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‘Promoting economic and community regeneration’
in Acton, Ealing and surrounding Boroughs

ACTION ACTON is a REGISTERED CHARITY, and VOLUNTARY BODY delivering a wide range of community, economic and business initiatives. The organisation also runs Action Acton Learning Centre, based on the South Acton estate, The Doughnut Factory - business workspace located at Acton Vale Commercial Estate and Acton Market - based in the heart of Acton Town Centre. Action Acton successfully managed an £11 million government funded Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) programme for 4 years until March 2004 when it became a registered charity. ACTION ACTON is based in Crown Street, Acton.

‘To work in partnership with statutory, voluntary, community and private sector agencies to promote economic and community regeneration in Acton and the Borough of Ealing and to help develop Acton as a thriving multi-cultural community, which has a clear identity and sense of belonging, where all residents and businesses are able to benefit from the opportunities arising from its West London location’.

CAN YOU VOLUNTEER TO MENTOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN TROUBLE ?

Local charity and social enterprise Action Acton and  SOVA are running a  free 3 day accredited mentoring training  10am-4.30pm  20-22 September. At least 6 months mentoring commitment with a young person from Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham or Hounslow is required from volunteers.  

Contact Action Acton on 0208 735 4763 or e-mail sherry.sheikh@actionacton.com

Lucky to Live in Britain

I can't believe it's week 8 already! The weeks here go so quickly!

I've been finalizing my feature on refugees and migrants and putting it together as much as I can before I go on holiday next week. I'm in desperate need of some sun, seeing as Britain can't make up its mind as to whether it's summer or monsoon season!

From producing this feature on refugees and migrants; I've realised how lucky we are to live in the UK, from speaking to victims of torture and to asylum seekers who have had to flee war-torn countries, I now
appreciate how safe and civilised Britain is.

Annabelle and I went down to an event in Ealing called: 'Becoming British. Refugees, Citizenship and Experiences of Integration', where workshops were held by the organisation REAP (Refugees in effective& Active Partnership). The most interesting workshop was facilitated by senior ESOL lecturer; Marcin Lewandowski from Action Acton. The group discussed communication, language and culture and their relevance to becoming 'British'. Discussion centred around: "Without communication there is no society, and without language there is no communication... without an understanding of the language, and an appreciation of the diversity of British culture, refugees can hardly expect to become British in any meaningful sense of the word". A friend of mine who works at MRCF arranged for me to interview an asylum seeker called Aissata, she spoke of people she knew that were too scared to leave their houses, for fear that they could not be understood or communicate with people. This goes to show that understanding of the English language in England is common sense and vital! So sadly, cuts to ESOL are going to have a negative impact on many migrants and refugees

Refugees & Migrants: Communication and Integration

ESOL, language, migrants, refugees Refugee week hosted a number of events across the country to celebrate
the positive contributions that refugees make to Britain. An umbrella parade which ended up at the 'Celebrating Sanctuary' event on Southbank kicked off London's Refugee Week celebrations. Umbrellas symbolise protection, therefore organisers felt that an array of colourful umbrellas parading the streets was the best way to convey positivity, and show appreciation for the sanctuary and protection that Britain provides.

Refugee Week focused on the positive side of refugees and migrants being in Britain, and the fact that they contribute a great deal to British society. However, recent cuts to services that support refugees and
migrants have meant that future contributions are under threat and integration will be hindered. Charlene Legg from MRCF spoke of how Britain is one of the best places a refugee can go, "but with the conservative government's new policies and cuts, we need to be careful that they won't stop people from being able to seek sanctuary here".
Cuts to ESOL funding (English for speakers of other languages) have meant that asylum seekers and refugees can not access an English class as easily as before, and this means that thousands of immigrants could miss out on British citizenship. To obtain citizenship, many must take entry-level ESOL and citizenship qualifications, but if ESOL classes are being cut, immigrants will not be able to learn the appropriate skills in order to be granted indefinite leave to remain.

Marcin Lewandowski, senior ESOL lecturer at Action Acton spoke at a recent REAP conference about; communication being vital for new immigrants and refugees: "clearly speaking English in England is imperative, to be able to integrate and not feel isolated are the most important things when you are in a new country". Mr. Lewandowski emphasised that "many parents who have immigrated with their children, need to be able to understand the language and culture of their children, and to be able to communicate with the teachers and schools that are educating them". Quite clearly, language is key when immigrants and refugees wish to 'become British' in every sense of the word. If the government want refugees and migrants to continue making positive
contributions to British society, they need to ensure that they have access to ESOL and access to the support they deserve. Many can't help but feel that these cuts are perhaps part of a bigger plan; to stop so many people from gaining citizenship in Britain; where jobs are already few and far between, and where the welfare system is already struggling.

