Board of Directors Amal Abbass-Saal Barbara Okoliko Tom Abbass-Saal Mrs. Henrietta Adebanke Olujobi Karen (Amber)Leafe Sangita Doublard Mehrdad Khallaghi Leigh Morgan Patricia Knight

Mrs. Barbara Ojonkola Okoliko A motivated and reliable qualified teacher with 3 years teaching experience in Nigeria, Barbara is married with 3 children. Born and educated in Nigeria she moved to England in 1995 to join her husband. Following her studies in childcare and working with young people, she acquired the skills and knowledge to help young people who lack identity and self-esteem, through both training and work experience. Barbara has a natural empathy with children and currently works for Hastings college crèche. As a member of the Catholic Youth Organisation and rotary club in Nigeria, she liased with the community and church council to highlight the problems and needs of the youth by consultation. This has given her an insight into the needs of the BME community and she has helped reduced isolation by successfully introducing young African refugees to the service of CCDN where they have found friendship and support. Other valuable experiences includes volunteering, mentoring for young people of dual heritage, assisting in a mediation function, minuting meetings, participation on the training “Black perspective in Community Development” and CCDNs GloBang multi generational performing Arts Group. ‘I have really enjoyed some of the projects undertaken by CCDN most especially with GloBang, where we learn to develop drumming techniques, a wide range of rhythms, self knowledge and self-expression. This weekly consistency not only brings joy to many people but is one that is safe, reliable, and helps the community to integrate with one another.”   Back