Voluntary group recognised with award as it celebrates its 25th anniversary

The Acton based Descendants charity has been recognised with a Queen's Award - the highest accolade for a voluntary group.

The group has also launched its book 'Descendants: Our Roots, Our Story, Our Legacy' to coincide with Windrush Day, celebrating the achievements of the British Caribbean and African diaspora.

Formed in 1993 in the aftermath of Stephen Lawrence’s brutal murder Descendants was founded by Acton mum and now grandmother Margaret Noel aiming to bring people together and create an environment where young people, primarily but not exclusively of African and Caribbean descent, could learn together to appreciate each other’s cultures and traditions.

A quarter century later the group is still growing strong providing weekly educational and inspirational classes, holiday projects and an annual achievements awards.

The Mayor of Ealing Dr  Abdullah Gulaid himself of African/ Somali origin, contributors to the book, volunteers old and young gathered at the brand new Bollo Bridge Youth Centre to toast the multi-authored volume which contains a collection of reflections on living in the UK as the descendant of an immigrant, all sales will be used to fund the community activities run by the art-orientated youth organisation.

Chapter authors include David Lammy MP, Kwame Kwei-Armah - the current Artistic Director of the Young Vic, former Cabinet Minister Lord Paul Boateng, and Ealing Central and Acton MP Rupa Huq who used her own contribution to reflect on the need for greater diversity in Parliament and the increasing tension between communities caused by the Government’s controversial ‘hostile environment’ policy.

Rupa Huq said, ‘It was a privilege to be asked to take part; this book has an important message that is becoming more relevant by the day. Diversity is something to be celebrated and we should all be proud of the incredible contributions the children of immigrants have made to our society’. The book launch continues a busy and successful few weeks for the charity - just this month they received a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. Huq praised the decision to honour Descendants, commenting ‘I’m delighted to see Descendants’ vibrant artistic and educational work recognizing by her majesty in The Queen’s Award, so richly deserved for the invaluable work Margaret and her team do in our community’. 

2 July 2019