ACCOL Winter Magazine by ACCOL Coventry

ACCOL YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

RRP £1 | ISSUE 4/15

COMMUNITY ACTION

ROXI ALBESCU

DO YOU HAVE IT IN YOU?

BUDGET

BALANCE

CHRISTMAS SURPRISES AND BUDGET CUTS

DO YOU HAVE THAT IN XXL?

CHILDHOOD OBESITY

ON THE RISE

Winter Care

GET YOURSELF READY FOR WINTER

EDITORIAL DREAM BIGGER

What we have learned over these couple of month is that if you want something done, do it yourself! Hard work and a supportive community are all you need to make a difference. Embrace the cold, plan ahead and take the New Year by storm (a blizard storm that is). We want to wish all of our readers a Happy and Prosperours Year, full of joy and love.

Happy New Year!

We also have our popular features, with interviews from local and international celebrities and insights on future events. We would like to thank you for your support and positive feedback. For details on renting the ACCOL Hall or to advertise with us, get in touch at: Email: sherril.accol@gmail.com Phone: 07436 531760 / 07825 527122 19 - 23 Freehold Street Coventry CV1 5BG

“ACCOL is a community organisation aimed at improving the life, health and wellbeing of people of African Caribbean heritage and other ethnic minorities living in Coventry and surrounding areas. “ Enjoy reading and remember to contact us We aim to: • Improve facilities and support for young people and their families • Improve the equality in service provision for our community • Develop the provision of financial resources to support the development of businesses • Improve provision for the elderly • Develop partnerships between our businesses and community organisations to increase our political and economic strength.

with your comments.

Advertisers: City College Fosterplus Hope in Unity Midland Shipping Publisher: Big Red News Editors: Sherril Donaldson Roxi Albescu

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. ACCOL cannot be held responsible for any action or inaction of any advertiser or promoter listed in this booklet; furthermore listings are not to be considered endorsements. 2

THIS EDITION Issue 4/2015

What’s New in the Area?

Health & Wellbeing

Will your budget balance? Community Action Annual ACCOL Review

Winter Care Tips Stinging Nettles Childhood Obesity

Events & Reviews

Community Star interview

Young Vibes

Arts & Media

28 30

Victoria Falls & Climate Change Quiz

I CAN BE ANYTHING!

Missing since 1918 “10 Years From Home” Review

Prof. Geoff Palmer Traineeships Opportunities Things Mama Used to Say Skin Deep: Tattoos

Next Edition ...

WHAT’S NEW

WILL YOUR BUDGET ? E C N A BAL By David Richardson PhD

t is surely Christmas time or at and countless other initiatives through some least the Chancellor of the hypothetical windfall of £ 27 billion which Exchequer has decided to play will not come into being until the end of this the role of Santa Claus by parliament in 2020. For this, we as the public pretending to bestow goodies in have to bear the brunt of the changes that are his Autumn statement, however, as is always in the pipeline. the case the devil is in the detail, and what What does the Chancellor’s plans mean seems on the surface of it as a Government at local level?. Perhaps the most immediate spreading its largesse on the public, in reality, is that the Government has said that Local has a number of shocks for the public at large Authorities are to implement a 2% increase in in the next 5 years of this parliament. the Community Charge at local level and The Chancellor this money is meant was forced to abandon to go toward care for his much heralded the elderly – where the plan to cut tax credits, local authority are instead he has very more and more having much delayed the pain to prop up private of finding monies to firms supplying care close the gap in his within the community. invention of a deficit This in effect means in Government that someone in Band finances. The much A who now pays talked about deficit £989.33 will have a which has had such cash increase of “Yet our Government has a devastating impact £217.65 per year. This been able to find £12 billion will have an on members of the to update Trident, a defence impact on people who community, with increase in people are already in debt to system that we can never dependant on food their local council for use.” banks, increase in the community charge, homelessness in the locality, people having and already more and more councils are to try and survive on zero hours contracts in sending the bailiffs to recover outstanding work which in many cases has the impact of debt. Local Authorities are to have greater having employment however not knowing fundraising powers in that they can now keep from week to week how much one will earn. 100% of business rates, but they will lose Yet our Government has been able to £18 billion across England and Wales of find £12 billion to update Trident, a defence Central Government grant. system that we can never use, is able to The likely impact of this is to hit the poorest employ 1200 spies to deal with the threat of councils particularly hard with them having terrorism fewer businesses and less council tax payers. 4

WHAT’S NEW

The effect no doubt will be that Councils will be forced to implement higher business rates with this being passed on to the public in increased cost. Many have warned that services as road repair, maintenance of parks, closing of libraries, leisure centres and museums, turning off of street lights are all a possibility if they are to plug the gap in loss of government support.

“Services as road repair, maintenance of parks, closing of libraries, leisure centres and museums, turning off of street lights are all a possibility.” Although the Chancellor has had to climb down from his plan to cut tax credits his plan to cut Universal Credit as of April 2016 will in effect mean that by 2020 more than 3 million people are set to lose an average of £1000 per year or some £20.00 per week in their entitlement. A low-earning couple with 3 children, where one parent works full time and the other part time will lose some £ 3,600 per year or £ 6.00 per week approximately.

For a single person with no children who works full time but is on the minimum wage that person will gain £ 1200 per year. One of the Chancellor’s boasts is that of the £ 3.35 or so increase in the State Pension, to that of £ 119.30. The reality of this however is that the Chancellor would have had to implement a £2.75 increase in any case, hence the increase is merely that of 60 pence per week. The intent is that the State Pension will rise to £155 across the board in 2016, but this excludes new pensioners who may not have had 35 years or more of National Insurance contributions. Particularly hard hit will be young people with likely cuts in funds for young people in further education, and the shift to the employer for costs in apprenticeships. Already there are concerns about the type and job value of some apprenticeship programmes on offer with a decrease in Government support these will over time be less available.

As I write this I’ m reminded that as a boy I was told to never look a gift horse in the mouth!

