Joseph Jeffers, CEO
With twenty years of management experience in the charity sector, Joseph has a range of skills spanning staff and volunteer training and supervision, governance, monitoring and evaluation and community consultation. He has delivered large-scale projects with budgets of £725.000. He is a Board member for Crystal Palace Football Club, leading on equality and diversity, and a Kings Fund Leadership programme board member.
Joseph brings his love of dance and the arts into the programmes at A.S.K.I. sustaining vibrancy across the organisation. Having overcome significant health challenges, he focuses on the wellbeing of staff, volunteers and users.
Agnieszka Cybula, Administrator
I joined A.S.K.I. In 2022 to offer clerical support. I am a self-motivated, super-organised mum of two, who enjoys face-to-face interaction with people. When I found out about this position I didn't hesitate. In this role, I can combine my natural organisational skills with 20 years of experience in dealing with people from diverse communities.
My duties include maintaining an internal membership database, managing office equipment, booking members for charity events/trips, creating, and organizing charity documents, spreadsheets and presentations as needed, as well as providing excellent customer service to our members and external partners. Ultimately my job is to ensure A.S.K.My office procedures run smoothly.
Maria Ako, Dance Tutor
I love to help people experience joy and well-being through dancing. The exchange of energy from the dancers lights up the room and the smiles and positivity are infectious. Dancing is food for the soul and I see how it transforms vulnerable and isolated people. Delivering dance sessions for A.S.K.I. is the highlight of my week. The older people gals and guys are a joy to teach and they certainly keep me on my toes! They helped me to learn about resilience, determination, and how there is always the capacity to challenge ourselves and learn and grow no matter how old we are.
Amanda Nilmadhub, Sewing Workshop Facilitator/Head of Garment Construction
Sewing is in my blood, my Mum is a seamstress and my grandmother and all her sisters were dressmakers in South Africa. I’ve had the benefit of learning the skills from the age of eight and I’m on a mission to help others reap the benefits of this mindful, creative, and social activity. I take great pleasure in witnessing the growth and personal development of participants in the workshops, the friendships that are formed, the skills and the endless talents of people who never thought they could sew. And of course, it’s great to see everyone having fun.I have a little studio at home where I also do dressmaking and teaching. When I’m not covered in a thread or sitting behind a sewing machine, I take care of my 4 sons.
David Ross, Creativity and Mindful Art
I’m a fashion designer, and illustrator, with expertise in Curriculum Design/Review. I bring this range of skills to facilitate creativity and mindful art workshops for A.S.K.I. I love the rich tapestry of experience and knowledge of everyone on the course and how the workshops help people to transform difficult life circumstances and emotions into beautiful art. I always feel wonderful energy as we learn and grow together at A.S.K.I.
Michelle Inniss, Creative Writing Workshop Facilitator.
I was born in Liverpool to Trinidadian parents. I write prose and plays and have an MA in Creative Writing. My goal is to facilitate the writing and telling of untold stories so that they have a platform. What I love about my work is watching the participants grow in confidence as week after week they mine their own stories, recognise their importance and share them. The workshops support community cohesion and understanding and I’m so happy to be a part of this.
Thanks to our funders past and present
