Grants given to welcome and empower multicultural groups in Letchworth

Two community groups have been awarded a total of £3,404 following a meeting of the Letchworth Committee.

Hong Kong Connect, an umbrella organisation of the North Hertfordshire Minority Ethnic Forum, was granted £1,980 towards their English language course. Language is the biggest barrier for the many new Hong Kong citizens who have settled in Letchworth and the surrounding area. The money will help fund a tutor to help approximately 50 people learn English and help them integrate into the community. 

Mohammed Alam, Director of North Hertfordshire Minority Ethnic Forum, said: "We are absolutely delighted with this great news!

"This will enable us to run weekly language classes for the newly migrant Hongkong people through qualified tutors. This grant will also help us in our capacity building to become an established community organisation and provide a focal point to the new Chinese communities who would like to move and settle in Letchworth."

North Herts African and Caribbean Community was granted £1,424 to help fund a year of free and subsidised events and activities for the whole community to learn about African and Caribbean history and culture, and empower those of Afro-Caribbean heritage to have a voice within local decision-making.

Events planned include a Windrush arts and crafts week whereby children and young people will help create an art installation in honour of the HMT Empire Windrush, 'Mind your Black', a mental health creative writing and mindfulness programme focused on discussing the effects of racial discrimination, and celebration and research events designed to bring people from different cultures together. The group was also granted the same amount (£1,424) recently from the Hitchin Committee (8 December).

Kava Johnson, Managing Director of North Herts African and Caribbean Community, said: "We are so grateful and very happy."