to drink beer willy-nilly in the streets of Nottingham as the legal restrictions banning drinking alcohol in streets across the city have been extended for a further three years.

The Public Spaces Protection Orders are due to run out this October, and the council’s Executive Board has this week agreed for them to be extended for a further three years. Similar restrictions have been in place since 2005 and have to be renewed every three years.

The powers have been used over 5,000 times over the past three years and have been critical in supporting the council’s aims of dealing effectively with alcohol-related anti-social behaviour. Without the use of these powers, it is expected that alcohol related anti-social behaviour would increase and cause significant problems for businesses, citizens and visitors to Nottingham.

disruptive street drinking quickly and effectively.”

A consultation on the extension was held earlier this year and while no responses were received from residents or businesses, the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police fully support the extension. They commented that “this PSPO is an essential tool in reducing the risks inherent to the city centre, particularly in relation to anti-social street drinking during the day and incidents of violence and disorder associated with the policing of sporting events and night-time economy policing.”

The PSPOs cover the whole of the city of Nottingham from the city centre to suburbs like Clifton, Wollaton and Bulwell - and allow Community Protection Officers to fine offenders. Under the orders, a Community Protection Officer can:

The PSPOs help tackle anti-social behaviours associated with street drinking, including vomiting, urinating and defecating in public areas, littering, violence, aggressive or intimidating behaviour and criminal damage.

However, the police say, they are not preventing people having a picnic in a park where alcohol is consumed responsibly, for example.

Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods, Safety and Inclusion, Councillor Sajid Mohammed, said: “Street drinking can result in unpleasant anti-social behaviour - including noise, rowdy and threatening behaviour, harassment and intimidation of passersby, as well as the littering of cans and bottles.

“We have a huge active night-time economy in Nottingham, and although it’s only a small minority who disrupt our city in this way, these measures allow our Community Protection Officers to deal with

REMEMBERING TINA TURNER: WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

- By Peter Makossah

She was iconic and a queen who represented power, and an inspiration to many a woman.

The word “icon” is thrown around willy-nilly a lot these days, but the charismatic singer of explosive power was the epitome of all that, a bright shining star, and more.

The earthshaking singer whose rasping vocals, sexual magnetism and explosive energy made her an unforgettable live performer and one of the most successful recording artists of all time.

The legendary pop star, soulful singer and electric performer, Tina Turner who was born died in May this year at the age of 83 at her home in Küsnacht, Switzerland, near Zurich, leaving behind an indelible legacy that spanned decades across the music world, the stage, and the screen.

Tina Turner, who was born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, in Brownsville, Tenn, northeast of Memphis, spent her earliest years on the Poindexter farm in Nutbush, where she sang in the Spring Hill Baptist Church choir.

The impeccable Tina Turner was widely hailed in the 1960s for her dynamic performances with her first husband, Ike, she became a sensation as a recording artist, often echoing her personal struggles in her songs.

She embarked on her half-century career in the late 1950s, while still attending high school, when she

began singing with Ike Turner and his band, the Kings of Rhythm. At first, she was only an occasional performer, but she soon became the group’s star attraction - and Mr. Turner’s wife.

With her potent, bluesy voice and her frenetic dancing style, she made an instant impression - she became the people’s favourite - their ensemble, soon renamed the Ike and Tina Turner Revue, became one of the premier touring soul acts in Black venues on the so-called chitlin’ circuit.

“In the context of today’s show business, Tina Turner must be the most sensational professional onstage,” Ralph J. Gleason, the influential jazz and pop critic for The San Francisco Chronicle, wrote in in 1969: “She comes on like a hurricane. She dances and twists and shakes and sings and the impact is instant and total.”

After she escaped the marriage in her 30s, her career faltered. However, her solo album “Private Dancer,” released in 1984, returned her to the spotlight and lifted her into the pop stratosphere.

Tina Turner became a worldwide phenomenon in 1988 - She appeared before about 180,000 people at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, breaking a record for the largest paying audience for a solo artist.

After her “Twenty-Four Seven” tour in 2000 sold more than $100 million in tickets, Guinness World Records announced that she had sold more concert tickets than any other solo performer in history. Her legacy lives on, forever.

AN APPROACH TO THE BOOK OF CULTURAL CODES

- By Angelo Moletta

The book “The Cultural Code” by Clotaire Rapaille discusses the importance of cultural codes in shaping our perception and behaviour as consumers.

The author, a cultural psychology specialist, argues that to understand consumer motivations, one must comprehend the culture in which they exist and the codes that govern it.

Rapaille’s concept of cultural code emphasizes the importance of understanding the beliefs, values, and patterns of behaviour that influence consumer behaviour in a particular culture.

By understanding these codes, companies can create products and services that are better suited to the needs and desires of local consumers, increasing their chances of success in the market.

The book is divided into three parts. In the first, Rapaille presents the idea that culture is a set of codes that shape how people think and act regarding certain subjects - He argues that to understand consumer behaviour, one must understand the cultural codes that govern their perception.

In the second part, the author presents various market research studies conducted in different countries to understand how cultural codes affect consumer perception of certain products.

