Over 100 women have gained qualifications with Asha Neighbourhood Project this year and the Lord Mayor of Leeds was on hand to award the certificates.
The Lord Mayor, Cllr Jane Dowson was attending the Beeston charity’s 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday 12 December 2017. Addressing the meeting she said:
“Asha is an organisation that weaves communities together, thank you for all you do for Leeds and the local community.”
Asha operate a range of services from their Stratford Street base including advice, advocacy and support; education; children’s activities and pre-school. They are also involved in a number of partnerships including the Better Together service with Health For All and Hamara; and the Women’s Lives Leeds project in which Asha is one of eleven partners across the city.
Courses at Asha include English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), sewing, cooking, computers, childcare, supporting teaching a learning.
Cllr Mohammed Iqbal echoed the Lord Mayor’s words and added:
“For those who English is a second language it’s very easy to get isolated and stuck at home. Having somewhere like Asha to go is so important, it empowers women and improves their health.”
Afia Khattun, Chair of Asha commented:
“I’m delighted that our pre-school was rated Good by Ofsted this year. Childcare is often a barrier to women accessing training and education.
“Thank you to all our partners, funders and members – you are all helping us to continue enriching our community.”
