Projects

Providing a safe space for young people to explore creativity without judgment.

As of Spring 2022 we have some exciting projects underway and to look forward to.

Projects

Upcoming Events

Our empowerment programme is designed to help young people Understanding Self, Skill Development, Building Relationships, Maximising Potential and Encouraging Creativity.

Parent Fitness Programme

Funded by Northamptonshire Sport, since the beginning of lockdown we have been working together with parents to support young people with their wellbeing  and mental health. Over the next 6 month we will run 2 HITT Class sessions two days a week for the parents of our young members.

International Healthcare Worker Integration Project

Funded by Northamptonshire Community Trust, AYA is conscious that young people within the African community can be disproportionality discriminated against or taken advantage of when it comes to employment and may not be fully aware of their rights when it comes to employment law. 

Young Person Fitness Project

Funded by Northamptonshire Sport, the project’s main aim is to improve the well-being, mental health, self-confidence, and self-esteem of African BAME young people across the county of Northamptonshire.

African Settlement Project

Funded by The National Lottery Platinum Jubilee Fund, the project will see generation gap from Commonwealth countries talk about their journey and how Great Britain has influenced them, with key focus on the monarchy. This will all be documented and presented in an exhibition to allow future generations to view.

Gangs, Drugs and County Lines

Funded by Northamptonshire Community Foundation, AYA is conscious that BAMEs are disproportionality in the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales.

Parent Sessions

Although AYA is for young people, we believe preparing a young person for independent living is a journey for the whole family. With that in mind, we have a session just for parents.

testimonials

What our members are saying

Young Person

Mehetabel Chidumo 17

5/5

My name is Mehetabel Chidumo and I’m a 17 year old currently studying English Literature, English Language and History at A levels; as well as core maths and the addition of an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification). In January 2020, I successfully planned and led a homelessness project in order to bring hope to those experiencing harrowing situations in their lives. With the aid of friends, we packaged 24 drawstring bags (for durability and reusability) with everyday items such as toothpaste, a toothbrush, deodorant, hand sanitizer, plasters, tissues, wipes, sanitary pads for women, lip balm, 5L water bottles, emergency thermal blankets and 2.5kg packets of dog food as part of the packs of items we generally forget homeless people need on a daily basis. Conclusively, each homeless pack was donated to The Hope Centre – an anti-poverty charity that works to provide basic needs and support for those struck with poverty and homelessness voluntarily and I’m exceedingly grateful for The Burns Price Foundation for granting me £200 in order to fund this communal project, Hope.

Mentor

Dalitso Tembo

5/5

My name is Dalitso, I work as an Independent Sexual Violence Advocate for children and young people. Alongside my job I also have an editorial business: Tapeza and I run a ministry called Twenty Four Five.  I have always been passionate about empowering young people and was voted in as Member of the UK Youth Parliament at age 15. This motivated me to become an AYA mentor and Strategist in 2017 as growing up a Black British person I never felt like there were any spaces outside of church for people like me or to prepare me for life after school. As a result I always felt like I did not fit and couldn’t truly embrace my African culture unless I was at church. AYA provides a space for young people of African descent to learn about their heritage and prepare them for life outside of school.

AYA is important because it helps empower young people by giving them access to successful people from the British African people. It gives the young people confidence and faith that if someone else who was once in their shoes can become successful, so can they. This is my favourite thing about AYA, seeing shy young people find their confidence because of their involvement with AYA. As a mentor and Strategist AYA has also helped me in my personal and professional development as it has provided many opportunities to develop my skills, knowledge and expand my network. Through AYA, I have made connections that have helped me secure an internship in the legal sector, which resulted in me landing a graduate job straight after finishing my Law degree. In the next 5 years, I would love to see AYA covering the whole of the UK, so that every young person of African descent like myself can have the support and space they need to reach their full potential.

Parent

Adelaide Chibanda

5/5

Africa Youth Arise AYA ran their Annual Poetry competition, and I encouraged my daughter who didn’t have a lot of self confidence in herself and her talents to enter the competition. She was the 2nd runner up of which I was so proud and at least someone else independent was telling her how good she was not just mum. The boost in confidence it gave her is immeasurable and I believe this was one of the factors that has led her to be this amazing, confident, young woman who is proud of her heritage, is thriving at University and she continues to write Poetry as well as writing a blog. I cannot thank AYA enough for the part they played it truly does take a village