WHAT’S NEW

HopeISin Unity ON THE MOVE… After 18 months of residing at 689 Ribbon Court, Foleshill Road, Coventry alas it’s time to spread our wings and leave the nest we’ve called home. The pilot has proved to be a success as the clientele of Hope in Unity has been steadily growing. The community asked for a project they could call their own and have shown their appreciation by supporting Hope in Unity’s growth for the last 18 months making Hope in Unity the project it is today. Hope in Unity wishes to extend their gratitude and heartfelt thanks to all the staff and residents for allowing us to share your home. The residents and Accord Housing have been very gracious hosts for the last 18 months and Hope in Unity wants to say thank you for believing in what Hope in Unity wanted to do and providing the space to enable the project to grow and flourish. Hope in Unity will be moving to St Pauls Community Hall next door to St Pauls Church, Foleshill Road, Coventry CV6 5AJ in January 2016.

Hope in Unity will officially open its doors to the public on Wednesday 6th January 2016 and every Wednesday thereafter operating from 10.00am – 3.00pm. Hope in Unity will continue providing a 2 course delicious, nutritional well balanced Caribbean lunch all for a small fee. There will be activities to try, fun to be had and new friendships to be made.

Hope in Unity will be having a re-launch on Wednesday 20th January 2016 inviting the public to come and see what they are all about. So watch this space!

WHAT’S NEW

believe in the basic goodness of people, and in the need for the world to reflect that goodness, and focus more on it. Connecting to other people can lead to incredible change, for you, me and the entire world. I have been involved in the running of this non-profit organisation for the last year and I have found it requires tremendous effort and responsibility for raising money. Staying up beat has not been easy. That is why we are thankful for each and every person that ever walked through our doors. “How can I get involved?” How can I help?” “What is my role in the society?” “Don’t you dislike the way the streets are covered in rubbish, or are you bothered by the rude behaviour you encounter while going to the shop?” These are simple questions that can start a series of actions and develop into you getting involved in developing and changing your community. Start with the children, who will turn out to be either great confident adults, who make amazing contributions to the community, or depressed individuals who work a 12 hour shift for the minimum income, and who don’t care what happens outside their house. When we decide to ignore the signs of a malfunctioning society, we take another brick from an already fragile construction. Our first world is our neighborhood. Families come in all shapes, sizes and colours. It is easier to overcome obstacles together. Through our “10 Years from Home” exhibition we were hoping to draw the attention to the problems our young people are facing, but also on how their future career choices have a massive impact on the entire community. We put a huge amount of effort and hope into this project, as we know how important it is for everyone to understand the situation and contribute to it. However, those who should have been most interested were those absent from our visitors list.

COMMUNITY

ACTION Do you have it in you?

So, what made our exhibition a success even though it did not reach our target audience? It was the people. The people who spared an hour to drop in and say hello, have a look at the photos and enjoy a cup of tea with us. The people who were shocked at how low the youngsters’ dreams are, and who volunteered to help out. They were the ones who wanted to make a difference, and truly cared about the fate of the community. We would also like to thank the people who shared their childhood dreams with us, and who admitted at not having the chance to always follow up on them, and how that changed the course of their lives. Their nerve wrecking stories, full of emotions, were lying on the floor among the black balloons. Here is what we’ve learned from all this: • The big players will not always get involved with small community events, unless it benefits them directly. • It is better to start off from within the community, with the people - for the people. As we tend to hide ourselves even more, and as isolation begins to replace community, the “No man is an island” concept is becoming very much our reality. WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT AND GET INVOLVED! By Roxi Albescu 7

WHAT’S NEW

Annual ACCOL Review To those that have supported our many activities or just popped in for a coffee and an encouraging chat, THANK YOU.

his year has been an incredible year for ACCOL. We have achieved and done so much it could be argued that we have been “punching well above our weight”. Our merry band of three, and a few loyal volunteers, have managed to successfully produce and distribute our quarterly magazine. Securing the advertisers to finance the print has been a major achievement considering the competition we face from the many other advertising mediums. Also, for the first time we have introduced a nominal charge for the magazine and we have seen exponential income growth from that stream. Our plans to expand the production and content of the magazine are well on track to achieve our goal.

Break dancing has also been a regular feature on the activities delivered at the centre. ACCOL has partnered with the Kombat Breakers to deliver the sessions. We have delivered sixty sessions and there has been an average of fifteen young people attending. Their development has been nothing but impressive and, as you can imagine, they are always keen to showcase their skills at the Young Vibes Parties.

Receiving feedback like,

“I look forward to receiving each copy...”

is enough to keep us highly motivated to produce a quality product.

We have also celebrated the first year anniversary for the ACCOL Young Vibes project. So far, the project has been managed and shaped by a Steering Group consisting of twelve young people. Those young people, with varying levels of skills and abilities, have arranged various fund raising events and assisted other organisations and projects to deliver their services. They have also gained invaluable skills in project planning, team working, budgeting and dealing with people from various community groups. 8

The Summer was a particularly busy time for us. We were happy to answer the calls or help from the ‘Family Funday Team’. We had a brilliant time helping with the planning, administration, marketing delivery and evaluation of the action packed days at the Xcel Sports and Leisure Centre. We were flattered to hear that our contribution had ‘made the world of difference’ to the success for the events. We are looking forward to and already helping with the planning for next year’s activities.

WHAT’S NEW

While the sun was shining and the Summer Holidays kicked in we partnered with the National Citizen Services for The Challenge. We acted as host, and so much more, for four groups, over fifty young people, as they worked to raise money for local groups and painted our building. It was an exhausting period but the experience gained by the participants made it a very worthwhile exercise. Role on 2016 for the next Challenge! As challenges seemed to be our theme we took on a project, in partnership with a training provider, to run a Warehousing Traineeship. Our centre was an ideal venue for the project as there was space for teaching, IT equipment for computer applications and of course the facilities to play table tennis and table football when boredom started to loom. The project started out well and, even though there was some drop out, we saw more than half the cohort move into their placements with the promise of an Apprenticeship. We are looking forward to the next intake. ACCOL has worked hard to work in partnership with various groups in the community and we have relationships with multi faith groups and non faith groups using the building and participating in the various activities arranged at the centre. Our ‘Big Boot’ market has been a popular monthly event and it has also been a welcome source of income.

