SSAP

Claire O’Shea – Head of Hub Cymru Africa Claire O'Shea

Tue, 13 May 2025 22:56:00 +0000

We’re heartbroken to share that our friend and colleague, and Head of Hub Cymru Africa, Claire O’Shea died peacefully on Monday surrounded by her family.

A passionate civil society leader and campaigner for social justice, Claire’s impact has been profound.

Since joining Hub Cymru Africa in 2019, Claire became a leader in global solidarity and international development.

Everyone at SSAP, the wider sector and beyond are heartbroken by the loss, but Claire’s legacy in global solidarity will continue to be felt for years to come.

Building Community and Wellbeing: The Impact of Jamii II in Bangor

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 15:25:00 +0000

By Carol Adams

I recently visited Bangor as part of the Jamii II project, which focuses on improving health and wellbeing in Black communities across Wales.

Life Before Jamii II

For many participants, life before Jamii II felt isolating and monotonous.

Many participants shared how they were seeking more than just physical activity—they wanted a space where they could bond with others, share experiences, and feel included.

The Transformational Impact of Jamii II

Once participants became involved in Jamii II, the change was undeniable.

One participant’s favorite activity is the games night, which gave them a chance to connect with others and manage stress better.

Another participant described the family-oriented nature of Jamii’s events: "Games night is a huge family time.

Another participant described how the project’s focus on wellbeing brought light back into their life.

A New Sense of Belonging

A strong theme that emerged from the discussions was the sense of belonging that Jamii has fostered.

For families, the activities were particularly valuable.

Looking Ahead

Despite some barriers, such as work schedules clashing with activities, participants expressed a desire for Jamii II to continue.

Voices from Jamii II Anxiety Management Class I-Poem

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 16:11:00 +0000

Written by Carol Adams

We had a chat with some of the participants from the Jamii II Anxiety Management Class which was facilitated by Community Care And Wellbeing Services (CCAWS).

I sometimes feel so stressed.

I have lots of things going on around me.

I would like to reduce my anxiety and know how to deal in the hard times.

I want to improve my life; to transform to my best version.

I want to have more skills to fight this anxiety

I am a mom and a working mom.

I am so busy.

I’m on my own here.

I don’t have family.

I lost all my friends.

I found out that as my responsibility is increasing, my stress level is increasing as well.

I try to read a lot on my own about how to manage my stress; reading is not like interacting with professionals and listening to them.

I have lots of challenges in my life.

I have to sort out a lot of things.

I would like my life to be easier than now.

I am struggling to do the first step and I would like to be brave to take a leap.

I want to do what I want to do and not think about what they say about me and what I should do.

I want to be more relaxed…more in peace with my life.

I don't want to be juggling.

I want to catch up on personal goals that I have been delaying for so long.

That's why I joined the Anxiety Management Class

I'm more able now to manage my stress through the breathing techniques - through disconnecting myself from the situation.

I'm trying to apply a lot of what I've learned.

I'm releasing negative energy of stress and anxiety.

I'm really satisfied with what I learned.

I learned how to manage my stress and reduce anxiety.

I wish I could have more lessons like that.

I manage my life stress situations and sadness.

I'm not 100%, I am not cured from this social anxiety, but I am making a start.

I now know that I have to take care about myself.

I have tools to fight against anxiety.

I have lots of hopes and things to do.

I am focusing more on my circle of control.

I have a new way of thinking.

I'm aware about what is happening now, why I'm anxious.

We are women from ethnic minority communities where there is mental health stigma.

Building Bonds and Better Health: Sarra's Journey with Jamii in Empowering Black Communities in Wales

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 11:37:00 +0000

Written by Carol Adams

Jamii II offers a wide range of activities for Black communities in Wales to help improve health and wellbeing.

Why Join Jamii Activities?

The women joined Jamii activities for various reasons:

To meet new people and connect with others from different Black cultures.
To enjoy some "me time" and improve their physical fitness and overall health (both physical and mental).
To learn something new and have a fun, happy space.
Some participants, especially those whose children had recently left home, wanted a positive activity to keep busy.

Sense of Belonging and Community

A recurring theme among participants was the sense of belonging and community they felt.

“We have a lot in common.
“I feel at home.
“We can just be.
“These activities give time for sisterhood and friendship.
“It’s easier to communicate.
.

