Ahead of Mandela Day this coming Saturday, Liverpool charity, Mandela8 have announced Dawn Butler, MP for Brent Central, as their newest patron.
The first ever elected African-Caribbean woman to become a Government Minister in the UK, Dawn ran a hugely successful campaign in 2015, winning her vote with a majority of nearly 20,000; giving the largest vote swing in England at the time.
The former Shadow Minister for Women & Equalities has twice been awarded by the Patchwork Foundation as the People’s Choice Labour Party MP of the Year and again as Overall MP of the Year. Dawn is a member of the House of Commons Science & Technology Select Committee, Chair of the APPG for Jamaica and APPG for Governance & Inclusive Leadership. Dawn was previously appointed as the Minister for Young Citizens & Youth Engagement at the Cabinet Office by Prime Minister Gordon Brown becoming the first ever African-Caribbean woman to serve as a Government Minister.
The announcement comes as Mandela8 – the organisation behind the new Nelson Mandela memorial in Princes Park, which will also feature an outdoor classroom – are marking ‘Mandela Week’ this year with their annual ‘My 67 Minutes’ campaign (sponsored by Torus Foundation, Platinum Sponsors for the previously scheduled visit from the Mandela Family), which aims to bring people together through acts of kindness and community cohesion.
Last year’s programme reached over 230,000 young people across the Liverpool City Region, Chester and Warrington with hundreds of volunteer hours being recorded across communities in the North West.
The charity is also in its final week of crowdfunding to support the city’s most vulnerable during lockdown with food parcels, hygiene packs and art activities for young children.
Dawn said:
“It is an honour to become a Patron of Mandela8 and to work with them to create a lasting memorial to the legendary Nelson Mandela in Liverpool. Mandela inspired me, just as he inspired so many around the world after spending 27 years in prison so that black people can have equal rights and votes and to end the brutal apartheid regime. It is upon his shoulders on which I stand. I hope that this memorial and Mandela’s story serves to inspire a new generation to campaign against racial injustice in the UK and beyond in the fight for equality and equity.”
Chair of Mandela8, Sonia Bassey said:
“Dawn is a Windrush child, as many in our communities are, and she has worked hard from a young age to achieve what she has in Parliament and she has a deep rooted commitment to challenging inequality. I’m delighted that the first Black woman to speak from the dispatch box and the first ever elected African Caribbean women to serve in Cabinet has agreed to become a patron for Mandela8. We cant wait to welcome her back to Liverpool”.
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First elected African-Caribbean female Government Minister becomes Mandela8 PatronDr Maki Mandela, daughter of Nelson Mandela, sends Mandela8 a message for Mandela Week 2020 and this year’s #My67Minutes campaign.
Find out more about this year’s Campaign here: https://www.mandela8.org.uk/mandela-week-2020/
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First elected African-Caribbean female Government Minister becomes Mandela8 PatronMandela8 are delighted to announce Kim Johnson, MP for Riverside, as our newest patron.
Kim, Liverpool’s first Black MP, was born and grew up in Liverpool 8 and still lives in her constituency. Becoming politically active as a teenager, attending rallies and demonstrations, fighting racism and fascism, Kim is a lifelong trade unionist committed to fighting for social justice for all her constituents.
Kim said: “I am honoured to have been asked to become a Patron of Mandela 8, and delighted to accept. Nelson Mandela and his battle for freedom and justice was hugely significant to the Toxteth community especially.
Commemorating his legacy by providing educational and leadership opportunities to future generations embodies the spirit of the anti-apartheid movement and I am proud to join with them in making dreams a reality.”
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First elected African-Caribbean female Government Minister becomes Mandela8 PatronDONATE HERE:
https://www.spacehive.com/covid-19-community-support
The Liverpool charity behind the new Nelson Mandela memorial in Princes Park have launched a crowdfunder to provide emergency food and hygiene parcels to the most vulnerable and elderly in our communities.
Mandela8 have begun co-ordination of the project with Granby Toxteth Development Trust to ensure volunteers will be delivering parcels to those in desperate need for support during the ongoing pandemic, particularly families and individuals from refugee and migrant communities.
Chair of Mandela8, Sonia Bassey said “We’ve had a great response to the project so far but we need the support of the people of Liverpool to make sure we reach as many people as possible.
The deliveries themselves will be at no cost to the project as it is a time of need and we want all resources to go into the food and hygiene parcels”
As well as the food and hygiene packs, creative art packs will also be provided to young people in families that are supported.
The charity aims to deliver an initial 1,000 packs to those aged over 70 and with underlying health problems with another 3,600 people being identified as vulnerable and needing support.
“The Council are busy organising services to make sure the vulnerable are catered for but they can’t do this alone and need community and voluntary sector support”, continued Sonia.
An estimated 55,000 Liverpool families have been hit by a wave of government cutbacks to benefits and local services in recent years and child poverty has continued to rise since 2015.
The funds raised by Mandela8 would ensure pressure is lifted from staff already stretched in local authority services, build morale and add valuable resources to support our most vulnerable during isolation.
