Iolanada Benu Viegas

Iolanda has received the award in recognition of the incredible work she does helping to integrate the international community into the local community.

She has worked for the Northeast Wales Multicultural Hub, since November 2022, which is part of Race Council Cymru, co-ordinating 27 different diverse community groups, leading the North Wales group, dealing with many issues such as access to funding, visibility and understanding.

Iolanda is also the events manager for Refugee Kindness North Wales, providing new families with donated household items, such as tables, chairs, kettles, there is also a Refugee Kindness Facebook page.

Iolanda was born in Mozambique and has a Portuguese father, her Portuguese heritage has led her to run a workshop at TY Pawb, for the Portuguese elders, called Bom Dia Cymru. This is a CLPW CIC project, a Wrexham Portuguese community language group, Bom Dia Cymru is funded by Ty Pawb and has 15-20 members who are over 50 and not working, either retired or unable to work due to illness.
They love to come together and learn about Welsh culture and share Portuguese culture also and also have a Facebook page.

Iolanda also chairs Black History Wales 365, which recently commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Windrush arrivals, celebrating the triumphs of Black individuals in Wales, from historical figures to modern-day trailblazers.

Well done Iolanda, we love how you are making a difference here in Wrexham.