They drew strength from the sisterhood, sharing life experiences and knowing they had friends.
Physical Health Benefits

Jamii activities aim to improve physical health, and all participants reported benefits such as improved mobility, increased strength, and weight loss.

“The Zumba was empowering.
“Since joining the Jamii activities, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my strength and stamina.
“The supportive community keeps me motivated to push myself further.

This newfound confidence often leads participants to explore other physical activities, creating a positive cycle of health and fitness.

Mental Health Benefits

Having a consistent group activity where you feel like you belong also helps improve mental health.
The emotional support from these activities can be profound:

“You can be happy with community, not just family.
“When I treat myself to a Jamii activity, it releases stress and has a good influence on my family.
Engaging in these activities provides a mental break from daily stresses, allowing participants to relax and recharge.

In summary, the physical and mental health benefits of Jamii II activities are substantial.
Jamii II offers a variety of activities that cater to different interests and needs.
Swimming Classes

Participants cherished that the swimming sessions were for women only, which was crucial in their decision to join.

“Swimming relaxed me.

One participant shared her personal victory of overcoming her fear of water and now enjoys swimming.
Nutrition Classes

Participants learned valuable skills in the nutrition classes, including:

How to balance their diet and eat more fruits and vegetables.
Portion control and understanding the impact of food on physical and mental health.

Community-Driven Approach

At Jamii II, we believe in listening to the community to help us decide what activities would be most beneficial.
Join the Jamii II Project and experience these benefits for yourself!

The Power of Football in Building Community and Wellbeing for Black Men

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 14:26:00 +0000

Written by Carol Adams

Football, often referred to as "the beautiful game," is more than just a sport; it’s a universal language that brings people together, fosters community spirit, and promotes a healthy lifestyle.
Beyond the physical advantages, football is a powerful tool for mental well-being.
The Importance of a Football Group for Black Communities

While the benefits of playing football are universal, having a football activity specifically for Black communities offers additional, unique advantages.
We chatted with a few of the members of the Jamii football group to learn more about it.
By promoting physical fitness, mental well-being, and social cohesion, our football group is not just about playing a game—it’s about building a stronger, healthier, and more connected community.
If you would like to join, please contact Otjah mbinomujame.

Discover the Joy of Community and Music with Soel Connect Choir

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 15:33:00 +0000

Written by Carol Adams

Are you ready to embark on a musical journey filled with friendship, support, and cultural richness?
Frances S.
Frances, a participant from an African country, found herself navigating the uncertainties of a new life in Wales.
Cathy S.
For Cathy S.
Mary S.
Amidst life's demands, Mary found solace and rejuvenation through her involvement with Soel Connect.
Forging Lifelong Friendships and Strong Connections

A fundamental aspect of Soel Connect's impact is its ability to foster genuine friendships and forge strong connections among its members.
Frances S.
Cathy S.
These heartfelt connections transcend cultural backgrounds and age differences.
In times of joy and adversity, the members of Soel Connect stand by each other, providing unwavering support and companionship.
As Frances S.
Join Soel Connect: Experience the Magic of Community

Are you ready to experience the transformative power of music and community?
Contact Don't miss out on the opportunity to embark on a musical journey filled with friendship, support, and cultural richness.
Soel Connect Socials

IG - YT -

Note:

The names of the individuals featured in this blog post, Frances S.

SSAP new host of the Hub Cymru Africa partnership

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 13:29:00 +0000

Ten years after the founding of Hub Cymru Africa partnership, the Sub-Sahara Advisory Panel will take over as the new host-partner, replacing the Welsh Centre for International Affairs.
Following 10 years as hosts of the Hub Cymru Africa Partnership, the Welsh Centre for International Affairs (WCIA) will be replaced as host partners by the Sub-Sahara Advisory Panel (SSAP).
The Hub Cymru Africa Partnership does important work in supporting the global solidarity sector, and the Wales and Africa Community.
SSAP has brought invaluable expertise to the Hub Cymru Africa partnership from inclusion, diversity and our ongoing Reframing the Narrative project.
Announcing the move, Head of Hub Cymru Africa, Claire O’Shea said:

“We’re grateful for the leadership and role that WCIA has given to the partnership and the global solidarity sector over the last ten years.
“As we continue our work to better represent and serve our partners here in Wales and in Africa, and implement our values of justice and anti-racism, it is right that SSAP steps in as the new host of Hub Cymru Africa.