Next year will see us continue to provide organisations and individuals with the opportunity to buy and sell goods for mutual benefit. It has been a joy, if not hard work and long hours, to see hundreds of people pass through our doors seven days a week and we fully anticipate increased activities in 2016. But before we leave this year we need to pay a special tribute to those that have supported us, with no financial gains and very little or no personal benefit. Without the contribution from those individuals we would not have been able to achieve a fraction of our success this year. So a massive ‘THANK YOU’ and salute to: • Khalif Mohammed – for his ‘love thy neighbour’ attitude. He has made a seven day a week operation possible. • Katrina Burchell aka DJ Kat – for giving her time to develop the Young Vibes Project and giving her time towards anything and everything else that has been asked of her. • Levi Scarlett – for his time to manage the many Young Vibes parties ensure that we kept the young people safe and secure whilst enjoying themselves. We would also like to thank him for the many donations he has made to the ACCOL stall at the ‘Big Boot’ markets. • DJ Mikey Dee – for NEVER saying ‘No’ to any requests for help, be that, security issues, playing music, providing equipment, mentoring.. the list goes on. • Paul Donaldson – for his help with the magazine and the Young Vibes project • Phil Evans aka Noizee B – another priceless gem. He has made a huge contribution to the Young Vibes project. • Mrs Bailey aka Aunt Deans – who has contributed her delicious cakes for every event and occasion at no cost! • Dr David Richardson – for his regular political and economic contributions to our magazine. 9

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Winter Care TIPS

WINTER IS HERE and our bodies and souls can feel it. Our 6 tips to keep you going this cold season. Put on your cosy shoes and let me tell you a Christmas story... 1. Dry Skin To cure dry skin all over the body, go big or go home. Mix a few drops of olive or grape seed oil in bathwater and hop in, or apply a thin layer of oil to the body after showering (and maybe wear some old PJs to bed). As weird as it may sound, adding a few cups of whole milk to bathwater can moisturise skin. The proteins, fats, and vitamins in moo-juice can help soothe rough skin. If feeling lactose-averse, oatmeal baths can make red, irritated skin feel better. Immediately after an oil/milk/oatmeal bath, apply plenty of thick cream (or even Vaseline for seriously damaged skin). 2. Rough and Cracked Feet Nothing screams “dead of winter” like gnarly, callused feet with cracked heels. Save some cash and skip the pedicure by exfoliating and moisturising at home. Scrub calluses with a pumice stone in the shower once per week to scrub off rough, dead skin. Moisturise feet, especially the heels, every day with thick cream—lotions containing lactic acid are especially effective—and wear cotton socks to bed. It may look nerdy, but sporting socks while snoozing can help creams absorb.

3. Irritated, Dry Eyes Wind and dry air are not a good combination for sensitive eyes. Sporting sunglasses on a sub-zero day might look weird, but the lenses can protect eyes from glare and wind. Keep a bottle of non-medicated saline tears or eye drops on hand and use it to refresh eye moisture when needed. Prevent irritation by keeping those well-moisturised hands away from the eye area.

4. Itchy Dry Scalp A dry, flaky scalp is uncomfortable and just a wee bit embarrassing, too. Step one in preventing dandruff is to take cooler, quicker showers to reduce the scalp’s exposure to drying hot water. Before hopping in the shower, massage the scalp with Vitamin E, olive, or coconut oil. These oils replenish natural scalp oils and can moisturize dry hair, too. Tea Tree oil is also a popular treatment for fungal and bacterial infections like dandruff or athlete’s foot. Wash the hair and scalp with Tea Tree oil daily to cure a dry, itchy head naturally. Sometimes, the issue can be caused by product build-up— not winter weather. If you think this may be the case, rinse the hair with apple cider vinegar to clear out the gunk and then wash normally with shampoo. 5. Chapped Lips Keeping a tube of lip balm in an easily accessible pocket is a good first step, but winter winds can take chapped lips to a whole new level. If lips are flaky, take a clean toothbrush and very gently exfoliate the skin to remove excess skin. For seriously dry lips, apply honey or Vaseline to the lips for 15 minutes and then remove with a cotton swab dipped in hot water. 6. Stay focused on the warmer days of summer to come.

CHECK YOUR OPTIONS CHOOSE YOUR COURSE

CHANGE YOUR FUTURE

SCIENCE FASHION We have life-improving SECURITY courses starting throughout ENGINEERING the year. Begin wherever you ART & DESIGN need, perhaps a ESOL course to improve your basic skills. PHOTOGRAPHY Then take it as far as you SOCIAL STUDIES want, we’ll be there MOTOR VEHICLE all the way for you. SPORT & LEISURE ENGLISH & MATHS 024 7679 1100 APPRENTICESHIPS TRAVEL & TOURISM STUDENT TEACHER TRAINING SERVICES DIGITAL INDUSTRIES ...and career HAIR, BEAUTY & NAILS advice FOUNDATION STUDIES CONSTRUCTION TRADES ACCOUNTING & FINANCE BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE CHILDCARE & EARLY YEARS PERFORMING ARTS & MUSIC covcollege.ac.uk MEDIA & INTERACTIVE MEDIA 11 11 PUBLIC & UNIFORMED SERVICES

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Stinging Nettles L WEEDS FOR SURVIVAL

• • ately, more and more people have • begun to understand just how limited — in • both variety and nutritional value — our • “modern” diets hove become. This realisation • has sparked a new and widespread interest • in the culinary and therapeutic uses of herbs • . . . those plants which — although not well• known today — were, just one short generation • ago, honoured “guests” on the dinner tables • and in the medicine chests of our grandparents’ • homes. Contrary to popular opinion, the common nettle is more than a horrible, stinging • weed. It has — since ancient times — been an important source of food, fibre, and • pharmaceuticals. To give you an idea of just how powerful • this singular plant is, nettle has the potential to treat the following illnesses: • • • • • • • • • • • • • 12

Nettle stimulates the lymph system to boost immunity Nettle relieves arthritis symptoms Nettle promotes a release from uric acid from joints Helps to support the adrenal glands It helps with diabetes mellitus Strengthens the fetus in pregnant women Promotes milk production in lactating women Relieves menopausal symptoms Helps with menstrual cramps and bloating Helps break down kidney stones Reduces hypertension Helps with respiratory tract disease

•

Supports the kidneys Helps asthma sufferers Stops bleeding Reduces inflammation Reduces incident of prostate cancer Minimizes skin problems Eliminates allergic rhinitis Lessens nausea Cures the common cold Helps with osteoarthritis Alleviates diarrhea Helps with gastrointestinal disease, Irritable bowel syndrome, and constipation Reduces gingivitis and prevents plaque when used as a mouth wash. Has been shown to be helpful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease Relieves neurological disorders and sciatica Destroys intestinal worms or parasites Supports the endocrine health by helping the thyroid, spleen and pancreas

If you have a lack of iron in the body and you feel tired and useless, nettle is what you need! Nettle contains a lot of iron and successfully used for anemia. After some time of use, again, you will feel full of energy and health. In combination with other herbs, nettle can be successfully used to treat leukemia.

