Inside Cynefin Pamoja’s intergenerational employability and careers event
Supported by the McCarthy Stone Foundation, Cynefin Pamoja are bridging the generational gap, creating spaces for connection, conversation, and community.
Cynefin Pamoja employability and careers event
If you have noticed a disconnection between the younger and older generations you should attend one of Cynefin Pamoja’s events. In Newport and the surrounding areas, Cynefin Pamoja are building intergenerational connections with their most recent method being an ‘Intergenerational employability and careers event’ at the Pill Millenium Centre.
Cynefin Pamoja are a charity dedicated to applying equality, racial inclusivity, anti-racism, and providing employment opportunities for those who face barriers within the larger working environment. The ‘Intergenerational employability and careers event’ was their latest event offering a place for conversation between generations focused on the current employment landscape.
Cynefin Pamoja co-founder Nkechi Allen-Dawson
Co-founder of Cynefin Pamoja, Nkechi Allen-Dawson said it is essential to make these links between generations especially in the context of work.
“I was really excited about this employability event as what it has allowed us to do is bring young people, elderly people, employers, and volunteers in the same room to have this conversation around trying to get people up the ladder accessibility. What we’re trying to do here is increase social mobility.
“For us it’s very important because what we’re trying to do here is to create a sense of Cynefin, a sense of belonging. Where young people see role models who can actually make a difference and are making a difference in society so that we create a legacy.”
Nkechi said that Cynefin Pamoja are proud of the community engagement and everyone who turned up to support the event.
Cynefin Pamoja panel
The event began with a panel made up of a blend of students, working people, and retirees, whose ages ranged from 16 to people in their 60s.
The panel included two sibling Newport legends. Sean Wharton, a former professional footballer and Chair of the Football Association of Wales Equality Diversity and Integrity Steering Group, and Linette Haines MBE, an Army veteran and civil servant for the Ministry of Defence.
When Linette was asked if there was one moment from her career that defined her, she answered that there was too many moments to pick from and she could not pick just one. Instead she said if you wanted to do something you just have to do it.
“I want to. I wanted to join the army so I did. I wanted to become a civil servant so I did. I wanted to travel so I did.”
“We all have challenges; the trick is to face it.”
Alongside Sean Wharton and Linette Haines, the panel included Kiani Perera, Ayesha Adzo "Sakamoto" Kokukokor, Tara Kalhan-Gregory, Morgan Morton, and Evelyn James.
At the other end of the panel, Ayesha is only 16-years-old. Studying four A Levels in college she has already taken on multiple roles in her college such as LGBTQ officer, EDI student representative, and class representative.
When the younger panellists were asked what they felt the older generation could learn from them, Morgan Morton, a Senior Campaign Executive for one of Wales’s largest PR firms responded that young people have a strong sense of identity.
Cynefin Pamoja Panel
“A lot of young people are very confident in who they are and aren’t afraid to show it. My mum perms and chemically straightens her hair.“It is never too late to learn and become a better version of yourself.”
The panel also brought race to the forefront of the discussion bringing up topics such as codeswitching. Codeswitching is where you modify your language, behaviour, and appearance. Often for black people and those from other ethnic minority backgrounds, codeswitching is done to survive in dominant white spaces.
Nkechi reinforced that codeswitching is a survival strategy for people from ethnic minority backgrounds, but it is also a skill that they have.
“Codeswitching Is something we have to do on a daily basis. There is an expectation we have in Western society is we must conform.“It is a skill. You have to change your skin like a chameleon.”
Another topic discussed was the question, ‘where did you originally come from?’ and the appropriateness of it being asked. The general consensus amongst the panellists being that although it is too nuanced to be given a definitive no, it is in many occasions, offensive to ask. Cynefin Pamoja volunteer, Mustafa Hassan described the question as being loaded on so many levels because it insinuates that you are not from here, and you are being asked where do you belong.
Panellist Evelyn James who has over eight years of practical experience in the field of civil and criminal litigation and is the Campaign Manager for project Diverse5050 WEN said that she had been at another panel when a white woman had come up to her at the end and asked her that question.
“Reflect on if I asked a total stranger, ‘where are you originally from?”
Evelyn said that the question is not rude in itself when accompanied with mutual understanding between two people who want to know more about each other. However when asked alone it is just nosy.
Linette said that the question is nuanced and she responds accordingly depending on the situation she is in. In the past when asked, she has said Newport. When pushed further about her parents, she says they are from Newport, same with her grandparents, saying everyone is from Newport.
Nkechi said she often hears the question from older people of colour but it is different being asked from a person from an ethnic minority background to a white person.
After the panel ended, Cynefin Pamoja offered several sessions for attendees to develop their own employability skills. These included a musical chair meet and greet, a CV workshop, and an opportunity for networking.
The meet and greet gave attendees the opportunity to speak to experienced professionals to learn about different industries and gain meaningful insight into the working world.
Mustafa delivering the CV workshop
The CV workshop was led by Mustafa who was keen to not only share his knowledge with students looking at jobs but also immigrants who may not what is needed for a CV. Mustafa explained the importance of transferrable skills.
Alongside the opportunities for developments there were several stalls set up for attendees to familiarise themselves with different career pathways. These included the Sanctuary Seeker Team, Educators Wales, and Green Careers Pathway.
Claire Dent, the placement facilitator for Green Careers Pathway said this is a new project aimed to support young people into employment, particularly focused on those who have had barriers.
“The whole idea of the programme is to open the doors, break down the barriers, into green careers.”
The event was a success with both its attendees and panellists who all enjoyed the opportunity to come together, have open conversations, and learn more about employability.
One attendee, Akaysha Perera who had come along to support her older sister who was a panellist, enjoyed the sense of community at the event.
“I live in Merthyr so it’s quite secluded there. It’s nice to come to a bigger city where there’s more people of colour.”
Pannelists Morgan (left) and Tara (right)
Panellist, Morgan Morton shared she was grateful to be able to attend the event and support Cynefin Pamoja in sharing their message.
“So I think just creating a space where people are free to express themselves and share their experiences is really important because it gives people the opportunity to learn, look for guidance, to ask questions when sometimes doing that without a dedicated space can feel quite intimidating. Events like this are important because they bring the community together and break down barriers in that respect.”
Morgan explained further that she had the privilege to have a relationship with Cynefin Pamoja and attended their events before including the natural hair exhibition.
“[Cynefin Pamoja] make it so the community can come together and feel safe, respected and heard.”
Join Cynefin Pamoja in 2026
Cynefin Pamoja is calling on community members, young people, elders, employers, educators, and allies to be part of this growing movement in 2026.
• Visit their new office (warm hubs free drop ins) Jan - March 2026
• Attend an event (Women's wellness) Jan - June 2026
• Volunteer your time or expertise in our intergenerational workshops Feb to Nov 2026
• Partner with us as an organisation or employer via our knowledge-sharing gatherings Jan - June 2026
• Support inclusive pathways into work