For more information, go to:
www.refugeecouncil.org.uk
www.reap.og.uk
www.mrcf.org.uk
www.actionactonlearningcentre.co.uk

Here are some interesting facts on refugee contributions: (from:
http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/news/archive/press/2011/june/200611_press_release_Refugee_Week_Fish_and_chips)

1) Fish and chips were brought to the UK by Jewish refugees expelled from Portugal in the 17th century
2) The creator of the Mini, Sir Alec Issigonis, was a Greek refugee who fled from Turkey in 1922
3) Marks and Spencers was co-founded in 1884 by Michael Marks, who came to the UK as a Jewish refugee
4) Around half of the workers who built the Southbank Centre in 1951 were refugees
5) The new British sculpture art scene owes much to Anish Kapoor, son of a refugee from Baghdad
6) Sri Lankan refugee MIA has led the British hip-hop scene. She was nominated for an Academy Award and named in Time Magazine's Top 100 most influential people for her political activism.
7) The history of psychology and psychiatry would be very different without Sigmund Freud, who fled the Third Reich and lived in London until the end of his life
8) Hampton Court was designed by Daniel Marot, who came to Britain after fleeing from France in the late 17th century
9) Richard Rogers, son of a refugee, and Eva Jiricna, a refugee from Czechoslovakia, were both integral in the building of London's Millennium Dome, as well as the Lloyds of London building
10) Both Patak's and Tilda rice were founded by refugees from East

Employment Minister's Praise For Action Acton

Minister's visited Action Acton to praise their work - which will be a key part of a government scheme to get the unemployed back to work. Employment minister Chris Grayling and Lord Freud, minister for welfare reform, launched the Work programme at the charity's job search Centre in Swainson Road, Acton.

click here for full article

Microsoft Digital Learning Assessmet Day March 2011

Samuel and Amir working hard with the support of Action Acton project manager Clarissa Stoneham

The Microsoft Digital Learning Asssessment day was a successful turn out with many young people from the West London Youth Employability Project attending.

CABINET MINISTER AND M.P. CELEBRATE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE MARK AWARD FOR ACTION ACTON

Nick Hurd, Cabinet Minister for Civil Society and Angie Bray M.P. for Ealing/Acton took time off from a meeting at the Cabinet office to congratulate Action Acton for winning this prestigious award for social enterprises. The Social Enterprise Mark is only awarded to those social enterprises that pass a rigorous accreditation procedure.  

John Blackmore Chief Executive of Action Acton said: 

'"Action Acton is delighted to have been awarded the Mark. It demonstrates our commitment to social enterprise and it was very encouraging to hear the Minister and our local M.P. being so supportive of social enterprise initiatives. We believe the Social Enterprise mark award will help us win new contracts for public service delivery in the very near future".

Angie Bray, MP for Ealing/Acton said:
 
'"I have always been very impressed by the professional way that Action Acton goes about its important work in the community.  This is a very well deserved award and I am sure that it will drive them on to further future achievement.  Well done Action Acton!"

Quality marks granted to Action Acton:

Our partners and funders include:

News

My Acton...

Juli Worms a Stallholder at Acton Market has featured on a news article on the Acton W3 website

click here to view all...

Free English courses for refugee women

We offer free English courses here at Action Acton Learning Centre for Refugee women starting in May and continuimg throughout the year!for more details view poster

You can also visit the learning centre website to find out more about our coures learning centre

Action Acton Feature on TV Show What's Up

On Monday 21st March 2011 Action Acton’s Project Manager Clarissa Stoneham was featured on What’s Up TV aired on Sky 3 now known as Pick TV.  During the interview Clarissa raised awareness of the West London Youth Employability Project including YOCC (Young Offenders in Custody and the Community).
The West London Youth Employability Project provide services across three West London boroughs, Ealing, Hounslow, Hammersmith and Fulham.

check out the news page to watch the video!

Brand New Food Coop Video...

Community Fruit & Veg Co-Op every Wednesday & Friday

Action Acton provide a fresh fruit & Veg CO-Op every Wednesday & Friday... So why not take a look at what's on offer by clicking the news page and watching the video!!

Small Charity Week

20th-24th June 2011

Small Charity Week 2011 kicks off with I ♥ Small Charities Day aimed at giving the public the chance to learn more about and engage with the small charities working in their area.You will have a chance to attend events and promote your charity, gain advice from expert entrepreneurs, charity executives and commercial mentors and as well as celebrating the small charity sector, Small Charity Week also offers charities the chance to raise some additional funds to support your work.

click here to view the Small Charity Week website and show your support! it has lot's of information for you and your local charity!

