Our Team
Rachel Walton
Director and Co-Founder
Rachel Walton is a trainer and with a strong background in community development, in 2018 was recognized by the Queen for her notable contribution to her own community. Rachel has been instrumental in forming direct links with BAME groups and individuals. Her work through training, development, capacity building aims to bridge the gap between underrepresented BAME groups and access to public services. Rachel has been actively involved in a number of local initiatives including coordination of well-being/keep-fit activities that were funded by Primary Care Trust (PCT) that reached out Chinese, Nepalese, Bangladeshi and Indian communities and Pathway to Employment for BAME groups. One of the curators in Super Black exhibition at Firstsite on what it means to be Black in England https://firstsite.uk/event/super-black/ & Tell me the Story exhibition https://firstsite.uk/event/tell-me-the-story/ and participated in the Adorn Exhibition at the Colchester Castle Museum. Delivered Cultural Awareness training to professionals through East of England Local Government Association (Strategic Migration Partnership) and contributed an article on cultural diversity in Acquiring Cultural Competence, Equalities, Successful Safeguarding (ACCESS) booklet & importance of breastfeeding NCT Magazine https://babble.nct.org.uk/sites/default/files/resources/Perspective-March-2016_final_0.pdf Involved in developing women & organizations in person-centred way through the Community Ambassadors’ Program in collaboration with Stop the Traffik. Working with Essex Active on well-being/exercise programs as well as introducing them to communities and other numerous projects with other organisations helping to address inequalities. Additionally, initiated a Youth Club which runs every Saturday at the heart of Colchester town The Essex County Youth Service Townhouse this is in partnership with Essex County Council Youth Service.
Rachel holds a degree in Community Development and Psychology, Post Graduate Diploma in Society, Gender & Culture, Level 4 in Information Advice and Guidance and Level 4, an Award in Preparing to Teach in Lifelong Learning Support (PTLLS), Level 2 in Children Mental Health Training, Level 2 in First Aid Mental Health and a certificate in Executive Leadership Course with Oxford University. Rachel is a board member of the Ministry of Parenting and a member of Essex Migrant Agency Forum and has worked extensively with BAME groups on safeguarding, health, and social care as well as having an involvement in a number of initiatives helping to break down barriers and address inequalities.
Jacqui Gitau
Director and Co-Founder
Jacqui is a trainer and is passionate about supporting parents to create warm and safe families where children's emotional and social development is nurtured and fostered. She holds a first degree in Community Family Development and a Masters degree in Childhood Studies. She has also trained in Pre-school practice and Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector, and Parent Education.
She has worked over 10 years in Oxford supporting families in order to maximise children's emotional and psychological well-being and improve academic learning; through outreach work in the families' homes as well as educational settings. She strongly believes in multi-agency working, collaborating with other practitioners in Health, Social Care, and Education sector to reach the best outcomes for the children. She works in a Children's Centre in Oxford and also volunteers to run a Girls' club and coordinate self-help parenting sessions among the Kenyan community in Oxford. She coordinates the activities of AFiUK CIC and is keen to partner with any agencies or companies with a similar vision.
Janet Law
Company Secretary
Janet Law was born in Johannesburg South Africa. She qualified as a Nursery Teacher from the Witwatersrand Teachers Training College, working as a class teacher with children between the ages of 3-6years old. In 1993 she moved to the United Kingdom Since then she has developed and managed a variety of early years education establishments including a Local Authority Family Centre, Community day nurseries, and a Sure Start Children’s Centre. These have been located in cities rich in ethnic diversity and sited in areas of social and economic disadvantage.
The focus of her work has been the support of children and their families, including working with the BME and immigrant communities, and developing creative projects to encourage and facilitate understanding and awareness between communities, thereby promoting integration. She is a passionate believer that the exchange of culture and family experiences engenders inclusion which ultimately will lead to greater awareness and acceptance of our differences, but also establish our common values and beliefs.
Judy Babu
Associate Training Manager
Victoria Oyekunle
Community Ambassador - Tendring
Damaris Japhet
Senior Community Ambassador - Colchester
Joyce McIntyre
Community Ambassador - Colchester
Jasmine Mueller
Adminstration
Dr Sarah Foley
Chief Research Officer
Godwin Daudu
Seconded to Community 360 - Community Builder
Godwin has worked as a Community Ambassador with AFiUK for 2 years and is now being seconded to Community 360, so he can take the knowledge and experience he has gained with AFiUK, supporting ethnic minorities and reducing inequalities to his new role.
"Together Community 360 and AFiUK are providing a multi-agency solution to engaging with and supporting citizens as well as those who are 'hard to reach' and 'seldom heard' communities, through a sustained programme of community engagement, building or maintaining key partnerships and networks which will enable communities to do more for themselves. A community engagement and multi-agency approach will ensure citizens know where to go, have access to a great range of opportunities and have support with expert but efficient resources."
Salim Higah
Seconded to Community 360 - Social Prescriber