Fun fact: Be Nice to Nettles Week 14-25 May If you intend to consume this herb, as a supplement, consult your doctor regarding the dosage and safety.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Nutritional Information: • Stinging Nettle is rich in Vitamin A, C, D and K. • It is also rich in Vitamin B. • It is a good source of iron, potassium, manganese, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, silica, iodine, silicon, sodium, and sulfur. • It is high in proteins and amino acids. • It has low calorie and fat count. • It is a good source of chlorophyll and tannin. Nettle Leaf Benefits for Hair: Can nettle leaves help our hair too? They surely can! Here are some of the benefits of nettle leaf for hair: Treats Hair Loss Problem - Stinging nettle capsules and tea can be consumed to treat hair loss internally while a good scalp massage using nettle oil combats hair loss effectively. Helps In Hair Re-Growth - Not only does stinging nettle help in combating hair loss, it also helps in hair re-growth. Nettle leaves are rich in silica and sulphur. This helps in making hair shinier and healthier. Rinsing hair with nettle extracts and water results in re-growth of lost hair and also helps in restoring the original hair colour. Treats Dandruff - Massaging your scalp with coconut or mustard oil infused with dried nettle leaves and leaving it overnight is a very effective treatment for dandruff. Juice extracted by crushing fresh nettle leaves is also massaged on the scalp to treat dandruff. How Nettle Leaf Is Used? Stinging nettle is used in many varied ways. It is used for food, medicines, skin and hair treatments, dyes, etc. Nettle is used in preparation of nettle tea, tincture, nettle soup, nettle puree and chutneys (extracts, tonics, dried leaves and capsules). Reference: Natural Society; “A Little Zaftig”; Heal Advice

STINGING NETTLE SOUP 4 cups loosely packed stinging nettles Olive oil for the pan 2 small leeks, diced and rinsed thoroughly 2 ribs celery, diced 1 clove garlic, minced finely 4 cups chicken stock 1 small potato, peeled and diced into very small cubes salt and pepper

• • • •

•

• •

•

Bring a covered pot of water to boil. Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with ice water and place a colander in your sink. Wearing gloves, pick the leaves and tender stems from bunches of stinging nettle. Boil them for one minute. Drain them in the colander and place them in the ice water. Over medium heat, warm the same pot that you used to boil the nettles. When it is hot, drizzle in a few drops of olive oil around the pan. When the oil is hot, add the leeks and celery and a bit of salt and pepper. Saute until tender and taking on just a touch of colour, about five minutes. Add the garlic and stir for one minute. Add the chicken stock and the potatoes. Raise the heat and bring the soup to a boil. Then lower the heat and simmer the soup until the potatoes are quite tender, about ten minutes. Squeeze out the moisture from the nettles and give them a rough chop. Add them to the soup. Simmer for a few more minutes.

Enjoy!

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

DO YOU HAVE THAT IN XXL? CHILD OBESITY

www.huffingtonpost.com

report released in 2012 revealed an alarming statistic about our children, “one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese”. The report exposed that the cases of obesity, in the UK, had tripled over a twenty year period.

In that same period there has been a rise in diseases associated with being overweight. Conditions reported have included:• Diabetes • Skin problems • Tooth decay • Depression • Cancer • Bone growth problems The studies have also reported that those conditions are invariably carried through to adulthood. The problem has received major cover, in all forms of media, schools, health organisations, to mention but a few – but the situation remains a major concern. The reasons for the massive increases has largely been laid at the door of the food industry and a society that no longer trusts that children are safe to play outside but favour them staying indoors and seeking entertainment and socialising activities from their chairs or beds. There has also been less time allocated to sporting activities in schools which has allowed, those less motivated to take part in sport outside of the school environment the freedom to burn less calories on a daily basis.

Research has show that a child now spends, on average, four hours each day watching TV, playing video games and interacting on the computer. So, what can be done to address the ever growing challenge? The question has been asked by many, including celebrities like Jamie Oliver who has been a driving force in bringing awareness of the importance of looking after children’s diets. It may seem obvious to many of us, but, eating too much of the wrong types of foods, ‘comfort eating’, and issues of ingrained habits are all contributors to weight gains. Foods that are highly processed with a low nutrient content with lots of additives leaves a child always hungry and wanting more. The increased consumption of food, with ‘bad fats’, also adds to the dilemma. So, parents need to be aware of the nutritional labelling available on all packaging. The use of the ‘traffic lights’ coding, for sugars and salts, has made the understanding of the information so much easier.

PixShark.com

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Red – high, amber – medium, green – low. So, the best options would be the amber and green options. It is also worth knowing that fizzy drinks should be avoided and sometimes children will be confused between thirst and hunger. So, make sure your child drinks water regularly Another component of healthy eating is plenty of foods with high nutritional content. Food like fruits:- vegetables, whole grain products and foods with ‘good fats’ such as avocado. Regular exercise is an important key to managing a child’s weight. There is an easy equation that should be applied to eating and exercising. Calories in (food consumption) – calories out (amount of exercise) = weight gain or loss. So, it is important to ensure that the amount a child consumes matches the level of physical exercise. Kids just need to spend more time running around, riding their bikes, walking to school, swimming, walking the dog, chasing the cat or dancing rather than sitting watching the TV or playing computer games.