Employment Minister's Praise For Action Acton

Minister's visited Action Acton to praise their work - which will be a key part of a government scheme to get the unemployed back to work. Employment minister Chris Grayling and Lord Freud, minister for welfare reform, launched the Work programme at the charity's job search Centre in Swainson Road, Acton.

click here for full article

Please view the following links below to other news articles on this topic

Ingeus article

Ingeus named a preferred bidder to deliver seven Work Programme contracts

click here

DWP: Departments for Work and Pensions article

01 April 2011 – Massive boost for the Big Society as almost 300 voluntary sector organisations named as part of the Work Programme. Launching the Work Programme at a visit to Action Acton, a West London charity named as one of the successful sub contractors, Chris Grayling said...

click here

Free English courses for refugee's

We offer free English courses here at Action Acton Learning Centre for Refugee women starting in May and continuimg throughout the year!

click this link to find out more about the courses and our Learning Centre

Action Acton Feature on TV Show What's Up Coming Soon!!

On Monday 21st March 2011 Action Acton’s Project Manager Clarissa Stoneham was featured on What’s Up TV aired on Sky 3 now known as Pick TV.  During the interview Clarissa raised awareness of the West London Youth Employability Project including YOCC (Young Offenders in Custody and the Community).
The West London Youth Employability Project provide services across three West London boroughs, Ealing, Hounslow, Hammersmith and Fulham.

Microsoft Digital Learning Assessment Day March 2011

The Microsoft Digital Learning Asssessment day was a successful turn out with many young people from the West London Youth Employability Project attending.

click here to view photo's of the big event

Former Young Offender Up For Pride Award

An ex-offender, who has won a Mayor of London award for turning his life around, has been put forward for a Pride in our People award

click here

WINDOWS TO WORK...

A Digital Youth Employability Project For 16-24 Year Olds

To register your interest please click the link below

Self referral form

Organisation referral form

you can email your completed form to clarissa.stoneham@actionacton.com

Also Check Out Our Facebook Page!!

click here

Bedfont Youngster Joins Dagenham & Redbridge

Teenage star Jon-Jo Bates has jumped five divisions by signing for Dagenham & Redbridge from Bedfont Town. The 19-year-old winger/striker penned an 18-month deal with the Daggers

Click here to see full article

A Youtube hit shows off talents of emerging urban artist from South Acton

19-year old Kabiru 'Swingerz' Gbolahan latest video is a moving tribute to his close friend Craig Marshall, who lost his life to knife crime in October 2008.

click here

West London Youth Employability Project

Please take a look at our young people percentages

click here

ESF At Work
Investing in Jobs and Skills

Read about winners at the recent London ESF Awards. click here

London celebrates ESF award winners

On Monday 8 November 2010, the second annual ESF Awards was celebrated at City Hall. Seven awards were presented, four of which Mayor of London Boris Johnson presented. click here

Action Acton wins employment award

Local charity Action Acton has won a prestigious award for running the best employment project in London.

click here

Community Fruit & Veg Co-Op every Wednesday & Friday

Action Acton will be providing a fruit & Veg CO-Op every Friday 8am-1pm.
view poster

Action Acton do well at the ESF awards

A young offender from Ealing has been presented with a learning award by the London Mayor.

Lukas Kondrativicus has been involved with Action Acton through the 'Young Offenders in Custody and the Community' (YOCC)

click here to see full article on the actonw3.com website.

Action Acton helps Ealing Residents to perform their personal best!

"It was thrilling to see so many people receive certificates for a programme which has made a real  difference to their future prospects."

Those that took part in the Personal Best project celebrated their graduation on the 27th of October,

click here to read a full description of the day.

Young Offender's Project Featured in Local Press!

"as the job market contracts under the weight of the credit crunch one group of people find it tougher to find work than most."

to read the full article click here.

Acton Market Featured in Jellied Eel Magazine.

Acton Market has been featured in London's ethical eating Magazine, Jellied Eel. The Fruit and Veg Stall and Mr Singh's Express Curry were featured in the magazine for their fresh and organic produce. Did you kow that Mr Singh uses vegtables from his own allotment in his delicious recipes? to find out more

click here..

Acton Business Forum -
Helping you to help your business

Acton Business Forum is the voice
of businesses – from sole traders to substantial firms – in the Acton W3 area of London.

The ABF:
1 Provides opportunities for its members
to network and develop
2 Speaks for business in Acton in relation
to local and central government and other bodies and agencies
3 Takes an active part in planning Acton’s regeneration.

For further information about the ABF visit www.actonbusinessforum.net

Action Acton - Company Registration No. 3647635 Charity Reg No. 1101111