LEARNING LINKS INTERNATIONAL CIC
ANNUAL STATEMENT February 2016–January 2017
Learning Links International has achieved a great deal in its sixth year, continuing to embrace the purpose and aims stated in ourCIC purpose and aims, “to provide benefit to a number of sections of the UK community, as well as the communities we are working with internationally:
1 to create better community cohesion in schools, colleges and universities, as well as offender
and mental health services
2 to create better respect and understanding of the languages and cultures of Africa, the Caribbean
and other countries by providing cultural awareness events and training for communities and organisations
3 to work to create a culture which promotes better understanding of environmental issues, interfaith acceptance
and social cohesion through research activities, workshops projects with schools and the development of resources
The CIC has again worked mainly in North Wales this year, facilitating activities in schools and with Bangor University, as well as with numerous community groups, raising awareness and knowledge relating to Black History and its links with Wales, and celebrating the achievements of Black people. Learning Links International took the lead to manage Black History Month again in North Wales and agreed to work with a range of organisations to create a programme of activities. This has developed our partnerships with the North Wales Jamaica Society, NWAMI/CCE, The African Caribbean Students Union and CPLW in Wrexham. Learning Links International was supported by a small grant from Arts Council Wales which enable us to work with a number of community groups, this was facilitated by Race Council Cymru which is the organisation now leading on Black History Month across Wales.
We have continued to be active in raising awareness about racism, and have worked with the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, as well as the Hate Crime Officer for Wales, for example in setting the first International Symposium on Black History and Racism in North Wales, as well as running workshops in schools using a new strategy called “All Together” see tab on LLI site. We also introduced the concept of “Fair and Friendly” through the Awards for All “Celebration” events we organised with our partners in Bangor, using education and entertainment to break down racial and cultural barriers though community engagement.
We developed “The Irie Pesda Festival” to a main focus to challenge issues in community engagement in and around Bethesda. We researched the links between Jamaican Poetry and Welsh Poetry, which proved fascinating. We engaged with Literature Wales and the National Poet of Wales, Ifor ap Glyn and other local poets, who worked with Jamaican Poet Yasus Afari to produce an excellent event called “Irie Bards” as part of the “Irie Pesda Festival”. Please check
When we discovered that Jamaica has Eisteddfod, we decided it was time to make a formal link between Jamaica and Wales. Jamaican Poet, Yasus Afari, invited Welsh Poet, Rhys Trimble, to Jamaica to perform at an event over there. However, as Arts Council Wales were unable to support him, Learning Links International stepped in and organised a small delegation including Rhys Trimble to go over to Jamaica to explore the links in September 2016. As a result of this the “Jamaica Wales Alliance” has been set up and it has been agreed that Learning Links International will manage this, supported by the North Wales Jamaica Society and “Jamaica 2000”, the sister charity of Learning Links International. The visit was highly successful, please check
Learning Links International invited Yasus Afari to be “Poet in Residence in North Wales” for Black History Month in October 2016 and were delighted when he agreed. Yasus Afari and Rhys Trimble presented the research from XXXXXXX
So the seeds we have sown over the past years began to flourish! The Reading Groupthat LLI set upat the Centre for Cultural Engagement in Colwyn Bay to study the book “Scandal at Congo House” established themselves as a community research group and with help from Learning Links International and a little funding from Colwyn Bay Town Council, they put on an Open Day at the CCE to share their research into the life and times of Rev. William Hughes.
As a next step we decided to contact descendants of Rev. William Hughes and have moved to supporting them to lead the next steps in the research, applying to Colwyn Bay Council for funds to enable us to produce a short film of the family telling the story of Rev William Hughes and his contributions made to the community of Colwyn Bay.
Exploration of further areas for research has been the focus of discussions and workshops with local historical researcher, Dr Marian Gwyn, who has been very active in supporting LLI and BHM, as well as continuing developing and delivering talks for localorganisations and community groups.
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Liz Millman has continued using her time in Australia to explore potential links in Australia and now has Llanfair PG WI in Wales linked withtheCountry Women’s Association in Australia, and Cleobury Mortimer WI linked with Monbulk Lady Night Hawkes CWA group. Liz has also now got strong links with rotary International and Liz’sinterest in “Family Language Heritage” has been taken up by an Australian based colleague, Penne Thornton, and plans are in hand to develop this project over there, with informal support from LLI.
Many thanks go to all the artistes, academics and volunteers who have been involved in the work of the company and its varied projects, and who continue to support Learning Links International in developing future projects. those who have supported Learning Links International CIC again during this past year. A great deal of effort has gone into maintaining and developing activities and at last we have taken on a Business Manager!Welcome to Tony Stringfellow, we really do appreciate your support!
Prepared by the Directors of Learning Links International CIC 20 02 17
(1), (2) and (3) are references to the activities agreed by Companies House