African Challenge Scotland Covid-19 relief and the impact on BAME communities in Glasgow
African Challenge Scotland (ACS) has played a major role in the relief efforts in Glasgow during the Covid-19 lockdown. With the organisation’s long-established community engagement through multicultural events and other empowerment programmes since 2014, it has a better understanding of the needs of Black Asian Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.
A huge financial crisis has unfolded in the wake of the Covid-19 lockdown among BAME communities with many losing their major source of income. African Challenge Scotland has been able to support more than 350 BAME families through the support and funding grants received from the National Emergencies Trust through Foundation Scotland, The National Lottery Community Fund, The Scottish Government, Refugee Survival Trust, ng homes and East Dunbartonshire Food Bank. Through this initiative, engagement with the BAME communities has shown that many BAME families, especially single parents and refugees, are struggling to meet the basic family needs during the lockdown. Within the first week, the number of families reaching out for support was massive and exceeded 145. This showed that BAME families were already suffering from unemployment and struggling under tremendous financial pressure to pay their bills and meet other demands even before the pandemic.
African Challenge Scotland has worked tirelessly to ensure that no families are left without support. This initiative would not have been successful without the effort of many passionate community volunteers and young people from across all ethnic backgrounds. Those helping have included the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Philip Braat, Councillors Graham Campbell, Christina Cannon, Ruairi Kelly, Annette Christie, Anne McLaughlin MP, Bob Doris MSP, ng homes staff and African Challenge Scotland’s young ambassadors and adult volunteers. African Challenge Scotland deeply appreciate the selfless services of the passionate and dedicated volunteers who they have always been able to depend on over the years.
Robert Tamburrini, ng homes Chief Executive said: “The commitment of volunteers organised by African Challenge Scotland and other partner organisations like ng homes to provide basic groceries to local families during lockdown has been truly remarkable. The time and commitment they put in to assist their neighbours throughout North Glasgow is proof positive that there is a real sense of community action and spirit.”
Bob Doris MSP for Maryhill and Springburn said: “It has been a privilege to assist African Challenge Scotland offer culturally appropriate food to members of the community who have been struggling or isolated. Having worked with them over many years, they never fail to show great community leadership. My heartfelt thanks for everyone’s efforts which have made a real difference right across the communities I represent.”
Anne McLaughlin MP for Glasgow North East said: “The work African Challenge Scotland is doing is so important and it’s been important to me in my work as an MP. In delivering food with them I have met people in extremely isolated positions who I’ve been able to help. One woman had been in her flat for three months with her three-month-old baby. When I told her, she could form a bubble with a friend she said she didn’t know anybody in Glasgow. Not a single person. African Challenge Scotland is getting to the people who need them the most.”
Ronier Deumeni, Founder of African Challenge Scotland said: “Over the last 14 weeks, many of our incredible volunteers have made a difference through their extraordinary acts of kindness by providing African food parcels, toiletries, feminine products, and financial support to BAME families across Glasgow and beyond. This was possible with the support from all our funders, partners and ng homes.”
OTHER BLOG POSTS
Innovative employment programme benefits young people from African Challenge Scotland
African Challenge Scotland has partnered with Glasgow Theatres to tackle workplace diversity and create employment opportunities for young people in North Glasgow through an innovative employment programme.
Young People from North Glasgow discuss their future with Scottish Parliament‘s Presiding Officer
African Challenge Scotland were at the forefront of bringing a group of young people together to meet with the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Rt Hon Ken Macintosh MSP.
African Challenge Scotland visit Parliament as MSP raises congratulatory motion
African Challenge Scotland (ACS) visited the Scottish Parliament in early December after a local MSP raised a parliamentary motion to praise the excellent work of the group.
Over 1000 people bring in the Chinese New Year with ng homes
The Chinese community across Glasgow brought in 2017 in style as three major events across the city welcomed in the year of the Rooster.
Young People take up African Challenge with ng homes
As part of our continued partnership with African Challenge Scotland, ng homes provided a unique opportunity for young people to undertake a comprehensive work experience programme across a full week over the summer period.
African Challenge Scotland Annual Events Programme
T he third annual summer events programme organised by African Challenge Scotland (ACS) took place earlier this year. African Challenge Scotland is a registered voluntary organisation based in North Glasgow...
New Handy Person Service for Elderly and Disabled Customers
Need a cupboard door adjusted, a light bulb changed or flat pack furniture assembled and can’t do it yourself? Sometimes it can also be expensive to get an expert in so ng homes have introduced a new handy person service for elderly and disabled tenants and residents.
Celebrating the Year of Young People 2018
Ah, to be young! Those late nights without a care in the world, the exuberant energy, plooks, tantrums, having all your teeth. What a great time to be alive.
African Challenge Scotland Safety Workshops a Big Hit with Young People
The first in a series of workshops delivered by Police Scotland and African Challenge Scotland aimed at educating young people on keeping safe has proved a great success in North Glasgow.
African Challenge Scotland visit Springburn Fire Station
African Challenge Scotland (ACS) Children and Youth Club recently visited the Scottish Fire and Rescue Services at The Springburn Station.