He asserts that many companies fail when attempting to sell their products in other countries without understanding the local culture and the cultural codes that govern it. For example, in one of his studies, Rapaille discovered that in the United States, the cultural code surrounding automobiles is associated with the idea of freedom.

In France, the same code is associated with elegance

and sophistication. This means that to sell a car in the United States, companies need to emphasize the idea of freedom, while in France, they need to emphasize elegance and sophistication. In the third part, Rapaille discusses the importance of archetypes in shaping cultural codes.

According to him, archetypes are universal patterns of behaviour shared by all cultures that influence how people think and act regarding certain subjects.

For example, the archetype of the hero is associated with the idea of courage and overcoming obstacles and can be found in different cultures around the world and this means that when selling a product, companies can use the hero archetype to create an emotional connection with the consumer and emphasize the idea of courage and overcoming obstacles.

In summary, “The Cultural Code” is a book that explores the importance of cultural codes in shaping consumer perception and behaviour.

The author presents a multidisciplinary approach involving psychology, anthropology, and marketing to understand how cultural codes affect how people think and act regarding certain products and services.

Rapaille presents various market research studies to illustrate his theory and shows how companies can use cultural codes and archetypes to create emotional connections with their consumers and increase sales.

The book is an interesting read for those interested in psychology, anthropology, and marketing, and can be useful for professionals working in product development and marketing.

MUSIC LEGEND LUCIUS BANDA URGES DIASPORA AFRICANS IN NOTTINGHAM TO EMBRACE THE ‘SPIRIT OF UBUNTHU’ -

By Julius Mwangi

One of Africa’s iconic music legends and Malawi’s greatest music royalty, singer, songwriter, performer-cum-politician, Lucius Banda, who is popularly known as ‘Soldier of the Poor’ has urged Africans living in Nottingham to be united and embrace the Spirit of Ubunthu’ among themselves.

their cultural identity.

“We must not forget where we are coming from. Let us help in building our nations so that the future generations will not come here to seek green pastures.

“Wherever we are let always remember home. Let us be part of the people building Africa to be a better place.”

The independence family get-together shindig, dubbed, ‘Malawians celebrating in the Park,’ attracted people from across the African community in Nottingham and from other cities across the UK.

Director of Midlands African Hideout, Richard Tapomwa Makeke in an interview says he is honoured and humbled to host at his premises one of Africa’s greatest music icons.

Said Makeke: “We are very humbled to have had Lucius Banda playing at our place. It is an honour for us to have this great son of the soil. Every Zimbabwean growing up in the 90s grew up on Lucius Banda’s music. “

Lucius Banda says he is happy to have performed in Nottingham again after three years.

Lucius Banda, who is Malawi president Dr. Lazarus Chakwera’s advisor on youth and culture made the plea in Nottingham as he presided over the Malawi’s 59 Independence family day Celebrations on July 16, 2023, held at the Midlands African Hideout Unity Casual Cricket Club in Lenton where he also performed to the merriment of Malawians and other African nationals.

The Malawi musician said: “I would like to urge you all my African brothers and sisters living in Nottingham to love one another and embrace the spirit of ubunthu, which means that as people from the motherland, you must be united, treat each other as one and ensure that you support each other.

“Africa is one and all of us regardless of which part of Africa we come from, we are one people, and I, therefore, beseech you all my brothers and sisters to love one another and to live together in peace and harmony.

The Start again hitmaker, who has 20 albums under his belt, therefore, encourages the African diaspora in Nottingham to maintain their Africanism and culture and to always be proud of

“Nottingham is home to me. I am very connected to this city having performed at the Splendour Music Festival in 2009 and the memories of that great experience are still fresh.”

Lucius Banda is one of greatest musicians of all times to have come from Malawi and he is considered to be one of the pioneers in Malawi’s music industry.

CELEBRATING DISABILITY PRIDE AND EMBRACING INCLUSION

- By Angelo Moletta

Throughout July, a significant celebration is Disability Pride Month, an occasion that honours the accomplishments, struggles, and resilience of people with disabilities.

This awareness has helped to shed light on the importance of inclusivity of all members of our society. Disability Pride Month, observed throughout the month of July, provides an opportunity to challenge societal stigmas and foster an inclusive environment for people with disabilities. It seeks to shift the focus from disabilities as limitations to disabilities as part of a diverse range of human experiences.

By embracing disability pride, we can dismantle stereotypes, foster understanding, and celebrate the achievements of individuals who have overcome barriers to lead fulfilling lives.

We are further encouraged to recognise the strengths and contributions of those with disabilities in various spheres of life. Whether it is within the arts, sports, or academia, individuals with disabilities have demonstrated immense resilience and triumphed over adversity.

This month offers a major platform to showcase their talents, skills, and accomplishments, raising awareness of their capabilities and challenging preconceived notions.

During this month, it is crucial to emphasise the importance of accessibility and inclusion in all aspects of life.

Accessible physical spaces, inclusive education, employment opportunities, and access to healthcare are some of the key areas that demand attention and improvement.

