Our 2024 Recap
The year 2024 was filled with incredible achievements and unforgettable memories. At Ekota, our mission to build a stronger, healthier, and more connected community drove us to new heights. None of this would have been possible without your unwavering support.
Here’s a month-by-month recap of everything we accomplished together, celebrating the milestones that made this year truly special.
A Year of Activities
We kicked off 2024 with our sporting sessions and activities, which brought over 53670 participants together to stay active, engaged, and connected.
Over the year, Ekota hosted a remarkable number of sessions, including:
- Cricket Sessions: 590 sessions
- Football Sessions: 462 sessions
- Badminton Sessions: 90 sessions
- Pilates Sessions: 30 sessions
- Wellbeing Sessions: 1482 sessions
- Kitchen Social: 420 hot meals provided to the community
- Education & Development Sessions: 204 sessions
- Summer Programme Sessions: 589 sessions
These sessions have been at the heart of Ekota’s mission, offering people the chance to improve their physical health, foster new relationships, and build essential skills for life.
Here’s a month-by-month recap of everything we accomplished together, celebrating the milestones that made this year truly special.
January 2024: Dancing into the New Year
In January, we kicked off the year with an exciting dance collaboration with Colours of Redbridge and Dance to Inspire. This free programme for families and children ran for eight weeks, led by the incredible Angelique as our dance trainer. Each week, families and children joined us, learning new moves and building confidence. It was a joy to see everyone express themselves through dance, creating lasting memories together!
February 2024: Celebrating Cricketing Achievements
February was a month of celebration for our children’s cricket team, who won the Chance to Shine County Finals held in Chelmsford. We are immensely proud of their achievement!
Additionally, we attended a reception at the London Living Room in City Hall to celebrate community cohesion and aspiration through cricket in East London. Our talented coach, Jusnara Khanom, was a panel speaker, sharing her inspiring cricketing journey and motivating others to pursue their dreams in the sport. The event was a wonderful opportunity to connect with the community and legends like Nasser Hussain, and celebrate our shared love for cricket.
March 2024: Empowering Women Through Cricket
March brought us an empowering Women’s Only Cricket Tournament, where our dedicated ladies took part in the summer softball cricket tournament. Throughout the year, they participated in various competitions, attending weekly practice sessions to improve their skills. A highlight was a friendly match organised by Essex Community Cricket and Dream Big Desi Women, where Ekota proudly brought home the bronze medal!
April 2024: Igniting the Cricket Spirit
As spring arrived, we began preparations for our Dynamos and All Stars cricket sessions for 2024. In partnership with the English Cricket Board (ECB), we launched three exciting cricket programmes, inspiring a love for the sport while fostering community connections.
May 2024: A Royal Garden Party
A defining moment of 2024 came in May when Ekota was honoured with the prestigious King’s Award for our exceptional contributions to the community. To celebrate this monumental achievement, we were invited to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, where we had the honour of meeting His Majesty the King. This recognition has inspired us to continue making a meaningful impact, and we’re so proud of this achievement!
June 2024: The Heritage Project
In June, we proudly launched the Heritage Project, funded by London Youth. This initiative celebrated the rich diversity of our community by gathering oral histories and cultural stories. Our volunteers conducted insightful interviews with community members, capturing their unique journeys and cultural narratives. The group ended the project designing a poster showcasing the vibrant heritage of Ekota.
The Heritage Project not only highlighted our shared histories but also gave participants an opportunity to reflect on their unique backgrounds and stories, fostering a greater sense of belonging and pride.
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July 2024: A Month of Excitement and Progress
The Hundred Launch in Goodmayes Park
July began with the Hundred Launch event, hosted by KP Snacks at Goodmayes Park. Over 270 participants joined us for a CrickFit session led by Katie Piper and players from The Hundred. The day was filled with energy, fun activities, and exciting freebies!
Ekota Hub Renovation
Another milestone was the completion of the Ekota Pavilion renovation, which we’ve transformed into the Ekota Hub. This revamped indoor space now features essential facilities like a toilet and kitchen. A colourful mural now adorns the walls, capturing Ekota’s spirit of community, diversity, and inclusion.
London Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) Summer Programme Launch
July also saw the launch of our VRU funded Summer Programme, attended by special guests Sadiq Khan (Mayor of London) and Professor Green. The programme gained widespread media coverage on BBC News and ITV News, with the Mayor actively participating in cricket and football sessions with the children. This launch marked the beginning of an exciting programme that would extend through the summer months.
August 2024: Summer Programme Success
Our VRU Summer Programme continued into August, bringing together over 250 participants for six weeks of sports, arts, crafts, and exciting activities.
Highlights included:
- A Sports Day, which celebrated fitness and fun.
- A celebratory awards ceremony, where the Penguins team triumphed with the most house points.
- Special recognition for outstanding individuals, including Yasin (Coach of the Year), Zain R (Coordinator of the Year), and Zain C (Volunteer of the Year), all voted by the children at a mock polling station.
The programme was a testament to the power of community, creativity, and teamwork. A big thank you to everyone who participated, organised, and supported this initiative, it was a true success!