Residents Say Balgrayhill Best Flats in the City
Residents car parks at Balgrayhill in North Glasgow have benefitted from major investment which has seen the number of parking spaces increased and much needed environmental improvements carried out.
East And West Housing Associations Help People Try For Jobs
A course that uses the game of rugby to teach participants crucial life lessons and core values is helping unemployed people find work in Scotland’s two largest cities.
African Challenge Scotland Week
A week of events to celebrate African culture with the people of North Glasgow has been deemed a great success by those who attended.
African Challenge Scotland Celebrate International Women’s Day
African Challenge Scotland hosted an International Women’s Day Conference last month at Saracen House in Possilpark with guest speakers Dr Ima Jackson...
Multicultural Empowerment Programme 2017
Community Sport Event, African Challenge Scotland Jobs Fair 2017, North Glasgow Communities Clean-up
A week of Multicultural celebration in North Glasgow with African Challenge Scotland
African Challenge Scotland’s Multicultural Empowerment Programme kicked off the Summer in style with a football tournament at Peugeot Ashfield Stadium in early August that launched a week of inspiring and engaging multicultural events.
Celebrating Climate Challenge in North Glasgow
T here were celebrations all round at ng homes’ Climate Challenge Award Ceremony with a total of 84 members of the community and 12 organisations and project partners picking up awards.
A New Year and time to try something new
A New Year often makes us reflect back and also to look forward into the year ahead. So why not take a bit of time and give some thought into what‘s going on in your community that you might want to give a try.
Celebration of culture at African Challenge Scotland’s MultiCultural Music Festival
The African Challenge Scotland ‘Multi-Cultural Music Festival’ took place on the 24th August 2019 at the Springburn Community Village, in Springburn Park, Glasgow.
ng homes and African Challenge Scotland deliver enhanced Work Experience Programme in North Glasgow
ng homes and African Challenge Scotland continue to strengthen their partnership and work together to deliver their unique Work Experience Programme for young people in North Glasgow.
Youth Board
Providing young people in North Glasgow with a ‘voice‘ is very important for ng homes and two of the Association‘s Board members have recently been working closely with young people from the area to explore ways in which this can be taken forward.
African Challenge Scotland dedicated to supporting BAME communities
African Challenge Scotland is delighted to be partnering with ng homes to support the BAME communities through funding from Barclays
Free Homework Help Classes
At African Challenge Scotland, children and young people are our present and future.
Partnership between African Challenge Scotland and Glasgow Theatres tackles workforce diversity
African Challenge Scotland (ACS) is a voluntary organisation based in Glasgow but it is Scotland-wide. It helps build more successful integrated communities...
African Challenge Scotland recaps a busy year
African Challenge Scotland (ACS) has been hard at work supporting BAME communities across North Glasgow and beyond.
North Glasgow Community comes together to support those in need during the pandemic
The last nine months have been very challenging as people struggle to cope with the effects of Covid and many finding themselves in situations of hardship, isolation and loneliness.
Honours for well-known volunteer Ronier
Ronier Deumeni, founder of African Challenge Scotland (ACS), has been recognised for his efforts in promoting and developing representation and inclusion within the workplace and communities
Motion: African Challenge Scotland
That this House commends African Challenge Scotland, based in Springburn, for its work supporting the African community in Glasgow
Motion: African Challenge Scotland STEM Ambassadors
That the Parliament congratulates African Challenge Scotland on its efforts in supporting young people’s education in 2021
Motion: African Challenge Scotland's COVID-19 Response
That the Parliament welcomes the significant contribution made by African Challenge Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic
Young People
Our project introduced the young people and women to opportunities in civic engagement, work experience, internship and graduate programmes
Improving women's adaptation to climate change.
Women's vulnerability to climate change stems from a number of factors -- social, economic and cultural.
Space for Everyone
Delighted to support the UK Space Agency with their outreach for the "Space for Everyone" rocket tour.
Our FREE maths programme helps children of all ages and ability levels to develop maths skills and a love of numbers.
Our students are aged nine to older children and each one is assessed at the beginning of their studies journey to ensure they work at just the right level.
Our FREE programme will assist underserved children and young people, ages 9-20
Our FREE programme will assist underserved children and young people, ages 9-20, with homework, assessment, in all academic areas.
Jacobs Engineering UK Ltd
At African Challenge Scotland, we are committed to providing opportunities to young people who may otherwise face exclusion, discrimination or lack of opportunity.
Kinning Park, Glasgow City, United Kingdom
Scotland's Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone QPM said: “Police Scotland is institutionally racist and discriminatory.”
Ron Davey Enterprise Centre Springburn
Scotland's Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone QPM said: “Police Scotland is institutionally racist and discriminatory.”
At African Challenge Scotland, we have a strong culture of caring.
Delighted to host a stall and provide a FREE BBQ to our communities during the Springburn Community Festival.
Springburn Community Street Festival Saturday 19 August 2023
African Challenge Scotland cannot achieve its mission without a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.