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.
Founded in 2015, African Families in the UK(AFiUK) CIC was founded after it was identified that there were barriers that prevented the diaspora community in fully participating in making the most of their lives. AFIUK is dedicated to addressing key societal challenges in the areas of health, wellbeing, children, young people, parenting, and cultural awareness. Through targeted initiatives, we aim to bridge the gap on various fronts, including food security, digital divide, and other inequalities prevalent in health and education.
AFiUK CIC primarily exists to serve the interests of British African diaspora and other racially minoritised families, particularly first and second generation migrant families where the children are navigating a ‘third culture’ between their parents’ first culture and the host country as a second culture. AFiUK is one-stop place for families of African and other ethnic minority origin, resident in the UK, seeking advice or information, on matters relating to parenting, children’s education and any family-friendly activities that enrich family.
The vision of AFiUK CIC is to equip African and other ethnic minority families in the UK to take their rightful place as fruitful members of our society, and to make the most of the available opportunities in their adopted country without adversely affecting the strong family and community networks that Africans are known for.
To remain one-stop place for families of African and other ethnic minority origin.
AFiUK CIC acknowledges that as parents and practitioners, we need to adapt the way we interact and relate to the children in our care, to help them reach their highest potential. We offer training and support to help parents adapt their parenting styles, as well as collaborations with practitioners in the wider community, to ensure that our partner families are served with cultural sensitivity and relevance.
Through Parenting training and Seminars. We provide 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. We run 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.
We 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.
We have 4 banners under which we work
-WOMEN’S VOICES – Confidential, Women Only, Women-led Safe spaces, focusing on Healthy family relationships, Specific safeguarding and financial autonomy.
-MEN GROUPINGS – virtual men-led spaces, focusing on black men specific pressures in a safe and confidential space.