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Megamix Cricket
In August, we launched our Megamix Cricket programme funded by Vision, designed for boys and girls aged 8-12. Over the month, participants attended sessions where they learned essential cricket skills while enjoying a variety of activities. It was fantastic to see so many young players engaged and enthusiastic about cricket!
September 2024: Special Visits and Exciting Launches
Mayor’s Office Visit
Volunteers from our VRU Summer Programme were invited to City Hall for a memorable day with Mayor Sadiq Khan. The group enjoyed a tour of the Mayor’s Office and gained insights into the workings of City Hall, leaving inspired by their experience.
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Women-Only Pilates Launch
In September, we officially launched our women-only Pilates sessions in partnership with PilatesbyLaraib. Held every Saturday, these sessions have become a big part of Ekota, empowering women to improve their strength and flexibility. The launch event raised funds for Forgotten Women, and the addition of online Pilates sessions has further expanded accessibility, allowing participants to join from the comfort of their homes.
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Launch of the Walking Club
Ekota also proudly launched the Walking Club in September, bringing together community members for regular walks in Goodmayes Park. Now meeting every Sunday and occasionally during the week, participants enjoy a wonderful opportunity to stay active, connect with neighbours, and form lasting friendships. This initiative has not only promoted physical fitness but has also become a heart-warming way to strengthen community bonds.
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Under-12 Football League
Ekota’s very own Under-12s Football Team kicked off their league matches this year, and we’re thrilled by their incredible progress.
A massive thank you to our players for their determination and relentless effort throughout the season.
A heartfelt appreciation also goes to our fantastic coaches: Yasin, Zain, Zakaria, Peter, Mehdi, Hannan, Saleema, and Kwasi. Your hard work and dedication have been truly inspiring, and we look forward to more victories in 2025!
October 2024: Holiday Fun and Generous Donations
Our VRU Holiday Programme in October was packed with exciting activities, including:
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- Football, Cricket, Games & and arts-and-crafts sessions.
- A treasure hunt around the park
- A Dragons’ Den session, where children presented their innovative ideas to our very own Ekota dragons.
We also partnered up with ELBA, who generously donated 30 free laptops for children from low-income households. These devices will help support schoolwork and creative projects, providing a vital tool for success and new opportunities for children.
November 2024: Awards and Building Bridges in Morocco
Awards
November brought well-deserved recognition for Ekota:
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- We proudly received the Essex Cricket Community Award for our impactful contributions.
- We were honoured to be shortlisted for the Chance to Shine Community Award and the London Sport Awards (Uniting London category).
- Zain Rahman was shortlisted for the Volunteer of the Year Award for the 2024 London Sport Awards, recognising his hard work and outstanding contributions to our community.
- Three of our dedicated volunteers Diana Rusu, Timothy Amjad, and Zain Rahman were honoured with the Jack Petchey Award for their exceptional efforts. These volunteers coach training sessions every weekend, play an integral role in running our holiday programmes, and actively contributed to our Heritage project.
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These awards/nominations celebrate the tireless dedication of our team, volunteers, and supporters!
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Trip to Morocco
In November, our team also had the incredible opportunity to travel to Morocco, where we focused on developing grassroots initiatives in the region. The trip was not only about sharing our knowledge and skills but also about learning from the vibrant culture and community spirit of Morocco. This experience strengthened our commitment to community development and highlighted the importance of international collaboration in promoting sports at the grassroots level.
December 2024: Kitchen Social and
Year-End Reflection
This year we participated in the Kitchen Social organised by the Mayor’s Fund for London. This vital initiative combats food insecurity and social isolation by offering a safe space for young people to enjoy nutritious meals and build friendships during school holidays. In the 2023-24 academic year:
- We supported 60 young people through Kitchen Social.
- We served 420 hot and nutritious meals, reaching children from diverse and underserved backgrounds, including 48% aged 12 and under and 52% aged 13-18.
- 80% of participants came from global majority backgrounds, and 3% identified as having a disability.
A big thank you to the Mayor’s Fund for London for enabling this impactful work.
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Core Projects in 2024
This year, Ekota proudly collaborated on several initiatives. Through the Compass Wellbeing project, we secured funding to support 60 young people from ethnic minority groups with their mental health, delivering 1,200 one-to-one mentoring sessions and 200 group activity sessions, providing personalised guidance and fostering resilience. Additionally, through the Million Hours Fund, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and the UK Government, we launched the Safe Space project, offering a secure environment for 16–18-year-olds at risk of antisocial behaviour (ASB). These projects reflect our dedication to empowering young people and creating a safer, more supportive community.
Emerald Bistro: A Growing Hub for the Community
Our cafe, Emerald Bistro, continues to thrive as an increasingly popular hub for the community. It provides a warm, welcoming space for people of all ages, including a dedicated focus on supporting older members of our community. By fostering connections and addressing social isolation, the cafe has become a vital meeting place where everyone can feel valued and included.
Looking Ahead to 2025: Ekota’s 10th Anniversary
Next year, we’ll be celebrating a major milestone: Ekota’s 10th Anniversary! We’re planning exciting events and initiatives to commemorate a decade of empowering our community. Stay tuned for updates! we can’t wait to celebrate with you!