Anyone wanting to donate to the crowdfunder can do so via the project’s page on Spacehive here: https://www.spacehive.com/covid-19-community-support
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First elected African-Caribbean female Government Minister becomes Mandela8 PatronMandela8 Community Heritage Project Manager
£22,500 (90 days @ £250)
12 month fixed term
We are seeking to appoint a freelance individual or organisation to undertake a major piece of work, uncovering and revealing key elements of Liverpool 8’s community heritage with a particular focus on activism during the years of the anti-apartheid struggles and on local people’s connections to with Grade 2 listed Princes Park.
The successful candidate will work closely with individuals, schools, youth and community groups, housing and faith groups, cultural organisations and National Museums Liverpool and our Young Media Group Project Manager when appointed to develop and disseminate stories of heritage, legacy and education.
We are looking for someone who is friendly and approachable, self-motivated and productive and able to demonstrate they have an appreciation of the culture and heritage of Liverpool 8 and a commitment to ensuring community voices are heard.
Please email all applications to mandelaliverpool8@gmail.com
Deadline for applications: 8th May 2020
Download the Brief and more information on the ‘Download’ link below
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First elected African-Caribbean female Government Minister becomes Mandela8 PatronA message from our Chair, Sonia Bassey, MBE:
Following recent advice and direction by Government regarding Covid-19 that large gatherings should not take place and recent school, university and public venue closures, we have taken the decision to postpone Mandela Week and the Mandela family visit.
In agreement with Dr Maki and Tukwini Mandela and our partners and sponsors we will be organizing the visit to take place during July 2021, government guidelines permitting.
All our efforts at this time should be directed at our vulnerable and elderly in society and our health and emergency services.
Our programme for the visit included all schools across the Liverpool City Region, a range of public events across Cheshire and Merseyside and two major celebration events so understandably these cannot take place at this time.
Dr Maki and Tukwini Mandela said: “We are sorry we cannot be with you in July this year. It is important that we take all our Governments advice seriously and stay safe. We look forward to being with you all next year in Liverpool and you have a heartfelt and sincerest best wishes for you and your families during this difficult time”.
Your health and wellbeing remain our greatest priority and Mandela8 are currently revising a range of activities we are committed to so that people can still take part via social media or digital solutions. These include our Roots and Wings Young Leaders Programme and our National Heritage Lottery Fund Memorial and Legacy Programme.
We would like to thank you, our sponsors and funders for your ongoing support and want you to stay safe and look out for each other.
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First elected African-Caribbean female Government Minister becomes Mandela8 PatronMandela8 are delighted to have been awarded £95k from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to establish and deliver a major oral history programme ensuring the history and stories of community activists in Toxteth and their first-hand memories of anti-apartheid struggles are told.
The project will record the memories of Princes Park, collect photos and memorabilia and deliver a range of engagement activities with people of all ages to ensure we have a long lasting digital educational resource for many years to come.
The project will create employment opportunities and develop 15 heritage research volunteers with support and training from National Museums Liverpool. 15 young people will also be provided with digital skills training to support recording of heritage stories.
Sonia Bassey, MBE Mandela8 Chair said: “We are excited to get started with this project that will leave a lasting legacy for our community so they continue to know the valuable contribution activists in communities made to society and social justice long after we are gone”.
“We are delighted with the additional funding secured for the engagement programme for the Nelson Mandela memorial. It will be a truly inclusive centrepiece of the park, ensuring his legacy, values and ideals are formally marked, promoting social and racial understanding, tolerance and tackling issues around cultural diversity.”
David Renwick, Director of England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Communities are at the heart of the projects we invest in, and we are proud to be supporting Mandela8 in their project to remember and record important stories of anti-apartheid struggles. The project not only ensures that these memories will be safeguarded, but also share them with the next generation of the community.”
Heather Ring, Director, Wayward said: “Wayward is deeply honoured to be selected to design the Nelson Mandela Memorial, Liverpool. This important remembrance is for future generations to discover how the men and women in the great City of Liverpool stood with Nelson Mandela throughout his struggle to end apartheid and heal a fractured nation. The design of the memorial reflects upon the gardens Mandela tended to while incarcerated, notably in oil drums at Pollsmoor Prison, which stood as symbols of resistance, tools for resilience, spaces for reflection and platforms for community.”
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First elected African-Caribbean female Government Minister becomes Mandela8 PatronToday is the anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s passing and as we remember Mandela’s life and achievements it is a fitting time to announce that Mandela8 and Taking Shape we will be running an innovative programme for young people in the New Year and we are delighted to have MSB Solicitors onboard and support of our local councillors in Princes Park ward, Liverpool8.
The programme is designed for young people who lack positive opportunity and are at risk of or are experiencing violent crime or exploitation. They may also be disengaged from school and at risk of exclusion or permanently excluded from school and socially and economically excluded in their communities.
The programme will include restorative justice practices and aims to find enduring solutions to prevent young people from becoming involved in crime and violence and will support them to recognise consequences, understand cause and effect, reduce naivety and increase their resilience and strength to not get involved. It will also support cultural change around the acceptability of certain behaviours and activities and how to prevent succumbing to peer pressure to support them to develop them into young leaders of the future.
