Kerryanne Jacobsen Okezie

Kerryanne Jacobsen Okezie is the Founder of the Maesglas Family Learning Association. The group, located in Newport, South Wales, works with disadvantaged people who are socially excluded from taking part in many activities. Among the groups aims is the provision of training and support for disenfranchised individuals to become active volunteers and community leaders so as to regenerate the local neighbourhood and to create an inclusive and active community.

In addition, Kerryanne has set up the first non-profit talent agency in the UK, which will enable young people to develop their talent even if they do not have the money to do so in the conventional way. Kerryanne has recognised the fact that talent is irrespective of background or race, but is often not allowed to mature due to these very factors.

More than 500 disadvantaged people in Newport have benefited directly from Kerryanne’s initiative bringing free learning into the homes of the most socially marginalised. In 2003, the project received Community Fund approval through the award of £183,000, allowing the development of outreach programmes, the employment of full-time staff and providing a range of accredited courses run through the Open College Network. With the provision of childcare programmes, many local women now have access to learning opportunities, which beforehand, would have been impossible. In addition, the Association has received free computers for lifelong learning from the European Social Fund. These grants indicate the value of Kerryanne’s work.

A Millennium Award winner, Kerryanne was also a finalist in 2003 South Wales National Community Awards scheme. She has also been the recipient of a Marie Claire ‘Tales of Inspiration’ semi-finalist award in 2003 and ‘Community Champion’ Finalist in 2004.

Maesglas is a priority region in the ‘Communities First’ programme (a long-term strategy established by the Welsh Assembly for improving the living conditions and prospects for people in the most disadvantaged communities in Wales) and is listed as being a region high on the index of multiple deprivation, used by the Welsh Assembly to establish the poverty of an area. Kerryanne’s founding of the Maesglas Family Learning Association in 2000 has provided a grass-roots, community-led regeneration plan that has assisted hundreds of local people to access education and learning and so re-skill for work and stands as an example of empowerment and re-inclusion within a social model.

“Thanks to her, so many people are touched by her wonderful desire to see people positively change their lives for the better. I have never met anyone like her and I will never forget what she has done for the community.”

Jennifer Smith, Newport.

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