Ann-Marie Smith

I’m 52 years old and a mother of six children.  I have volunteered as a parent governor in two of my children’s schools. Due to an interest in working with children I did a Nursery Nurse qualification.

Once I finished my studies, I wanted to give back to the community, so I got involved in ACAP’s mentor programme. This allowed me to further my skills by working with young people who the school system did not accommodate for. Volunteering at ACAP gave me many opportunities to pursue hobbies such as cycling. In September 2015 with the help of ACAP I started Girls Gotta Ride cycling club, a club that meets weekly in order to keep women fit and healthy as well as promote cycling to African Caribbean women who tend to be missing from these events.  I wanted to start a club that made a difference and I have managed to do that.

Following this year’s AGM in January, I was elected as the Treasurer of ACAP and have been offered this role as a Windrush judge. I am grateful to have this opportunity to award people within the African Caribbean community for their contributions since the Windrush Era.