By advocating for universal accessibility and inclusion, we can create a society that values and respects the rights of every individual, ensuring that no one is left behind.

This month can also serve as a source of empowerment for individuals with disabilities. It instils a sense of pride in their identity, fostering selfacceptance and confidence.

By empowering individuals with disabilities, we can enable them to become active participants in society, allowing their voices to be heard and their rights to be respected. Through education, support, and opportunities, we can break down barriers and create a world where all individuals can thrive.

Collaboration and advocacy are essential components of within Disability Pride Month. it is an opportunity for individuals, organisations, and communities to come together, share experiences, and work towards common goals - by joining forces, we can enhance the voices of individuals with disabilities, advocate for policy changes, and drive social and systemic transformations to promote total inclusivity.

NOTTINGHAM LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY DELVES INTO WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE

- By Peter Makossah

We have all heard of the Suffragettes, but a meeting between Nottingham Local History Society and Mo Cooper who aptly gave the narrative a local angle in her talk about Women’s Suffrage in Nottingham.

In the 1860s, some upper-class women began a campaign for the right to vote and called themselves Suffragists.

Suffrage groups were established in Nottingham, Mansfield, Southwell and Hucknall, with committees comprising both ladies and gentlemen.

Some male civic leaders and members of the clergy such as the Bishops of Southwell and Nottingham were supportive of the cause, as were some MPs including Winston Churchill, and Press reports of the movement’s early meetings were favourable.

When women’s rights supporter, John Stuart Mill MP presented the 1,500 name Suffrage Petition to Parliament in 1866, the petition included the signatures of 50 Nottingham ladies.

By the turn of the century further petitions were made to Parliament to no avail and three Private Members Bills were rejected which led to the peaceful ‘United Procession of Women’ in London in 1907 which became known as “the mud march.”

In 1911, just before the coronation of King George V, the bigger “coronation procession” took place when 40,000 women marched including 3,000 from 40 Nottingham groups.

Many women protested silently by boycotting the 1911 census, or defacing ballot sheets with the slogan “If women don’t count, don’t count women”.

Disappointment and frustration led to the formation of a more militant group called the Suffragettes taking more forceful action such as smashing windows and vandalising post boxes.

Christabel and Emmeline Pankhurst, and Princess Sophie Deelup Singh came to meetings in Nottinghamshire to rally the cause.

These more militant meetings were beginning to receive less sympathetic press coverage, and the local media reported on a disorderly meeting with heckling by an unruly crowd resulting in the meeting being abandoned, and a mass meeting in Nottingham’s marketplace in July 1909 where missiles and fruit were thrown.

Amongst the more militant Nottinghamshire suffragettes was Helen Watts, daughter of the Vicar of Holy Trinity in Lenton, who was arrested outside the House of Commons.

She was imprisoned in Holloway where she went on hunger strike and was forcefully fed, as were Nellie Crocker and Fanny Gladys Roberts, both organizers in the Nottingham office of the Women’s Social & Political Union, who had been arrested for vandalism.

OPEN-AIR THEATRE SEASON RETURNS TO WOLLATON PARK AND NEWSTEAD ABBEY

- By Peter Makossah

Exciting news for Nottingham theatre lovers as the popular Open-Air Theatre Season returns to Wollaton Hall and Deer Park and Newstead Abbey and Gardens this summer with a full bang with new cultural and traditional sizzling-hot performances. Audiences are invited to pack their picnics, camping chairs and blankets to enjoy theatre in the great outdoors from June to September. This year, the stages will be located in the Formal Gardens at Wollaton Park and on Byron’s Lawn at Newstead Abbey.

Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Planning at Nottingham City Council, said: “I’m delighted to see a brilliant new programme of Open-Air Theatre at Wollaton and Newstead this summer.

“There is something for everyone, with performances ranging from Frances Hodgson Burnett to Jane Austen, and from Shakespeare to Oscar Wilde. I am looking forward to long summer evenings and the return of outdoor theatre against the backdrop of our stunning heritage venues.”

First up is David Walliams’ Bad Dad, where Frank’s father Gilbert has become a get-away driver for the local baddies. Can they navigate their way through car chases and convicts in the struggle to escape the clutches of the local crime lord?

Younger audiences will also enjoy The Secret Garden, the much-loved tale of secrecy and curiosity following Mary Lennox and her new

life at Misselthwaite Manor. A new production of Nottingham’s own Robin Hood promises a funpacked family show, complete with an archery competition involving the entire audience.

The classic stories of Sense and Sensibility and The Importance of Being Earnest are performed by Chapterhouse Theatre Company in full period costume. Fans of traditional Shakespeare are invited to join The Lord Chamberlain’s Men for the timeless and classic love story Romeo & Juliet.

With a history stretching back to William Shakespeare himself they present this great play as he first saw it, in the open air, with an all-male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance.

Shakespeare lovers can also take part in a unique experiment that will answer the question keeping literary scholars up at night... which play is the best the Bard has to offer? MacHamLear is a farcical piece of new writing from award-winning playwright Michael Davies that pits Macbeth, Hamlet and King Lear against each other. ?