Fadhili Maghiya, CEO of SSAP said:

“The Wales and Africa Programme has grown from strength to strength over the years.
“I’m looking forward to continuing this work and building on our successes as the new hosts of the Hub Cymru Africa Partnership.

Dr Gill Richardson, Co-Chair of WCIA said:

“I’d like to thank the amazing Hub Cymru Africa team for all they’ve done over the past 10 years that WCIA has had the privilege to host.
“This new phase of Hub Cymru Africa will see our close partner, SSAP, host the partnership.

Embark on a Journey of Wellness and Connection with Jamii 2 Project

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 14:42:00 +0000

By Carol Adams - Jamii 2 Researcher

Join us for an exhilarating adventure of self-discovery and community empowerment with the Jamii 2 Project!

Discover Belonging: Find your community and foster genuine connections through our array of activities.
Experience Healing and Renewal: Life can be challenging, but with the support of our community, participants find solace and rejuvenation.
Prioritize Your Physical Health: In addition to the social and mental health benefits, our activities also prioritize physical wellbeing.
Empower Women Our women-only Zumba classes provide a space for empowerment, connection, and self-expression.
Embrace Diversity and Inclusion One aspect participants appreciate about the Soel Connect choir is its multicultural environment.
Free and Accessible: We believe that everyone deserves access to wellbeing activities, regardless of financial constraints.
Join the Movement Ready to embark on your journey of wellness and connection?

Tackling gender roles one story at a time: Nigerian 22 year old Female Truck Driver

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 14:08:00 +0000

Collaboration article/blog between Hub Cymru Africa and SSAP

By Isimbi Sebageni, Diaspora and Inclusion Officer

2.

According to a survey conducted by the International Road Transport Union (IRU) in 2022 - only 3% of truck drivers in Europe and the world are female (

“When I’m driving I feel so good!

In this article, we will be looking at the story of Ademola Omolade who is a 22 year old female truck driver located in Nigeria who allowed us to have a brief interview with her and share her story.

Ademola comes from a family and community that holds specific expectations for women - even today.
Data from

“Everywhere I go - people just stop, stare and look at me!

With three years driving trucks, Ademola let us know she has only come across one other female truck driver and has grown to understand how foreign female presence is in the Nigerian trucking industry.

The Good Ancestors Club: Art and Climate Justice in Action

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 12:03:00 +0000

The Good Ancestors Club: Art and Climate Justice in Action

Open Call

'Sub-Sahara Advisory Panel are inviting Black and Brown creatives and allies to develop their skills as Climate Activists and use their creativity to fight for Climate Justice’

This Arts Council Wales-funded project will create an incubation space for Black Excellence in creative climate activism, support climate resilience in our communities, and bring together Black and Brown creatives and allies in Wales and Kenya.

How does it work?
All interested creatives will be offered opportunities to take part in a free development programme, including:

This period of upskilling and training will support creatives to develop themselves as effective climate communicators.
Selected campaigns will receive up to £3500 in artist fees plus materials and support.
How to apply:

We would love to hear a little about yourself; your creative practice and what motivates you personally.
Please send us up to 2 pages of text or up to 3 minutes of video or audio recording.
Tell us about your artistic practice and previous experience:

What motivates you to take action for climate justice?
What new knowledge, connections and skills would you like to gain?
What ideas for creative climate activism would you like to develop?
Send your answers to Deadline: 1st January 2024

SSAP Sudan Fundraising Event Blog

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 10:28:00 +0000

On 15th April 2023 conflict, instability and tension took over the nation of Sudan.

In response SSAP collaborated with the Sudan Community as well as Hub Cymru Africa, G39, Non-Place Collective and Umbrella Art Collective Cardiff to put together an awareness Bazaar on the 24th June 2023.

The location of the event was held at the art gallery G39 in Cardiff and the style of the event was a bazaar with several purchasable items and experiences such as henna design booth, Sudan style coffee, traditional clothing, handicrafts, Sudan meals, arts and crafts.

This event also offered an open stage for the Sudan community to share, express and communicate personal reflections or speeches concerning Sudan.

We received the following feedback about the event;

From our attendees we picked up the following reflections.

“I bought some perfume & mineral hair treatment (mud!

“ It was good, generally.

