Rachel Walton is a dedicated and accomplished trainer, specializing in Cultural Awareness, with a wealth of experience working with various professionals and organizations. She has successfully delivered training to esteemed entities such as Probation officers, Colchester City Council, NHS Midwives and Mental Health staff. Her expertise extends to collaborating with the East of England Local Government Association (Strategic Migration Partnership) to provide Cultural Awareness training to professionals.
Rachel’s role as a trainer and community connector has allowed her to form vital links with Black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups and individuals. Her work focuses on capacity building and bridging the gap between underrepresented groups and access to public services and funding streams. She has worked closely with Essex Active on well-being and exercise programs, facilitating connections with 10 community-led organisations in need of funding to run their initiatives.
African Families in the UK(AFiUK) CIC is a Community Interest Company that was formed to support African diaspora families in the UK to get the best outcomes for their children through training and information on Education, Health and Social Care. Our services are also accessed and open to any other migrant families that may need support to understand how to parent and live their family life in a country with differ-ent laws and social systems from those in their country of origin.
On November 14th, 2023, it was announced that AFiUK Colchester and Tendring had received the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (the MBE for Voluntary Groups) in recognition of the volunteering excellence of its Community Ambassadors.
AFiUK was awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of the commitment of our Community Ambassadors – the bedrock of sustainable progress. These dedicated individuals possess a wealth of cultural, local, and religious knowledge, enabling us to reach all corners of uncharted territories within our community.
Professional Experience, Highlights and Distinctions:
- Rachel’s credentials also include contributing an article on cultural diversity to the Acquiring Cultural Competence, Equalities, Successful Safeguarding (ACCESS) booklet and advocating the importance of breastfeeding in the NCT Magazine.
- Rachel is an award-winning author of ‘The Ambassador’ (www.communityambassador.co.uk), Award winner of Wise Women and Best Vendor Awards.
- Through Parenting training and Seminars. AFiUK provides training and information to parents for child protection and safeguarding purposes. Culture, religion and ethnicity are no excuse for child abuse. We discuss parenting styles and practices with an aim to be compliant to UK Family law; and sensitivity to children’s developmental stages and needs.
- Inter-cultural dialogues. AFiUK runs training for professionals and practitioners to help them understand the African diaspora perspective on subjects such as Special Education Needs, Mental Health, FGM, Domestic Abuse, and Sex Education.
- AFRiUK mobilise members of the community to setup activities and events to promote positive cultural practices. Such as self help groups to address issues such as intergenerational relationships through cultural cooking together, play days and celebration of cultural treasures such as art and music. These community events aim to promote positive cultural pride in the children leading to improved self esteem and confidence in their identity as African British.
- Women’s Voices – Confidential, Women Only, Women-led Safe spaces, focusing on Healthy family relationships, Specific safeguarding and financial autonomy.
- Men’s Groupings – virtual men-led spaces, focusing on black men specific pressures in a safe and confidential space.