My name is Aderinola (Derin) Omole, and I work as a Race and Housing Policy Officer at the Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team (EYST). I have lived in Swansea since 2009, and during this time, I have actively contributed to the community through various roles in local charities such as the African Community Centre, Race Council Cymru, and YMCA Swansea. Along with my husband Debo, I co-founded Twale Cuisine Ltd., which was Swansea’s only West African outdoor catering business from 2015 to 2023. The challenges we faced, including employment barriers and financial difficulties due to our immigration status, have not deterred us. Instead, they fueled my passion to contribute positively to the Swansea community, which has supported us throughout our journey.

As a member of a minority ethnic community in Swansea, I’ve faced numerous challenges, particularly in securing employment. Despite holding two master’s degrees and nearly five years of experience in public health, I was repeatedly rejected for roles that matched my qualifications. For example, I was turned down five times by Terrence Higgins Trust before finally being hired. In the interim, I volunteered, worked as a cleaner, and took on various other roles to make ends meet. This experience was humbling but also highlighted the biases and cultural gaps that exist in the hiring process. It was a difficult time, especially as a mother of three young children, but I remained determined. Our immigration status complicated matters further, as it made us ineligible for government assistance, forcing us to rely on our resourcefulness and resilience. This challenging period eventually led to the creation of Twale Cuisine, a business born out of our determination to overcome these obstacles.

One of the most significant highlights of my time in Swansea has been the success of Twale Cuisine Ltd., which served as the city’s only African catering service for a time. In addition to our business, I’ve been deeply involved in community leadership. I served as a board member and Chairperson for the African Community Centre, helping to stabilise the organisation during the pandemic. I was also honoured to receive the Ethnic Minority Welsh Women Achievement Award (EMWWAA) for Business and contributed to the award-winning recipe book “The Melting Pot” by Maggie Ogunbanwo. My mentoring experience under Cllr Suzanne Paddison through the Diversity in Democracy Programme by the Welsh Government has been transformative, and I now use this experience to mentor young people in the community. Additionally, I’ve been actively involved in governance, serving on the boards of Christchurch Primary School and Olchfa School in Swansea, as well as on advisory groups and steering committees that focus on public health and inclusion.

My engagement with the Swansea community has been multifaceted. Through my work and partnerships with local charities like ACC, RCC, and EYST, I’ve been able to contribute meaningfully to the community. I also engage with individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds, offering mentorship, guidance, and support whenever possible. This often involves working with people I meet through our children’s schools or our Church. I understand the challenges of adjusting to life away from home, and I try to help others navigate these challenges by providing advice, signposting resources, and offering support. Additionally, through Twale Cuisine, we have supported charitable causes by offering free food or food vouchers to raise funds, and by making cash donations to support local community initiatives.

To change attitudes towards diversity, inclusion, and racial equality, it’s essential to be a positive light, even in the face of adversity. Demonstrating the value we bring to the community and countering negative perceptions with positive actions can make a significant impact. For example, Debo secured a job through a referral after volunteering his time and demonstrating his value. Sharing personal stories, like those highlighted in this project, can challenge stereotypes and foster a deeper understanding of the diverse experiences that enrich our society. It’s crucial to remain open-minded, empathetic, and proactive in supporting initiatives that promote inclusivity and equality. By addressing biases, we can create a more welcoming and supportive community for everyone.

To young people, especially those from ethnic minority backgrounds, my advice is to embrace your unique identity and share your stories confidently. Your voice is powerful and can inspire change. Seek out opportunities to engage with your community, whether through volunteering, joining local organisations, or participating in initiatives that resonate with your passions. Resilience and perseverance are key; no matter the challenges you may face, continue to pursue your goals and advocate for greater representation in society.

We are currently in the process of pivoting Twale Cuisine into a consulting and training delivery business. This new initiative aims to meet an unmet need within the community by helping to develop an economically vibrant and thriving generation of ethnic minorities in Swansea. While the details are still being finalised, we look forward to partnering with grassroots organisations to promote cultural understanding and community well-being. This project will run alongside our ongoing mentorship and support for third-sector projects. We remain committed to fostering a thriving, inclusive, and supportive community in Swansea.

Fy enw i yw Aderinola (Derin) Omole, ac rwy’n gweithio fel Swyddog Polisi Hil a Thai yn y Tîm Cefnogi Lleiafrifoedd Ethnig ac Ieuenctid (EYST). Rwyf wedi byw yn Abertawe ers 2009, ac yn ystod y cyfnod hwn, rwyf wedi cyfrannu’n frwd at y gymuned trwy rolau amrywiol mewn elusennau lleol fel y Ganolfan Gymunedol Affricanaidd (ACC), Race Council Cymru (RCC), ac YMCA Abertawe. Ynghyd â fy ngŵr Debo, cyd-sefydlais Twale Cuisine Ltd., sef unig fusnes arlwyo awyr agored Gorllewin Affrica yn Abertawe, rhwng 2015 a 2023. Nid yw’r heriau a wynebwyd gennym, gan gynnwys rhwystrau cyflogaeth ac anawsterau ariannol oherwydd ein statws mewnfudo, wedi ein rhwystro. Yn lle hynny, fe wnaethant danio fy angerdd i gyfrannu’n gadarnhaol at gymuned Abertawe, sydd wedi ein cefnogi ar hyd ein taith.

