Rob Deeks

Young People Leading Change: Together As One Our name, 'Together As One,' serves as both a reflection of our ethos and a beacon for our charitable mission—believing in collaborative efforts for social change. Our mission is to engage with young people from diverse faiths and backgrounds, aiming to make a positive impact on our community through training, youth work, and creative projects. Origins in Response to Gang Violence Formerly identified as 'Aik Saath,' our project emerged as a response to escalating gang violence among young individuals from Asian backgrounds in Slough during the mid-1990s. Intense conflicts between rival gangs led to riots, property damage, and severe injuries. The national spotlight turned to the conflict, and on March 30, 1998, Channel 4 aired 'The Peacemaker,' a documentary highlighting conflict resolution efforts led by Dr. Dudley Weeks. Successful in preventing further escalation, Dr. Weeks proposed the establishment of a conflict resolution group led by young people, culminating in the formation of 'Aik Saath' (meaning 'Together As One' in Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu). Evolution and Values Initially focused on challenging prejudices causing violence among Asian youth, Aik Saath evolved to embrace all young people, irrespective of faith or background. The founders emphasized placing young people at the forefront of initiatives addressing tensions in late 1990s Slough. Since then, our organization consistently champions youth leadership, empowering them to spearhead diverse projects. From initiatives supporting specific groups like young carers to arts and heritage projects fostering understanding, our work is led by the active participation of young people. Central to our values is the belief that effective resolution efforts require the active involvement of young people. Our name encapsulates our unwavering commitment to uniting people, alleviating tensions, propelling change, and cultivating safer, more cohesive communities.