Parents, families, communities, society and government need to take this issue very seriously as we are racing towards a very unhealthy world. We all need to take a leaf from Michelle Obama’s book, “In the end as First Lady, this isn’t just a policy issue for me. This is a passion. This is my mission. I am determined to work with folks across this country to change the way this generation of kids think about food and nutrition”. Now, getting children to change their eating habits can be challenging but there always has to be a ‘first step’. For those who want to take that first step and get help and support you need to get in touch with Flora Samuel. She will be able to offer you the help, support NewGen Super Foods Plus all of which will help you get and keep you children healthy and happy. Contact Flora Samuel Email:- florasamuel_2@yahoo.com Website: www.newgendirect.com/flora 15

ccording to The Fostering Network, 52,050 children were living with foster families on 31 March 2015 in England alone. Each child needs a stable, loving environment, in which to grow and thrive. But with a new child coming into care every 22 minutes, the number of children needing foster homes continues to rise. The Fostering Network further estimate that a further 8,370 new foster families must be found across the UK over the next 12 months to avoid a real crisis (2015). But, despite this urgency, fostering is still the poor relation of Children’s Services. Rather surprisingly, whilst adoption often hits the headlines, only five per cent of all ‘looked after’ children actually end up being adopted. “Foster Carers play a vital role in making a real difference in children’s lives.” Fostering is a way of offering children and young people a safe, stable home while their own family is unable to look after them. Fostering can be short term or long term. It can be for a few days, weeks, months or even years. Foster Carers care for children from ages 0 – 18. Some children may return to their birth families or other family members. Others may be supported through continued fostering until they are ready to live independently or some may move onto adoption or residential care. Foster Carers look after children in their own homes and provide them with the secure and nurturing environment they need. What kind of people become Foster Carers? At Fosterplus, we need a wide range of people to meet the, very different, needs of each child and young person. People do not need to be married to become a foster family - they can also be single, divorced or cohabiting. Individuals and couples who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or trans-gender can also apply to foster. 16

YOU COULD

Consider fostering and makin By Howard

Whilst there are no upper age limits for fostering, at Fosterplus, we expect people to be mature enough to work with the complex needs that some of our children have. People should have a good support network and be in general good health. Whilst fostering can be challenging, it is also most rewarding. At Fosterplus, we are keen to recruit both new and experienced carers as we have many children in need of good homes. The sometimes negative stories surrounding foster care is putting off many people from black and multi-ethnic groups coming forward to foster a child. This is something that needs to change as we are fully aware that the majority of people who foster have positive experiences, finding that they not only enrich the children’s lives, but that the children enrich their lives too. CLAIRE & STEVEN’S STORY “We joined Fosterplus after fostering with a Local Authority for several years. When we joined, as we did with the LA, we wanted to only take young children with no behavioural issues, no complex contact arrangements and we wanted to take children who would fit with our family and have little effect on our birth children. In the process of joining Fosterplus, we received training and guidance from a great team of staff who helped us iron out our concerns and deal with our anxieties. Now, we look for children who need us as a family. Our children are also embracing being children who foster and we, as a family, enjoy working with young people.”

D FOSTER, OR

FOSTERPLUS

ng a difference to a vulnerable child Weaver, Supervising Social Worker Lorraine Pascale is a Black AfricanCaribbean ex-model, TV chef and bestselling author, there is another side to her story. Adopted at 18 months old and then fostered at eight, she believes that fostering â&#x20AC;&#x153;saved her lifeâ&#x20AC;?. (2015) Guardian News and Media Limited. To meet the needs of these children, we particularly need Black African, Black Caribbean, Mixed Heritage, Irish and Asian carers as well as White British families. We are keen to recruit more carers from the black communities, for example, to help ensure that Black children who need foster care can be placed with families that reflect their ethnicity, heritage and cultural background. The same also applies to carers from other ethnic backgrounds.

All foster children from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, wherever they are placed, need support to appreciate their cultural heritage and to face racism and discrimination. Black and minority ethnic carers are often well placed to empathise with birth parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; difficulties and help foster children have a sense of pride and achievement. They are also able to make better sense of their history if they have contact with their families and other black people. In order to provide these children with the highest standard of care, each child should be able to live with a foster family carefully chosen to meet their specific needs. Children thrive on familiarity and it is important that the move to live with a new family is as smooth as possible at this difficult time. (Ref. www.fostering.net) 17

Why Fosterplus? Established in 1996, Fosterplus has extensive experience of working with local authorities to provide a positive and stable family environment for children and young people who have had a difficult start in life. At Fosterplus we work with a wide range of carers, who are all committed to ensuring that looked after young people receive the very best support and care in a positive, safe environment where they can thrive. We’re really proud of the positive outcomes we deliver for children. This year, our Midlands and South Yorkshire region achieved “Outstanding” in achieving Outcomes for Children. From our excellent Ofsted reports to positive comments we receive from our local authority partners about the way we help turn children’s lives around, we are providing the highest levels of care.

At Fosterplus, we offer very competitive allowances to help you do the best for the child and reward you for your hard work. Our rates are very competitive and can vary from placement to placement. What to do next and further information: If you are ready to take the first step to becoming a Foster Carer with Fosterplus then you can contact our dedicated enquiries team on 0845 308050 or have a look on our website www.fosterplus.co.uk. Alternatively, fill in our quick online form and we will happily give you a call. 18

EVENTS AND REVIEWS

...THE SEARCH BEGINS More than twelve months ago a seed of curiosity was sewn, in my mind, to find out more about veterans from the Caribbean. Since then there has been many conversations and partnerships have been formed between, CEMAP, Hope In Unity and ACCOL and we have started a journey to find out as much as we can about the topic and to share that journey with all those who want to travel with us. We thought there would be interest, but, the level of interest has been quite overwhelming. Not only that we have established there are many more people, on a local, national and international, with the same curiosity. Great news So far we have hosted two sessions to discuss the subject and to gather stories from those with direct knowledge and experiences of World War l & ll. Both sessions have been well attended and there is a hunger to learn

more and to get more involved in sharing the history of our contribution in the wars. These are some of the evaluation comments: “very engaging and well chaired...” “very enjoyable to talk to people about their thoughts/memories/experiences, great to learn more about the project. Exciting possibilities for the future” “heartiest congratulations on this highly successful project..” There is another event scheduled for 24th February 16 and a series of other activities throughout 2016. We want to give all those who want to learn more on the subject the opportunity to join us on this journey of discovery. For those who are interested you are more than welcome to contact us for more information: DATE: -24TH NOVEMBER Sherril Donaldson, ACCOL 07436 531760 or email: sherril.accol@gmail.com

PROLOGUE The media and military hierarchy, for the last two years, has been keen

With that said,there have been pieces of work produced by some very

to make sure that there is recognition motivated and enthusiastic individuals of the fact that the Second World War

and their work has sparked a hunger to

ended seventy years ago.

learn more about those who sacrificed

There have been numerous celebratory events across the UK with much pomp and ceremony.