Sonia Bassey Mandela8 Chair said: “Mandela8 will always focus on community needs and it is now more than ever we need to support and nurture young people in our communities and create opportunities for them to thrive.”
Kev Stuart Founding Member and Director of Taking Shape said: “Working with young people is at the heart of what we do and it is critical to ensure they have the right support and opportunities. We are excited to be working with Mandela8 to support young people in their communities and to bring our experience with us.”
Emma Carey, Managing Partner at MSB said: “Promotion of social mobility is a key issue for us at MSB. We recognise that we have an obligation to ensure we have a future profession that is representative of the community we serve. Equality is about recognising that not all people are equal and taking positive steps to make real changes. That’s why we are so proud to be part of this initiative, which is having a real and positive impact.”
Joanne Anderson and Tom Logan, Princes Park Ward Councillors said: “Having seen sight of the work Mandela8 and Taking Shape are doing in this area we are excited for them to start this work in our area. Programmes like this will provide guidance and support to young people who are often marginalised and prevented from gaining opportunity.”
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First elected African-Caribbean female Government Minister becomes Mandela8 Patron2020 will comprise of a special visit by the Mandela family to Liverpool to celebrate a week of activities to mark what would have been Nelson Mandela’s 101st birthday.
The visit will coincide with the official opening of the Mandela8 Nelson Mandela Memorial in
Prince’s Park, Liverpool 8, and the celebration of Mandela Day, which charitable organization Mandela8 will celebrate as part of a week-long series of events and celebrations.
Mandela8’s initial vision is to see a permanent memorial that functions as a unique performance, conversation and contemplation space established in Prince’s Park to celebrate, commemorate and pursue the legacy of Nelson Mandela’s outstanding achievements for humanity.
The memorial will also be a focal point and catalyst for community development and cohesion through a series of creative commissions and collaborations with widespread community and educational engagement and participation.
Dr Makaziwe (Maki) Mandela and Tukwini Mandela, Nelson Mandela’s daughter and granddaughter, took part in an official three-day visit to Liverpool in February this year to commemorate the 29-year anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison at a reception hosted by the city, and to officially mark the start the works on site for the memorial.
The idea of Mandela Day is that everyone has the ability to make an impact and do something in their own way to change the world and the world of those around them.
July 18 is Nelson Mandela International Day, now more widely known as Mandela Day, and was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, to acknowledge his values and dedication to the service of humanity and struggle for international democracy and peace throughout the world.
The day remembers Mandela’s achievements in working towards conflict resolution, democracy, human rights, peace and reconciliation. ‘Madiba’, as Nelson Mandela was fondly known, was one of South Africa’s greatest heroes.
Not only is he loved and respected as one of the greatest leaders in South Africa, he is also admired and respected around the world.
Liverpool has its own special relationship and connection with Nelson Mandela.
When Liverpool became aware of apartheid and Mandela’s incarceration, community activists, unions and the city came together to support the Free Nelson Mandela Campaign, and took a solid stance against apartheid.
Liverpool is built on strong political and social values and has experienced oppression, but not on the scale of South Africa.
So when awareness of the brutality of apartheid in South Africa became known in Liverpool, the city united to support Mandela, the ANC and South African people.
Mandela was gifted the freedom of the city in 1994 and a civic reception was held there in his honour 20 years later.
Mandela’s fight for justice began in 1942, and for 67 tireless years, he continued to fight for social justice and human rights.
The Mandela Week programme is designed to enable individuals and groups to give 67 minutes of their day – one minute for every year – to help someone else, ideally on Mandela Day or in that week.
Dr Maki Mandela said: “What good deed are you going to do today for someone that will make their life better?”
Words by Rodney Hinds, published in The Voice (Dec, 2019)
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First elected African-Caribbean female Government Minister becomes Mandela8 PatronWe are delighted to announce that Mandela8 were the recipients of the Impact Award for Improving Community Cohesion at the inaugural Liverpool City Region Culture & Creativity Awards.
The awards, launched by the Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, were created to celebrate outstanding contributions and commitment to art, culture and creativity across Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral.
The ceremony for the inaugural Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards took place at the Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight, Wirral – this year’s City Region Borough of Culture.
The ceremony was hosted by award-winning actor, screenwriter and BAFTA Cymru winner Celyn Jones, and there were 12 categories including the People’s Choice Award, voted for by the public, and the Inspiration Award for Lifetime Achievement.
A panel of judges including Alastair Machray, editor-in-chief at the Liverpool Echo, Michelle Charters, CEO at the Kuumba Imani Centre and Phil Redmond, chair of the culture partnership, chose the finalists.
Mandela8 would like to say a huge thank you to the organisers, sponsors and everyone involved in the awards, and send many congratulations to the fellow nominees and winners.
Sonia Bassey, Mandela8 Chair said: “In a world where we see rising hate and division and opportunity for the few not the many, Mandela8 brings love, unity and hope for the future, and we are delighted to have won this significant award which gives significant recognition to the work we have done and continue to do in communities.”
For the full list of nominees and winners, check out the Business Live article here:
https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/full-list-liverpool-city-region-17335537
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