At the beginning of January, thanks to funding provided by The National Lottery Community Fund Wales, ACE was able to take on two Community Development Officers – Noward Omar and Sabina Islam – to help us better connect with and support the communities of Butetown and Grangetown. In the second part of a series of regular blogs from our new team we hear from Sabina about her first few weeks in post. You can contact her at sabina.islam@acecardiff.org.uk.
Since starting my new role as a Community Development Officer in January 2023, I have been given the opportunity of meeting and liaising with various partners and other community organisations. I have also been interacting with parents and the community as a whole. There is so much knowledge we can attain by interaction and networking. Coming from a teaching and interpreting profession, I have adapted my communication style to different audiences and scenarios during my career.
My role also requires me to work with Adults of English learners in Grangetown and Butetown and regularly take part in Cardiff volunteer coordinators network meetings by the Cardiff Third Sector Council (C3SC). I am also active within the community projects and activities. Amongst many organisations I have a good connection with a organiser of South Riverside Community Development Centre (SRCDC), an organisation helping communities improve their quality of life, alleviating hardship and promoting inclusion. I remember when I first spoke to the organiser she was so impressed by what ACE Cardiff does that she said if future opportunities arise ‘we could work together and have a strength based approach’.
It’s wonderful to know working together brings many benefits to the community. This new role is a diverse experience, making me a better employee in executive support. I myself have a young family and over the half term they too took part in the children’s activities offered by ACE Cardiff at Butetown Pavilion and Grangetown Hub which we worked hard to advertise by giving out leaflets in organisations, door to door and through social media.
The turnout was surprisingly popular. It was a successful series of events. I was pleased to see so many of the English learners I work with came along with their family. My children who also took part expressed how much they enjoyed the sessions and that they couldn’t wait for another session. So from a personal and a professional level, getting this response is pleasing as you know you and your organisation have made a difference.
I’m delighted with the opportunities available to me in my new role, it is rewarding and there is nothing more satisfying in life than helping others. I am grateful to the supportive management team for giving me this role and looking forward to many more explorations.