Tickets for adults cost £18 while for children between the ages of five and sixteen is pegged at and college and university students fork out £11 and a family of two adults and two children pays £50.

Gates will open one hour before each performance and the shows will go ahead in all but the worst weather. Stages will be located in the Formal Gardens at Wollaton Park and on Byron’s Lawn at Newstead Abbey.

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NEW MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGH SET TO DETECT CANCER EARLY TO SAVE LIVES

- By Angela Wathoni

It is one of the most aggressive illnesses, and yet the biggest problem has always been finding it early - as it hides and can only be discovered at a later stage when the damage is already done and dusted.

Pancreatic cancer is a fatal illness that has taken many lives including numerous famous people in the UK and around the globe such as Alan Rickman, Aretha Franklin, and Patrick Swayze. Unfortunately, it is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting in only a seven percent survival rate for patients beyond five years.

However, scientists are now developing a simple breath test that could detect pancreatic cancer early enough to save thousands of lives a year.

Pancreatic Cancer UK, a dedicated charity that offers specialist support and investment in research is helping to fund the project.

The charity is backing a team of researchers led by Professor George Hanna at Imperial College London, which believes that this test would be a world-first for the disease.

Helen Whately MP, minister for social care, recently visited the laboratories in London to try the test for herself and there she met Prof Hanna and Dr Chris MacDonald, the head of research.

She said: “The earlier we catch cancer, the more likely we are to beat it. That is why breath tests like these could be such an important breakthrough - helping thousands of people get a potentially life-saving early diagnosis.”

UK’s biggest health challenges

The charity claims it is investing more than £650,000 to support the project, building on previously successful research, particularly work from the Early Diagnosis Research Alliance led by Professor Stephen Pereira at University College London.

Their research demonstrated for the first time that it is possible to combine biological markers of pancreatic cancer found in blood to create overly sensitive diagnostic tools for the condition.

Dr. Macdonald said: “Finding an early detection test would make the single biggest difference to pancreatic cancer survival in 50 years. We know that most patients will present with early symptoms two years before they are diagnosed, so there is a huge window of opportunity there.”

The National Strategy estimates this increase is in the region of 2% per annum.

Cancer is a disease caused by normal cells changing so that they grow in an uncontrolled way. There are more than 200 different types of cancer.

Cancer is one of the biggest health challenges in the UK with one in three people expected to develop some form of cancer in their lifetime.

A diagnosis of cancer can have a devastating effect on people’s lives and the disease kills more people in Nottingham than anything else.

That is 26.9% of the deaths in Nottingham.

After cancer, circulatory diseases, like hypertension, was the second deadliest illness in Nottingham.

THROAT CANCER IS BECOMING EPIDEMIC: OUR SEX LIVES COULD BE BEHIND IT

- By Professor Hisham Mehanna

Over the past two decades, there has been a rapid increase in throat cancer in the west, to the extent that it has been branded as an epidemic. However, an increase in number of people suffering throat cancer is connected to modern sexual practices.

This has been due to a large rise in a specific type of throat cancer called oropharyngeal cancer, the area of the tonsils and back of the throat.

cause the host cells to become cancerous.

The oropharynx is middle section of the throat (pharynx) and the HPV vaccination of young girls has been implemented in many countries to prevent cervical cancer.

There is also some evidence to suggest that boys are also protected by herd immunity in countries where there is high vaccine coverage in girls of over 85 percent. Taken together, this may hopefully lead in a few decades to the reduction of oropharyngeal cancer - that is well and good from a public health point of view, but only if coverage among girls is highover 85 percent, and only if one remains within the covered “herd.”

The main cause of this kind of cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), which are also the main cause of cancer of the cervix. Oropharyngeal cancer has now become more common than cervical cancer in the US and the UK.

HPV is sexually transmitted. For oropharyngeal cancer, the main risk factor is the number of lifetime sexual partners, especially oral sex. Those with six or more lifetime oral-sex partners are 8.5 times more likely to develop oropharyngeal cancer than those who do not practice oral sex.

Behavioural trends studies show that oral sex is very prevalent in some countries and in a study conducted in almost 1,000 people having tonsillectomy for non-cancer reasons in the UK, 80 percent of adults reported practicing oral sex at some point in their lives.

However, a small number of people are not able to get rid of the infection, maybe due to a defect in a particular aspect of their immune system.

No protection guarantees

In those patients, the virus is able to replicate continuously, and over time integrates at random positions into the host’s DNA, some of which can

It does not, however, guarantee protection at an individual level - and especially in this age of international travel - if, for example, someone has sex with someone from a country with low coverage. It certainly does not afford protection in countries where vaccine coverage of girls is low, for example, the US, where only 54. 3 percent of adolescents aged 13 to 15 years had received two or three HPV vaccination doses in 2020.

Boys should have the HPV vaccine, too This has led several countries, including the UK, Australia, and the US, to extend their national recommendations for HPV vaccination to include young boys - called a gender-neutral vaccination policy.

