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Our *September 2021 Spotlight Organisation* is Reach Dem UK!

Yekoliah Amartsoo tells us all about the charity, the support that they give and how people can connect and get support from Reach Dem UK - (Published 31 August 2021)

Yekoliah Amartsoo tells us all about the charity, the support that they give and how people can connect and get support from Reach Dem UK:

Your name?

Yekoliah Amartsoo.

What’s your job role?

Project Development.

What does your organisation do?

Reach Dem UK was established in 2013 as a direct result of the hopelessness experienced by so many BAME young people today. Our aim is to ensure that young people are empowered with the tools and knowledge to help them make informed decisions about how they live their lives within their communities. We aim to improve the lives of young BAME people, and their families by presenting them with a community hub which would seek to encourage and develop self-esteem, providing greater awareness of self and their future potential.

Conversely, due to Covid19, RDUK stands somewhat at a crossroad. However, we aim to take a bold step towards the vision that we have held since conception and that is to reach young BAME people by ANY means necessary. We aim to become a force for positive change in our community whilst encouraging collaboration and, above all, helping to ensure that they and their families are able to access our services without the inequality barriers which exist giving them more control and choice whilst highlighting the challenges to mental health, digital exclusion, loneliness and isolation.

That means diverting our focus from face to face – to the digital provision of online training, employability, wellbeing, advice and support. This will also mean demonstrating with greater clarity and transparency of what works, and what doesn’t, for the people we serve.

Our strategy is to recognise how the pandemic has impacted the mental and physical, wellbeing and general safety of young BAME people within the community. We propose, therefore, to shift our focus to these four core areas and promote all the aspects within the building of a physical and virtual community hub.

The concepts of “Aunty Gloria’s Kitchen” and “ Phone a Friend” will become integral to our community hub whereby BAMEs of all ages can volunteer, get support and build strong community networks as we commence the rebuilding of RDUK over the next five years.

We are located at the Thrive Business Hub, Surrey Quays Leisure Centre, London SE16 7LW. Contact number: 07842 438 576 & Helpline Number: 0300 365 2021, Website: reachdem.org.uk, Email: info@reachdem.org.uk, Instagram: @reach_uk, Facebook: reachdem.uk.

How does your organisation support & benefit the Southwark community?

Our organisation supports and benefit the Southwark Community by being an integral and representational part of it.

 

What are you working on, is there anything you would like to highlight?

Aunty Gloria’s Kitchen & Phone A Friend – both using virtual platforms to reach those people who have been isolated throughout covid19.

Video from beneficiaries of Reach Dem

 

How did you hear about Community Southwark?

 

Through a friend.

How has Community Southwark helped you?

With governance, funding, updates on events/training, social media and website assistance.

Would you recommend Community Southwark to other charities for support?

Yes.

How can people get support from your organisation?

By contacting us direct or by referral.

How can people support your charity and find out more about what you do?

By Volunteering their services. We are 95% volunteer based – we have a position for everyone!, by giving donations, by word of mouth sharing our services amongst the community of Southwark.

Website link:

www.reachdem.org.uk

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/reachdem1

Instagram:

reachdem_UK

 

Feature in a Member Spotlight!

Do you want to tell everyone about the invaluable work that you do?

If so, please fill in our online spotlight form here and we will be in touch to tell you when your article will feature on our website, ebulletin and social media channels.

For any queries, please email: info@communitysouthwark.org