“ It was good!
Photo credits: Polly Thomas for g39

Reframing Picton

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 19:39:28 +0000

Reframing Picton: New artworks go on display at National Museum Cardiff alongside re-interpreted portrait of Thomas Picton

Date:2022-08-01

The exhibition includes two newly commissioned artworks, which will become part of Wales’ national collection.
Alongside the new commissions, Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton’s portrait will return to the museum’s walls in a travel frame following its removal in November 2021.
The decision to reinterpret the portrait was made as part of Reframing Picton – a youth-led project team involving the SSAP Youth Leadership Network and the Amgueddfa Cymru Producers.
The project team looked at objects across Amgueddfa Cymru’s collections to reinterpret the narrative around Picton.
The Reframing Picton project team said:

“For generations, even up to recent years, saying ‘Black Lives Matter’ has been controversial.
“One of our goals for this exhibition was to create a site of conscience rather than indoctrination.
The commissions follow a callout by Amgueddfa Cymru in January 2021 for artists to explore alternatives to the colonial narrative represented by the portrait of Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton and to centre Black experiences.
The new artworks by Gesiye and Laku Neg explore narratives of ancestry, healing, transformation and empowerment and they challenge the colonial narratives that have traditionally existed in National Museum Cardiff’s galleries by centring Black consciousness, experiences, and voices.
Gesiye (pronounced gay-see-yay) is a multidisciplinary artist from Trinidad and Tobago.
Gesiye said:

This healing offering is a portal, an ode to our island, to its beauty and to our belonging.
Laku Neg (Black Yard in Haitian Kwéyòl) is represented by four artists, three of Trinidadian heritage, who live and work in the UK.
Laku Neg said:

“This ancestral work honours fractured African traditions in Trinidad that feed and underpin our island culture.
Dr Kath Davies, Director of Collections and Research at Amgueddfa Cymru, said:

“This project is the culmination of such positive working between Amgueddfa Cymru and the Sub Sahara Advisory Panel’s Youth Leadership Network and the Amgueddfa Cymru Producers.
We are very grateful to the young people of the SSAP’s Youth Network for giving their time in working with us at the museum, and we’re very proud of the artworks that have now entered the national collection.
Fadhili Maghiya, Director at the Sub Sahara Advisory Panel said:

“For the longest time Picton has been celebrated in Wales, now, for the first-time communities that were historically exploited and abused by the likes of Picton have a reason to celebrate:

“Our stories, told through beautiful and affirmative pieces of art, celebrating our resilience and remembering our heritage and history, our side of the story.
“There might be misconceptions that Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales and the Sub-Sahara Advisory Panel’s Youth Network seek to rewrite history with this project.
Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt said:

“We’ve made it clear that we are committed to creating an anti-racist Wales by 2030, but in order to achieve this objective, we must all think about who we commemorate and how we do so.
Amgueddfa Cymru has worked with a range of stakeholders to update its interpretation of Picton.
We know that this is just the start of what will be a long process, and that we need our communities’ help in creating the Anti-racist we all want to live, and thrive in.
Amgueddfa Cymru belongs to everyone and is here for everyone to use.
Our welcome is free thanks to funding from the Welsh Government and extends to people from all communities.
Play your part in Wales’ story: by visiting, volunteering, by joining, by donating.
This workshop dwelled on the importance of childhood memories and cultural traits in creating a poetic voice.

The write & sip workshop integrated the writer-2-writer mentorship programme of the association coordinate called Writers Space Africa-Cameroon.
Extract by Madaraja artist - Nnane

An extract from the event hosts Fred and Joe Mdamanyi (Madaraja artists)

Our sip and paint event on 21st May, 2022 was so special not only because it was a first-time experience, but because of the amazing results.

More than 27 participants were holding a paint brush and a canvas for the first time, but with some simple guidance from us (hosts/instructors), they produced incredible masterpieces.

Our participants reacted so positively to the idea and can't wait to take part in our next events so badly.

Dear SSAP Member,

You are cordially invited to SSAP's AGM on Wednesday 1st December.
Agenda

Opening Remarks

Word from one of our guest speakers

Apologies

Minutes of Previous Annual General

MeetingAnnual Report

Audited Annual Accounts Report

Election of Accountants 2021-2022

Election of Honorary Officers

Election of Board Members

AOB

Fun Quiz with prizes.

International strategy for Wales

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 05:25:00 +0000