But having a universal vaccination policy does not guarantee coverage as there is a significant proportion of some populations who are opposed to HPV vaccination due to concerns about safety or less commonly, due to concerns about encouraging promiscuity.

Paradoxically, there is some evidence from population studies that, possibly in an effort to abstain from penetrative intercourse, young adults may practice oral sex instead.

Secondly, there has been an increasing trend in general vaccine hesitancy, or “anti-vax” attitudes, in many countries, which may also contribute to a reduction in vaccine uptake.

As always, when dealing with populations and behaviour, nothing is simple or straightforward.

Edited and abridged by Peter Makossah

BREAKING THE SILENCE TO ELIMINATE FGM

- By Angelo Moletta

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) aligns with a cultural practice that has affected millions of girls and women around the world and the only way to halt it is to break the shackles of silence in which it is shrouded in.

Despite the global efforts to eradicate this harmful tradition, FGM continues to persist in many communities, perpetuating gender inequality, violating human rights, and causing long-term physical and psychological consequences.

Mojatu stands at the forefront of the battle against FGM, working tirelessly to raise awareness, provide support, and foster change.

Saida Barbar, Mojatu Foundation FGM Project manager says: “To end FGM, we must join forces in starting conversations around the vile practice. People do not want to talk about it and it is this silence that is making the vice of female circumcision to linger on.

“It is time we open up and discuss this issue. Everybody must be involved. FGM can only end completely in societies that practice it if everyone is involved; from traditional leaders to community leaders, from parents to children and from professionals to lay people.”

FGM refers to the removal of external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is primarily practiced in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, but due to globalisation and migration, FGM has also become an issue in various Western countries.

The wrongful justification of FGM is based on cultural, social, and religious beliefs, but it is important to emphasise that it is a violation of fundamental human rights, including the right to health, physical integrity, and freedom from violence and discrimination.

Consequences of FGM

The consequences of FGM are severe and have longevity, affecting the physical, psychological, and social well-being of girls and women. Immediate complications include severe pain, bleeding, infections, and even death.

Long-term consequences encompass urinary and reproductive health problems as regards FGM,

psychological trauma, sexual dysfunction, and increased risks during childbirth.

Furthermore, FGM perpetuates gender inequality by reinforcing harmful gender stereotypes and limiting educational and economic opportunities for women.

Mojatu plays a crucial role in the fight against FGM by actively engaging with affected communities, policymakers, and organisations and for the past six years been working tirelessly with the Nottingham City Council to end FGM.

Mojatu alongside Nottingham City Council has been fighting rigorously to make Nottingham become the first city in the UK to declare zero tolerance on FGM. Through educational programs and community outreach initiatives, Mojatu raises awareness about the physical and emotional consequences of FGM. Debunking misconceptions surrounding the practice and promotes dialogue, encourages open conversations within communities and largely empowers individuals to abandon this injurious and harmful tradition.

Says Barbar: “One of the key objectives at Mojatu is to provide support and empowerment to survivors of FGM and by creating safe spaces and offering counselling services, they help survivors heal from their traumatic experiences and rebuild their lives.

Mojatu Foundation director of operations, explains: “The fight against Female Genital Mutilation is far from over, but if we come together and fight together by breaking the chains of silence then we will win this battle and the war.

“We must create a future where no girl or woman has to endure the physical and psychological pain of FGM,” says director of operations.

MENTAL HEALTH AND STIGMATISATION

- By Angelo Moletta

Through recognizing the importance of this issue, here at Mojatu, we strive to support positive mental health initiatives.

Through comprehensive programs and a community driven approach we aim to offer light for those in times of darkness. For far too long, mental health has been a topic swept under the rug, viewed as something shameful or a sign of weakness.

Those struggling with mental health issues often faced discrimination, exclusion, and ridicule. The fear of being labelled as unstable; prevented many individuals from seeking the help they needed. This stigma perpetuated a cycle of silence and suffering, leaving countless people feeling isolated and misunderstood.

One of the primary drivers of change has been the increasing visibility of mental health in popular culture. Movies, television shows, and documentaries have shed light on various mental health conditions, offering new views that challenge stereotypes and misconceptions.

These depictions help humanize individuals with mental health struggles, fostering empathy and understanding among viewers - by presenting relatable characters who confront and overcome their challenges - these stories encourage open dialogue and promote the idea that seeking help is a sign of strength rather than weakness.

On a smaller scale, here at Mojatu, through a variety of campaigns, workshops, and events, we strive to create a safe environment where people can discuss their struggles openly and seek support. Frequent events and activities are held and blog posts host discussions, to promote awareness around mental health. Through the provision of platforms for individuals to share their experiences we can empower those individuals and foster a sense of solidarity within the community.

The importance of accessible mental health services must be recognised so that our country can ensure that enough is provided for individuals, and ultimately that waiting lists aren’t preventing those in need from seeking help promptly.

We offer 1-2-1 drop-in sessions alongside emotional support that can be accessed both online and in-person. Support groups are also hosted at our premises to encourage and allow individuals to connect with others facing similar challenges. This provides a sense of belonging and is a step towards destigmatizing the conversation around mental health.

