Zia tells us why she voted ‘yes’ to introducing the Camden Pound.
In August 2023 Camden Giving sent out a vote to our Alumni Network to decide wether this years Equality Fund recipients should have access to an additional £2,500 to spend on goods and services from local businesses, who are led by a Camden resident, from the global majority and/or is disabled. We received 111 votes.105 Alumni voted ‘Yes’ to introducing the Camden Pound.
We caught up with Zia, local Camden resident and founder of the Highgate Black Women’s Wellness Group. She spoke to us about her work and why she voted to introduce The Camden Pound.
Tell us about yourself?
Hey, I’m Zia Teshome, founder of the Highgate Black Women’s Wellness Group. I started my work through the Camden Giving small grants and have grown the project which is delivered out of our local community centre, The Old Diorama. My project helps the wellbeing of black women in Camden by providing black joy to them, through activities and meeting other like minded people in the community. During the second lockdown of the covid pandemic I felt that black women’s needs were not being addressed, their unique needs were not being met. Most were working public service job roles and were very disadvantaged during this time. They needed something to take their minds off everyday reality so I decided to do something about it. I organised socials and workshops for them. They kept returning, this inspired me and made me grow the project to where it is today.
Why did you vote to introduce the Camden Pound?
I voted in favour of the Camden Pound because I feel this will help the eco system of black and ethnic minority communities. I feel it will help sustain their business as well as help the community and help them grow. It’s been known that a lot of black and ethnic minority start up businesses close their doors within their first 2 years, particularly black owned businesses. So I hope this will help them have a level playing field. I love that this is the first step to creating a support system and network for these small businesses and charities.
How did you find the voting process?
I’m enjoying being a part of Camden Givings Alumni, the forms and voting was easy to access and process. I think Camden Giving are paving the way by taking these radical approaches to community voice.
What hopes and aspirations do you have for the Camden Pound?
To see black and ethnic minority businesses grow and flourish in the borough. I would say next time maybe we can expand this to people from ethnic minorities who own businesses in Camden but that may not necessarily live in Camden. We know a lot of people just can’t afford to live in Camden anymore, a number of us are being pushed out, due to rent being so high. Also I believe some services are taken advantage of by being asked to delivery things in kind, we don’t need exposure we need to be paid for what we do.
What kind of services/products would you buy if you had the Camden Pound?
Things that I would use the pound for would be food and refreshments, creams and beauty products for my service users. I’d also love to register for the Camden Pound as a consultant who can deliver motivational speaking, advice and workshops.
If you represent a business in Camden and wish to sign up for the Camden Pound initiative, please click here!
Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify, you must meet the following conditions:
You are a Camden resident.
You are the owner of a registered business operating in Camden.
You belong to the global majority and/or have a recognised disability.
You are able to offer a product or service to Equality Fund grantees.