However,the

black population hasbeen missing from the flag waving masses on the

their lives and the livelihood of their families to fight the ‘good fight’ for the Motherland.

So we, ACCOL, CEMAP and Hope in Unity have embarked on a journey to

sidelines. “Why?”, is the question that find out more,in particular, about the has been asked by many and the answer

contributions of those volunteers from

is a very simple one of, “our black

the Caribbean and in doing so we can

fighters and veterans have been

help to educate others in this

missing since 1918”.

19 community and those further afield.

EVENTS AND REVIEWS

10 Years from Home EXHIBITION REVIEW

t all started with one spotlight, a white sheet, a camera and this huge plan to show the world how a child’s dreams are influenced by the people around him and by the environment they grow up in. “Hello there! What’s your name?” “Uhm... I’m Martin.” “Hi Martin, what do you want to do when you grow up? What’s your dream?” “I dream of becoming a warehouse worker... I want to make money. ” “How old are you, Martin?” “I’m 11.” This is just one of the discussions we had with the young people, in regards to their career dreams. At the end, we were left wondering “WHY?”; why do they limit their dreams to money? What is particularly disturbing is how little people know about the poor conditions and often pressure the children from ethnic minority backgrounds are subjected to but no effective action is taken to remedy it. Unless there is a direct benefit, or immediate result, people tend to not care too much – If it’s not me, or my family, it doesn’t matter. Do you want your own children to develop in a society that has nothing to offer them? A community that is so selfish, and self –centred that it allows an 11 year-old to fail to dream of more. The exhibition was limited by our budget, but we pulled a couple of all nighters, worked with our budget, and managed to create something beautiful, that expressed exactly what we felt, with feedback like: #My own dreams are different, because I have another perspective about this world. #I had more opportunities. 20

by Roxi Albescu

#I always dream big. #I had very different ambitions. #... to wish to be a warehouse worker is very unusual for their age, too down to Earth. #When you’re young it should be about what you think you are good at, not what others think or say. It was a wake-up call for the people who decided to show up and learn more. People don’t realise that these children are the future of the community, and that their well-being and aspirations can change the way the entire society works. We need ambitious and educated induviduals, who think and act not just for themselves, but also FOR the community.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

BUSINESS MANAGER

We look forward to producing the personalised portraits for our competition winners: Clive Tennant and Nathan.

EVENTS AND REVIEWS

“I dream of becoming a warehouse worker...”

WAREHOUSE WORKER

COMMUNITY INTERVIEW

Professor Geof

Keith Joseph suggested I ‘go

ne bright August morning I was driving in to work and, like most mornings, I was listening to Radio 4. On this particular morning I was listening to a programme called ‘The Life Scientific’ and as I listened to the show I realised I was hearing from and about an amazing Jamaican man, Professor Geoff Palmer. I immediately resolved to feature this man as one of our STAR Interviews. Geoff Palmer arrived in England from Jamaica barely literate, yet he overcame that and the racism he found at every turn to become a world renowned professor of brewing. Professor Palmer is probably the best-known professor of brewing in the world. The holder of the American Society of Brewing Chemists’ award of distinction - the Nobel prize of brewing - was appointed an OBE for services to grain science in the 2003 Birthday Honours List. However, this internationally renowned professor at Heriot-Watt University says he would have achieved nothing had it not been for the man at the door. It was March 1955, Palmer’s first morning in England. He was 14 years and 11 months old, and had just arrived from Jamaica to join his mother. She had been working in London since 1948, saving her dressmaking wages until she had the £86 for Palmer’s passage. His mother woke him at 6am to get ready for a job as a grocery boy to earn muchneeded cash. As they left their single room in Caledonian Road, they found a man outside the front door. It transpired that he was an immigration official and his mission was to 22

ensure that the child attended school and not work. At his new school in London, he was assessed as educationally subnormal. But he was a star on the cricket pitch and was soon playing for London schoolboys in fixtures against the likes of Eton and Winchester. His cricketing prowess led to his being poached by a grammar school that offered him a grant to stay on. Nevertheless, despite his poor early education, he earned an O level in biology and at 17 applied for a job as a junior lab assistant at Queen Elizabeth College. Zoology professor Garth Chapman asked his name. On being told “Godfrey Henry Oliver Palmer”, he retorted: “You can have the job if I call you Geoff.” He has been Geoff ever since, except to his mother and school friends. Chapman proved as significant as the man at the door in helping Palmer carve out his future. The professor sent him to the local polytechnic for one day a week, and by the

COMMUNITY INTERVIEW

off Palmer OBE

o back and grow bananas’

time Palmer was 20, he had acquired three A levels and seven O levels. But even with such qualifications, he was unable to secure a place at a university. Chapman was appalled at this apparent racism. “This was the anger of a just man,” Palmer says. “He said: ‘Stay outside my door and don’t move.’ Then he came out after three-quarters of an hour and told me: ‘You’re going to Leicester University,’ even though they’d already turned me down. Everybody always said you’ve got to work hard, but if you belong to certain sectors of society, hard work without the Good Samaritan doesn’t work, because you can’t access the system.” After gaining a 2:2 in biology, Palmer applied for a sponsored MSc. The interview panel included Keith Joseph, later the guru of Thatcherism, who was so unimpressed by Palmer’s inability to distinguish wheat from barley that he suggested that Palmer return to Trinidad and grow bananas.