Regardless of genders, races, ethnicities, and religions the stigma surrounding mental health must be broken down.

Here at Mojatu it is a priority for us to offer an abundance of help to ensure that our local community know they don’t have to suffer alone.

BUILDING RESILIENT COMMUNITIES AND TACKLING YOUTH VIOLENCE

- By Hemakshi Soni

In response to the escalating rates of gang violence and knife crimes among the younger population, Nottingham City Council has taken proactive measures by introducing a program known as the ‘Difficult Conversation.’

One notable aspect of this program is the implementation of “field conversations,” which encourages individuals to come together and engage in discussions on local matters during community events. By creating opportunities for dialogue and exchange, the initiative seeks to address deep-rooted attitudes and perceptions that contribute to the prevalence of such crimes.

Through the successful execution of these initiatives, it is anticipated that there will be a gradual reduction in hate crimes throughout the city, fostering a more resilient and united community.

Working in close collaboration with this program, Mojatu plays a vital role in providing a safe and inclusive space for open and meaningful conversations focused on compassionate communication, behaviour change, and fostering community cohesion.

By offering a platform for dialogue, Mojatu aims to facilitate constructive discussions and empower young individuals to confidently voice their concerns, ultimately contributing to the broader efforts in tackling these issues and fostering positive social change. In recent times, growing concerns have emerged surrounding the continuous exposure of youth to violent content in the media.

The relentless glamourisation of violence, driven by profit and the pursuit of increased viewership, has sparked concern over the desensitization of young individuals to acts of violence and crime.

The exaggeration of negative news in the media leads to violence becoming normalized and people

becoming more tolerant and accepting of violence in real life as news stories of gang violence no longer seem to have such an emotional impact on the youth. An additional concern lies in the perpetuation of stereotypes and negative biases within media narratives, specifically of black people’s involvement in crime and violence, this biased portrayal contributes to the harmful marginalization of black communities. The current methods of intervention from the youth criminal justice system at preventing involvement in crime are proving to be ineffective due to a widespread distrust of law enforcement because of the disproportionate rates of police targeting minority groups.

One approach that was discussed was mentors and ex-convicts who have experienced similar circumstances offering valuable insights and sharing personal stories with students to establish a reliable connection, making it more likely for young people to seek help and support to steer them away from criminal behaviour.

Furthermore, there is an urgent need to equip young people with essential skills to ensure their own safety and navigate potentially dangerous situations through de-escalation.

Alongside the pressures to conform and be accepted among peers, students also face challenges perpetuated by the education system itself. Insufficient training and guidance for teachers prevent them from identifying early signs of violent behaviour and addressing the underlying issues that students may be facing.

Consequently, students who show signs of involvement in crime or violent behaviour are often stigmatized as “helpless troublemakers,” resulting in their potential being overlooked and discarded and creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING SUPPORT

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How we can help you

How we can help you

Our work tackles discrimination and racial inequalities within ethnic minority.

Our work tackles discrimination and racial inequalities within ethnic minority.

We provide self-management skills to help reduce anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder

We provide self-management skills to help reduce anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder

About us

About us

Mojatu Foundation is a charitable Incorporated

Mojatu Foundation is a charitable Incorporated

Organisation that works to empower and support ethnic minority communities across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Berkshire at risk from ongoing prejudice and whose needs are often overlooked.

Organisation that works to empower and support ethnic minority communities across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Berkshire at risk from ongoing prejudice and whose needs are often overlooked.

1-2-1 wellbeing drop-in session and community wellbeing activities.

1-2-1 wellbeing drop-in session and community wellbeing activities.

Physical and mental health awareness.

Physical and mental health awareness.

We provide confidential and comprehensive consultationliasion service for individuals

We provide confidential and comprehensive consultationliasion service for individuals who require further support on mental health, emotional and psychological needs.

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DIABETES IN CHILDREN LABELLED ‘HEALTH TIMEBOMB’ IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

- By Saida Barbar

Diabetes in children has been described as a “health time bomb” during a meeting about tackling the problem in Nottinghamshire.

Diabetes is a disorder that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high.

Type 1 diabetes is treatable, but not currently preventable, whereas Type 2 can be preventable.

County health leaders from the county gave a briefing on the situation to Nottinghamshire Council’s health scrutiny committee.

Tabitha Randell, a consultant in paediatric diabetes, said that during the coronavirus pandemic, the number of children in Year 6 who were overweight in the county went from 20 per cent to 25 per cent.

NHS has a focus on the prevention of diabetes including encouraging the uptake of lifestyle services and low-calorie diets.

Ms Randell said: “In Nottinghamshire, we’ve one of the biggest children’s diabetes centres in the country. We’ve seen a big increase in the number of young people with a diagnosis since Covid.”

“We have seen a trebling in the number of children being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes since Covid and it is entirely weight-related, so an entirely preventable and reversible condition. If you develop Type 2 in young adulthood, it is a much more aggressive disease.”