Fel aelod o gymuned lleiafrifoedd ethnig yn Abertawe, rwyf wedi wynebu sawl her, yn enwedig o ran sicrhau cyflogaeth. Er gwaethaf meddu ar ddwy radd meistr a bron i bum mlynedd o brofiad ym maes iechyd y cyhoedd, cefais fy ngwrthod dro ar ôl tro am rolau a oedd yn cyfateb i’m cymwysterau. Er enghraifft, fe’m gwrthodwyd bum gwaith gan Ymddiriedolaeth Terrence Higgins cyn cael fy nghyflogi o’r diwedd. Yn y cyfamser, fe wnes i wirfoddoli, gweithio fel glanhawr, a chymryd amryw o rolau eraill i gael dau ben llinyn ynghyd. Roedd y profiad hwn yn ostyngedig ond roedd hefyd yn amlygu’r rhagfarnau a’r bylchau diwylliannol sy’n bodoli yn y broses llogi. Roedd yn gyfnod anodd, yn enwedig fel mam i dri o blant ifanc, ond roeddwn yn parhau i fod yn benderfynol. Cymhlethodd ein statws mewnfudo faterion ymhellach, gan ei fod yn ein gwneud yn anghymwys i gael cymorth gan y llywodraeth, gan ein gorfodi i ddibynnu ar ein dyfeisgarwch a’n gwytnwch. Arweiniodd y cyfnod heriol hwn yn y pen draw at greu Twale Cuisine, busnes a ddeilliodd o’n penderfyniad i oresgyn y rhwystrau hyn.

Un o uchafbwyntiau mwyaf arwyddocaol fy amser yn Abertawe fu llwyddiant Twale Cuisine Ltd., a oedd yr unig wasanaeth arlwyo Affricanaidd yn y ddinas am gyfnod. Yn ogystal â’n busnes, rydw i wedi bod yn ymwneud yn fawr ag arweinyddiaeth gymunedol. Gwasanaethais fel aelod bwrdd a Chadeirydd y Ganolfan Gymunedol Affricanaidd, gan helpu i sefydlogi’r sefydliad yn ystod y pandemig. Cefais y fraint hefyd o dderbyn Gwobr Llwyddiant Menywod o Leiafrifoedd Ethnig Cymru (EMWWAA) ar gyfer Busnes a chyfrannais at y llyfr ryseitiau arobryn “The Melting Pot” gan Maggie Ogunbanwo. Mae fy mhrofiad mentora o dan y Cynghorydd Suzanne Paddison drwy’r Rhaglen Amrywiaeth mewn Democratiaeth gan Lywodraeth Cymru wedi bod yn drawsnewidiol, ac rwy’n defnyddio’r profiad hwn yn awr i fentora pobl ifanc yn y gymuned. Yn ogystal, rwyf wedi bod yn ymwneud yn weithredol â llywodraethu, gan wasanaethu ar fyrddau Ysgol Gynradd Christchurch ac Ysgol Olchfa yn Abertawe, yn ogystal ag ar grwpiau cynghori a phwyllgorau llywio sy’n canolbwyntio ar iechyd y cyhoedd a chynhwysiant.

Mae fy ymgysylltiad â chymuned Abertawe wedi bod yn amlochrog. Trwy fy ngwaith a phartneriaethau gydag elusennau lleol fel ACC, RCC, ac EYST, rydw i wedi gallu cyfrannu’n ystyrlon i’r gymuned. Rwyf hefyd yn ymgysylltu ag unigolion o gefndiroedd ethnig lleiafrifol, gan gynnig mentoriaeth, arweiniad a chymorth pryd bynnag y bo modd. Mae hyn yn aml yn golygu gweithio gyda phobl rydw i’n dod ar eu traws trwy ysgolion ein plant neu ein Heglwys. Rwy’n deall yr heriau o addasu i fywyd oddi cartref, ac rwy’n ceisio helpu eraill i lywio’r heriau hyn drwy ddarparu cyngor, cyfeirio at adnoddau, a chynnig cymorth. Yn ogystal, trwy Twale Cuisine, rydym wedi cefnogi achosion elusennol trwy gynnig bwyd am ddim neu dalebau bwyd i godi arian, a thrwy wneud rhoddion arian parod i gefnogi mentrau cymunedol lleol.

I newid agweddau tuag at amrywiaeth, cynhwysiant, a chydraddoldeb hiliol, mae’n hanfodol bod yn oleuni cadarnhaol, hyd yn oed yn wyneb adfyd. Gall dangos y gwerth a roddwn i’r gymuned a gwrthsefyll canfyddiadau negyddol gyda chamau gweithredu cadarnhaol gael effaith sylweddol. Er enghraifft, sicrhaodd Debo swydd trwy atgyfeiriad ar ôl gwirfoddoli ei amser a dangos ei werth. Gall rhannu straeon personol, fel y rhai a amlygir yn y prosiect hwn, herio stereoteipiau a meithrin dealltwriaeth ddyfnach o’r profiadau amrywiol sy’n cyfoethogi ein cymdeithas. Mae’n hanfodol bod â meddwl agored, yn empathetig ac yn rhagweithiol wrth gefnogi mentrau sy’n hyrwyddo cynhwysiant a chydraddoldeb. Drwy fynd i’r afael â rhagfarnau, gallwn greu cymuned fwy croesawgar a chefnogol i bawb.

I bobl ifanc, yn enwedig y rhai o gefndiroedd lleiafrifoedd ethnig, fy nghyngor i yw cofleidio eich hunaniaeth unigryw a rhannu eich straeon yn hyderus. Mae eich llais yn bwerus a gall ysbrydoli newid. Chwiliwch am gyfleoedd i ymgysylltu â’ch cymuned, boed hynny trwy wirfoddoli, ymuno â sefydliadau lleol, neu gymryd rhan mewn mentrau sy’n atseinio eich diddordebau. Mae gwytnwch a dyfalbarhad yn allweddol; ni waeth pa heriau y gallech eu hwynebu, parhewch i ddilyn eich nodau ac eiriolwch dros fwy o gynrychiolaeth mewn cymdeithas.