Instead, he went to the labour exchange on Seven Sisters Road and got a job peeling potatoes in a restaurant. “People like Keith Joseph caused a lot of black people a lot of harm and hurt,” Palmer says. “It’s worse than calling me ‘nigger’ from a car - that happened all the time, it’s no big deal. The most dangerous thing in society is people who are in a position to make a difference and prevent other people from achieving.” But Palmer met other people who were prepared to see beyond the colour of his skin. One such was Anna MacLeod, professor of brewing and biochemistry at Heriot-Watt. She accepted Palmer as a PhD student. “She weighed my achievements against my difficulties because of my references,” he says. “These people had the ability to make decisions on my potential, giving me the benefit of the doubt.” MacLeod’s faith was soon rewarded. Within two years, Palmer had completed his PhD and joined the elite Brewing Research Foundation. He made his name changing concepts in malting and cereal research, creating a formidable reputation that prompted Heriot-Watt to offer him the chair in 1989 when MacLeod retired. But Palmer’s achievements, and saving millions of pounds for the brewing industry, have been no protection from racism. More disturbingly, Palmer says he has to go into “protection mode” when travelling. “When I arrive at King’s Cross station in the middle of the night and some guy threatens to kick the **** out of me, he doesn’t give a toss who I am. I’m just black” 23

YOUNG VIBES

Traineeships... YOUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT

Education for those reaching the age of 16 has changed significantly as the Government make the cuts to the Department of Works and Pensions Budgets. There has been a major push to ensure that all those aged between the ages of 16 – 18 remain in education or training and not join the ranks of the unemployed. However, regardless of the era, the challenge that remains is making the right decisions, especially for those not academically ambitious. There are now more options available than ever before for young people leaving school to follow, the most common three are too: A) Stay at school doing A-Level courses B) Taking vocational courses such as BTECs C) Start an pprenticeship within a particular sector. Although after spending so long in school it can be scary leaving and entering the unknown. However there is another option which is to do an traineeship. A traineeship is a course that includes work experience so that you will be more ready for work or to start an apprenticeship. This is done by giving you the opportunity to gain real work skills, confidence and the experiences needed in the work place. 24

Traineeships can last anything from 6 weeks to 6 months and now can be in 170 industries with over 1400 different job roles available ranging from dentist to cabin crew. A traineeship will ensure: • High quality work placements – where you can learn what’s expected of you in the workplace, and meet with and get to know local employers • Flexible training – Where you will learn skills in other relevant areas to help you get ready for work, such as job search and interview skills, time-keeping and team working • Study in English and maths (if needed) And at the end of a traineeship, there is a chance for trainees to get a job or an interview if there is a vacancy with the placement provider. And even if there are no opportunities with that employer at that time, you will receive an exit interview with the employer where there is the opportunity to discuss individual strengths and weaknesses as well as updating the CV, getting into a job or an apprenticeship. If a traineeship sounds right for you or someone you know visit the Gov.uk website for information on local traineeships that are on offer.

TY Bello Photography

ARTS & MEDIA

Things Mama

USED TO SAY

“Things Mama Used To Say” - picture card decks by Lorlett Hudson 2004- are proverbs that originated from Jamaica. They are part of the cultural heritage. The proverbs have traveled down and stayed alive for many generations. They might remind you of your parents or grandparents, and were often used in conversations, in order to inspire, motivate and enlighten. The proverbs are in Patois (pronunced Patwa), the native language of Jamaica. WE WILL SHARE A COUPLE WITH YOU: “a nuh every ting good fi eat good fi talk” – Not everything you hear is good to repeat... Be descreet

“if yu nyam egg yu mus bruk di shell fus”- You have to live with the consequences of your actions. – Take responsibility

“wen begga beg from begga, im nebba get rich” – you will never progress if you stick with people whose values are dissimilar Choose your associates carefully

“Yu can hide buy land but yu cann hide an wuk it” – You can hide and have a relationship but you can’t hide a baby produced from it! – The truth will be revealed

“empty bag cann stan up” – We all need to have substance to function effectively – Develop yourself

“Nuh set hungry duck fi watch corn” – Don’t put temptation in someone’s path – Use common sense

“Yu cann tek medicine fi summadi else” – each individual has to take responsibility for themselves – Self determination

“Duppy no who fi fighten” - people will always pick on others they believe are inferior to themselves – Intimidation

“every pot av fi sit pan it own batty” – We all have to take responsibility for ourselves – Self determination

“Stranger nebba walk thru di back door” – Only someone close to you can hurt you as they know your secret - Betrayal

“ah tailor neva own a good suit” – Some people never practice what they preach – Behave with integrity “rain doan fall from bottom up” – Things always start from the top and work it’s way down – Leadership 25

Tattoos

ARTS & MEDIA

ARE FOR LIFE, NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS

Nels- Maori Tribes

ver the last fifteen to twenty years I have been very aware of how popular the trend of having a tattoo has become. Personally, I dislike them. However, I am aware that I was brought up in an environment where ‘disfiguring, b your body was probably the worst thing you could do. So, tattoos and piercings were definitely a “no, no, no”. As tattoos have become more acceptable, even in the work place, I thought I would investigate where this phenomenon of decorating the body started. e word ‘tattoo’ was brought to Europe by the explorer James Cook , when he returned in 1769 from his first voyage to Tahiti and New Zealand. In e Nazis introduced the practice of his narrative of the voyage, he refers to an tattooing at Auschwitz in 1941 in operation called ‘tattaw’. Before this it had ope order to identify the bodies of registered been described as scarring, painting or staining. On further investigation we can find prisoners. Not only was this a practice for the Nazis it was also practiced during the evidence that tattoos have been preserved on Roman Empire, roman soldiers were required ancient mummified human remains by law to have identifying tattoos on their throughout the world for many centuries. hands in order to make desertion difficult. It Tattoos have, and still do have significant was common that Gladiators and slaves to be spiritual, traditional and functional purposes spi tattooed with “tax paid” and “stop me, I’m a in many countries and communities around runaway” on their foreheads. In some the world. Today, people choose to be instances tattoos act as rites of passage, tattooed for artistic, cosmetic, sentimental, marks of status and rank, symbols of religious and magical reasons, and to symbolise religious and spiritual devotion, their belonging to specific gangs or groups. decoration for bravery, sexual allures and People have also been forcibly tattooed and the most well known example would marks of fertility, pledges of love, punishment, punishment amulets and talismans, be the identifications system used in protections, marks of outcasts, slaves and Nazis concentration camps during convicts. the Holocaust.