The complications of diabetes such as eye damage, kidney damage and heart attacks, are far more likely if you have Type 2 - We need to do something to stop the rising tide of obesity we are seeing.

This is a massive health timebomb and we need to do something as a system to help support these families. We can’t prevent type 1, but type 2 is preventable and that’s what’s got me really worried at the moment.

Councillor John Wilmott said: “We have a serious problem on our hands with obesity rising. People seem to be doing less physical activity. We’ve got to get people to change their lifestyles otherwise the rise in diabetes will carry on.

Councillors also discussed recruitment and retention problems within the field.

She described one patient, a 10-year-old girl with Type 2 diabetes, who gained nine stones in 18 months during the pandemic.

In Nottinghamshire, there are currently 69,065 people aged 15 and over with Type 2 diabetes and a further 6,285 people with Type 1, with a higher prevalence in Bassetlaw.

Treating diabetes costs 10 per cent of the NHS budget, 80 per cent of which is spent on treating preventable complications. For this reason, the

Rahul Mohan, a GP with a specialist interest in diabetes, said diabetes specialist nurses are “like gold dust” and can take between 18 months and two years to train. He said many of the people in these roles currently are looking to retire.

Ms Randell said it is a national issue and added: “If our current cohort retires, at the moment we haven’t got a queue of people coming through.”

The NHS is delivering a new programme which provides a low-calorie diet treatment for people who are overweight and living with Type 2 diabetes.

This involves people using soups, shakes and bars to consume between 600 and 900 calories a day.

NAVIGATING WORKPLACE DIFFERENCES

- By Angelo Moletta

It is critical to recognise and address the persistent workplace discrepancies between men and women as we progress towards an equitable society.

Gender gaps still exist in a variety of professional settings despite tremendous advances in recent decades.

One of the most visible manifestations of workplace differences is the gender wage gap. Despite legislation and increased awareness, women continue to earn less than their male counterparts for similar roles.

This disparity not only affects women’s financial security but also perpetuates systemic inequality. It is essential that efforts to promote pay transparency, encourage fair compensation practices, and eliminate gender-based wage discrimination are supported.

Leadership representation is another factor that can present discrepancies in the workplace. In executive and senior management positions throughout industries, women are still underrepresented. Innovation is hindered, perspectives are constrained, and gender stereotypes are reinforced by the lack of diverse leadership. Organisations must put proactive measures in place, such as mentoring programmes, networking opportunities, and fair

promotion procedures, to open doors for women to hold leadership positions.

For many women, finding the right balance between work and family obligations is a huge problem. Women frequently bear a disproportionate share of the responsibility for caring and domestic responsibilities due to traditional gender roles and societal expectations.

Women might face obstacles to career growth and struggle to strike a good work-life and to support women in achieving their personal and professional goals, it is crucial for employers to implement familyfriendly policies such as flexible working hours. Women often encounter unconscious biases, microaggressions, and stereotyping that hinder their professional growth.

Mojatu offers a number of training programmes for women in order to help them grow and flourish and while progress has been made in reducing the gender gaps between in the workplace, there is still more work to be done.

It is imperative that we build workplaces that value diversity, provide equitable opportunities, and enable women to realise their full potential by working together.

Let’s work towards a time where gender is no longer a barrier to success, and everyone can prosper.

HOW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS EMPOWERING AFRICAN YOUTHS

- By Willy Kamau

Artificial intelligence (AI) makes it possible for machines to learn from experience, adjust to new inputs and perform human-like tasks.

Through this mind-blowing technology, AI today – computers play chess and cars drive themselves rely heavily on deep learning and natural language processing – using these technologies, computers can be trained to accomplish specific tasks by processing large amounts of data and recognising patterns in the data.

In the heart of Africa, a transformative wave is sweeping across the continent, unlocking new possibilities for its youth – the forefront of this wave is the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), a technological force that holds immense promise for the future.

According to recent statistics, Kenya has witnessed a rapid growth in internet connectivity and smartphone adoption, with over 85% of its population having access to the internet. This connectivity has laid a strong foundation for the integration of AI into various sectors, providing unprecedented opportunities for the youth to harness the power of this technology. As the world witnesses the rise of AI, Kenyan youth are embracing its potential, positioning themselves as trailblazers of innovation and change.

AI is not just a technological marvel; it is a game-changer for young individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, such as the Mathare and Kibra communities. These communities, often plagued by limited access to quality education and economic opportunities, are finding hope in the potential of AI.

Empowering communities

With AI-powered tools and platforms, the youth can transcend barriers, acquiring new skills, and exploring novel avenues for personal and professional growth. Enter the Youth Future Lab (YFLab), an organization committed to empowering Kenya’s youth with cutting-edge technologies. The YFLab team recognizes the transformative impact of AI and is actively encouraging the youth to venture into this domain.

Sarah Wanjiku, a talented young coder from Mathare, honed her programming skills through AI-focused courses and mentorship provided by YFLab.

With her newfound expertise, she developed an AIpowered chatbot that helps farmers in rural areas access crucial information on weather patterns, crop management, and market prices.

