Diversity House was formally opened on the 16th of May 2007 with an office in Phoenix House, Central Avenue, Sittingbourne. A charitable organisation providing both community and prison-based services for diverse communities across Kent. The charity aims to promote community integration, re-integration, social inclusion and cohesion within the Swale and Kent communities. It is our belief that individuals, regardless of their race, ethnicity, age, gender etcetera, should be treated with dignity, respect and adequate opportunities to access services within the community. The charity offers a holistic and person-centred package of care and support for our service-users on issues such as debt management, housing, employment, education, health, and business opportunities. We also run special interest groups, projects, lectures and symposia aimed at informing, educating, inspiring and challenging people in Kent into self-reliance and self-actualisation.
SWEW is a group of totally committed women of all ages eager to promote a positive image of women in Swale and Kent through information and knowledge sharing, equality and diversity, understanding, respect, reaching out, sharing support and advice and socialising. SWEW aims to help disadvantaged women to tackle isolation, improve their life chances by providing opportunities for enterprise, self-employment, employability, new skills, community participation and improved lifestyle choices. We welcome anyone who is interestred in; discussing shared concerns, developing leadership skills, and gaining entrepreneurial knowledge which will enhance your employability skills. It aims to make sure that you have all the confidence, skills and information that you need to achieve your aspirations.
We are part of the UN global compact. "We are pleased to confirm that Diversity House Limited supports the ten principles of the UN Global Compact with respect to human right, labour, environment, and anti-corruption. With this commitment, we express our intent to advance these principles within our sphere of influence and will make a clear statement of this commitment of our stakeholders and the general public. We also pledge to take part in the activities of the UN Global Compact where appropriate and feasible – through for instance participation in Country/Local Networks involvement in specialised initiatives and work streams; engagement in partnership projects; and reviewing and providing commentary to participating companies on their communications on progress." - Christine Locke (Chair and project lead.)
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Management, Trustees and Staff Members of Diversity House are pleased to inform you that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on
Thursday 20th July 2017 at 4pm – 7pm
at Swale Community and Voluntary Services (CVS), Central House, Central Avenue, Sittingbourne, ME10 4NU.
All partner organisations and members are very welcome.
For further information, please contact:
Neema Kambona,
Project Worker,
Diversity House,
01795 420455,
info@diversityhouse.org.uk
All Speakers at the 2nd June Conference; ‘WW1 & Africa ; Legacies of Conflicts’ with Christine Locke, Diversity House CEO (3rd from right) and Rosemary Dymond , Diversity House Patron (next on the left) and Deputy Mayor of Swale, Cllr Samuel Koffie-Williams (centre).
Swale Borough Council in Sittingbourne came alive to the cries of the forgotten heroes – men, women and children from Africa who sacrificed their lives and experienced so many decades of instability as a result of their involvement in the First World War.
In a Conference recognising the great contribution of Africa and the impact of that war on ordinary Africans a century later, entitled: ‘WW1 and Africa: Legacies of Conflicts’ hosted by Diversity House in Sittingbourne on 2nd June, delegates from all over the world gained first-hand insights on the topic and the extent to which the repercussions of the war are still adversely affecting the continent today.
The Deputy Mayor of Swale, Councillor Samuel Koffie-Williams set the tone in his opening remarks when he noted that it was actually an African service man who fired the first shot in the earliest days of the war and that reverberations of that first shot are still being felt today throughout the continent.
Meanwhile Speaker, Dr George Njung from Michigan University demonstrated how his native Cameroon had been turned upside down and experienced years of political conflict and instability as a direct result of the war in 1914, creating a minority Anglophone problem and huge challenges to the ensuing process of nation building.
History Teacher and PhD candidate with Birkbeck College, John Siblon revealed how his extensive research on war memorials built after 1914 throughout UK showed how successive British governments had intentionally excluded the memory of African servicemen even though the memory of servicemen and women from the dominions were included.
It was left to Bishop Nigel McCulloch from the Royal British Legion to admit in his presentation that commemoration ceremonies by Britain had been neglectful and dismissive of the African contribution and pledged to reverse the practice in years to come. He gave a big ‘Thank you’ to all those Africans who had been ignored by successive commemoration services.
Much needed light relief and entertainment was provided by Soulamayne Compo and Wantunara Dance Ensemble at intervals. Participants were encouraged to dance and celebrate the memory of African servicemen and the one million men, women, children included as ordinary civilians who died as a result of the war. Even the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Malcolm Greer threw all formalities out of the window when he joined the dancing and tried his hand at drumming.
Mrs Christine Locke, CEO of Diversity House summed up the mood of the conference perfectly when she gave her closing remarks. She reminded the audience that “the Breaking the Myths project was not about recrimination but about giving a balanced and inclusive history of WW1 so that our young people can feel a sense of belonging and pride that their ancestors played their part and made sacrifices for the freedoms we enjoy today.”
Finally, Kat Francois, a performance poet, tasked with the role of rounding up the conference gave a resounding performance of the poem she had just created, “Remember Me” which resonated with the audience so much so they gave her a standing ovation and left the conference on a high note. It was a perfect way to conclude the discussions and reflections of the day.
Pupils if St Michael’s School in Maidstone receive a guided tour
The sun shone brilliantly on the beautifully manicured lawns of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) in Maidenhead on Thursday 15 June when the students from St Michaels School in Maidstone paid a visit as part of their school project with Diversity House to ‘break the myths’ about the involvement of Africans in WW1.
It turned out to be the best history lesson for the students who learnt about 5000 memorials built to commemorate everyone who died in both World Wars whether known or unknown. The children were engrossed and found out about the stories behind the names engraved on the headstones. One boy asked about the youngest person buried at the grounds and was touched to learn it was a 15 year old South African boy not that much older than him who had given his life so early.
Others asked about the designs and beautiful landscaping which evoke an air of peace and tranquillity throughout the grounds.
Volunteer Guide, Eugenia Brooks and Archives Manager, Andrew Fetherstone gave expert commentary and explained that 23,000 locations in 154 countries are all maintained in the same way costing 63 million each year.
Students passed through the US section where the memory of American heroes are still maintained by the US authorities and marked by the tallest edifice.
A cluster of Muslim graves are built facing the East as a mark of respect to their faith. South African graves raised the memory of the SS Mendi and all the African servicemen who died in appalling circumstances aboard the ship.
Commemoration of Jewish, Polish, Czechoslovakian and even German service men were included and given equal attention which chimed well with Diversity House mission to paint a more inclusive picture of all those involved in the war. Mrs Christine Locke, Diversity House, Founder and CEO was shown a photo of the construction of the CWGC in Abuja, Nigeria and assured that the Commission is making an effort to recognise the ‘retrospective ‘contribution of West Africans.
The End of the day was marked by the touching ‘act of remembrance’ by all those involved in the trip when they were asked to pick a name of a fallen hero and lay a flower in his name, saying in unison, “We Remember You”. As the sun lessened its glare marking the passing time, the teachers, students of St Michael’s School and members of Diversity House pledged never to forget the stories of the servicemen and women at the cemetery and the lessons of their school trip to CWGC.