Den Yakovlev

ARTS & MEDIA

Nowadays tattoos are used by forensic pathologists to help them to identify burned, putrefied or mutilated bodies as tattoo pigmentation lies encapsulated deep in the skin and cannot be easily destroyed. The cosmetic industry has allowed a trend of increased popularity for both surgical and non-invasive procedures that has changed the whole western value system associated with tattoos. Gone are the days of tattoos only being seen as a mark of having been a sailor or ex-convict. Tattoo Parlours are now a common placed business in most towns and, according to recent research conducted, in America nearly 40 percent of the population has a tattoo. Hardly surprising as ‘tats’ have been used as a marketing tool by companies paying people to have their brand logos, (HBO, Red Bull, ASOS.com) tattooed on their bodies, a practice now know as ‘skinvertising’. In one instance a restaurant offered customers free meals for life if they had their logo tattooed on a visible part of their body!

Their popularity has also been increased as high profile celebrities, both male and female, happily display their tattoos for all to see and adore. Regardless of all the hype and popularity of tattoos there remains risks from going through the procedure, not least the fact that removal is very difficult and potentially painful, of skin infections, ink allergies, tetanus and other infectious diseases. So, having established that tattoos have been in existence for centuries and have powerful significances for many, I still believe that temporary tattoos are the best option for those of us that have no deep rooted beliefs or traditions in tattoos. So, I will be adorning myself with using the old and traditional Hindu method of staining the skin and then washing it off. Will you be getting one done?

By Sherril Donaldson 27

W VICTORIA FALLS

hile it is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, standing at a whopping 107m high ( 351 ft) and over 1.7km ( over a mile) wide Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the World and is rightly regarded as most spectacular natural landmarks in, not just Africa, but the World. Located on the Zambezi River it marks the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe although this doesn’t give the full picture of its impact. Victoria Falls has a presence that is felt across Africa. The sound made by Victoria Falls alone can be heard from 40 kilometres away; meaning if Victoria Falls were located in Dover the sound could travel across the English Channel and be heard in parts of France. Similarly the spray and mist from the falling water rises to an average height of around 400 metres, almost three times higher than the Ancient Pyramids in Egypt. It has also been known to rise to double this level on occasions meaning it can be seen for 50 kilometres, which is more than 31 miles. For these reasons local tribes named the waterfall Mosi-o-Tunya meaning “The smoke that thunders”. And for centuries the local African tribes lived in fear of the waterfall, however recently as the Waterfall gained popularity in the early 20th century the citizens of both Zambia and Zimbabwe no longer fear “the smoke that thunders”, and are benefitting from the increased tourism the Waterfall brings on both sides of the river. By the end of 1990 nearly 300,000 people were visiting the falls each year. Despite being in existence for centuries, the falls were named after Queen Victoria by explorer David Livingstone who “discovered” them in 1855 while he was becoming the first European to travel from the South to the North of Africa. He commented that “no one in England can ever imagine the beauty of this scene” and wrote that most probably angels are admiring the scenery while flying nearby.

THE SPLENDOUR AND WONDER OF

The

Victoria Falls

Although the Waterfall is spectacular all year round, the varying water levels mean it is at its peak and most spectacular in April, at the end of the rainy season when on average 500,000,000 litres of water can be seen flowing down the Waterfall, which alone would provide enough water for the everyone on Earth for 3 days. Sadly in recent years, extensive droughts have meant that the Falls have appeared to dry up. Recent photos show an almost dry gorge on the Zambian side of the Falls, leading some experts to suggest this phenomenon just like the melting Polar ice caps is yet another consequence of changes in our climate caused by global warming.

CLIMATE CHANGE QUIZ

HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT...

CLIMATE CHANGEQUIZ does the “greenhouse effect” refer 1. What 2. to? A. How plants grow B. Gases in the atmosphere that trap heat C. Pollution that causes acid rain D. The earths’s protective Ozone layer

Fahrenheit (14.4 degrees Celsius). What was the average 150 years ago?

A. About 52 degrees F (11.1 degrees C) B. About 54 degrees F (12.2 degrees C) C. About 56 degrees F (13.3 degrees C) D. About 58 degrees F (14.4 degreesC)

5. Which is a fossil fuel? A. Wood B. Natural Gas C. Solar Energy D. Dinosaur Bones

How much do scientists estimate that global sea levels rose from 1900 to 2000? A. They did not rise B. 6 to 9 inches (15 to 23 centimeters) C. 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 meters) D. 10 to 12 feet (3 to 3.7 meters)

The fastest-growing energy source in the world since 1990 is: A. Wind B. Solar C. Water D. Coal

A. Carbon Dioxide B. Methane C. Water vapor D. All of the above

Which gas is produced by burning fossil fuels? A.Oxygen B. Helium C. Carbon Dioxide D. Hydrogen

By what percentage have the levels of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere increased between 1850 and 2015? A. 10% B. 20% C. 30% D. 40%

of these countries emits the 8. Which most carbon dioxide? A. Nigeria B. U.S.A C. China D. India change can only result in 10. Climate decreased rainfall and drought. True or False? A. True B. False 1B 2C 3C 4C 5B 6D 7B 8C 9A 10B

average temperature of the earth’s 3. The surface is currently about 58 degrees

Which gas is good at trapping heat from the Earth’ssurface?

NEXT EDITION

Next Edition... HIV/AIDS Just because you can’t see it, it doesn’t mean it’s not there. 17.1 million people do not know that they have the deadly virus. Worldwide 37 million people are living with HIV. Although the media has focused on other “breaking news”, the virus continues to hit.

LADY FINGERS This fabulous full of fiber green, also going under the name of Okra, has been around for quite a while, used to prevent colon cancer, control diabetes, asthma etc. with many other benefits. A vegetable worth getting to know better.

SOMETHING FOR NOTHING Everyone likes freebies, or cheap products and big companies are no exception. What is the impact of “trade-off ” between the West and the Third World companies, on the masses.

YOUNG, UNEMPLOYED, UK “Young - Poor - Living with mom” describes 29% of the young people that are now a part of the austerity generation. How to avoid becoming one of the 24.5% of the prison population or 1 in 4 of the young people who experience suicidal thoughts.

GET YOUR BUSINESS MENTIONED

IN OUR MAGAZINE

£10

WANT TO

OUR STARTING PRICE ONLY

advertise WITH US? GET IN TOUCH ACCOL CENTRE 19-23 Freehold Street PHONE: 0247 6227 470 CV1 5BG 0743 6531 760 Coventry EMAIL: sherril.accol@gmail.com