Sarah’s innovation not only earned her recognition but also demonstrated the potential of AI to address real-world challenges and empower communities.

In Kibra, Francis Otieno, a young entrepreneur, tapped into the power of AI to revolutionize healthcare access - armed with AI-driven algorithms, Francis developed a mobile application that uses image recognition technology to diagnose common ailments and provide relevant treatment suggestions.

This groundbreaking innovation has brought affordable and reliable healthcare to underserved communities, reducing the burden on overburdened healthcare systems and empowering individuals to take charge of their well-being.

MY TURN: RESETTING THE MINDSET

- By Peter Makossah

Creativity, Albert Einstein once said, is intelligence having fun. It can’t be truer, than this.

As people, we need to be creative in everything we do, especially on how we think - thinking is everything. And it doesn’t cost a dime. It is free to think.

Let us use it, wisely.

Winston Churchill, a prolific painter and statesman, used it. Henry Ford, a trained violinist and founder of Ford Motor Company, did too.

Reasonable minded people love using it - it is called leading in the grey - the ability to simultaneously use the right and left brain - this ability means accessing the right brain to see the bigger picture - while using the left-brain brain to think and create detailed planning.

People with this ability can apply the principles of whole-brain integration during times of great challenges, need or uncertainty.

Collaborate like an orchestra

According to Harald S. Harung, co-author World Class Brain, published in 2019, “Whole-brain integration is like the collaboration that must occur among musicians of an orchestra working together.”

Now, it is no secret that people who think better and creatively likely yield positive results but even better, it is highly likely that when people coordinate and collaborate like an orchestra, together they can become a superpower and achieve high goals. We thus need to use our brain and reset our mindset if we are to achieve anything tangible in our communities, neighbourhoods, cities, countries and the wider world.

Society needs to finally press the red button and reset the mind set - resetting the mindset and the need to overcome both the conscious and unconscious bias, which is extinguishing the hopes and dreams of our families across the world is vital.

Resetting the mindset

Resetting the mindset for me is the thinking and thoughts come before the word and action - we all think before we act in order to give context to the situation - it is not to rush to judgement or assume. This in turn gives confidence to complete competent activities. Until we, as a society reset our mindset and deal with the symptoms of the unconscious

bias which are perceptions built up by society, myths, illusions, ignorance, insecurity and a refusal to address the responsibility of accountability of actions, the same system will prevail.

Missing out on life?

Many of us are aware that the worries, doubts and reservations in our own mind are more often than not the greatest obstacles to the fulfilling life we so much desire. It seems that our thoughts are not truly free - with many of them stemming from an emotional and subconscious level that can fix our attention and pull us down.

What if you could free up your thoughts and shed their weight and pain from your own mind?

As a society, we need to encourage individuality and allow each and every one to be free regardless of skin colour, race, ethnicity - every individual seeks environments that give them the freedom to be themselves.

Ultimately, I beseech the authorities to create space for the expression of individually creative ideas within the communities to ensure that the environment is conducive for all and sundry.

Let us use our brains, the whole of it, both left and right sides, to reset our mindset so that we can do things correctly.

We must plant seeds of love, not hatred amongst ourselves if we want our children to be secure and safe in the future.

Female Genital Mutilation FGM – FACTS , HELP & ACTIONS Facts

FGM is any procedure that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

FGM has been illegal in England and Wales since 1985. FGM is a form of child abuse and violence against women and girls.

FGM is Non-Islamic, against the teachings of Islam and brings Islam into disrepute. FGM is putting the health of our daughters, sisters, mothers and wives at great risk.

Over 200 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM. • 103,000 women aged15 to 49 are living with consequences of FGM in England & Wales.

In the UK, an estimated 20,000 girls under the age of 15 are at risk of FGM each year. • 1,230 cases have been reported in the Midlands from April 2020 to March 2021

Help

Are you concerned a girl or woman is at risk or need of support?

Join the Community FGM Steering Group: Contact us

• For emotional & peer support for survivors in Nottingham, join the FGM Survivor’s club: Contact us

• Refer survivors needing medical attention to FGM medical specialist in Nottingham: Contact us

•

• Drop in sessions at Mojatu Office Unit 7, Howitt Bldg, Lenton Blvd, Lenton, Nott`s NG7 2BY

• Call 0808 028 350 for a 24/7 anonymous FGM helpline or email: fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk

• Call Nottingham City Council Children and Families Direct: 0115 876 4800

• Ring the police on 999 if FGM has just happened or about to happen

Actions

Ac tivities include:

To help end FGM and support survivors, join one of our campaigns or projects

• FGM Survivors Club

• FGM Steering Group

• FGM Global Faith Ambassador

• FGM Global Young Ambassador

• Request for training

• Volunteer with us

• ‘Adopt a tree’ project

• Donate to support our work

Feeding the animals

• Fundraise to support our work

• Women Skillshare Group

For more information, contac t Mojatu Foundation

Phone: 01158457009 Mobile: 07759 927671

Email: info@mojatufoundation.org | Website: www.mojatufoundation.o