Mix-d: Testimonials.

Maurice Irfan Coles: Chief Executive of Leicester City School Development Support Agency (SDSA).

I have known and worked very closely with Bradley for over six years now in my capacity as Chief Executive of Leicester City School Development Support Agency (SDSA). In our earlier collaborative work on supplementary schools we realized that we shared a joint passion: meeting the needs of young people from multiple heritage background. We discussed these needs and the possible institutional responses in depth, over time and began to map out a number of potential conferences.

I was full of admiration when Bradley bravely decided to leave the security of paid employment and establish his own Multiple Heritage Project. Such was his commitment to meeting the needs of these youngsters that Bradley was prepared to invest his own time and money in a speculative venture.

I am delighted to say that his commitment, energy and advocacy have delivered an excellent outcome. Bradley and I have worked closely on three major conferences specifically designed for young people in three different cities. Working with Bradley is always a pleasure. He seems, effortlessly, to be able to elicit the best from the adults and young people with whom he works. His sympathetic and empathetic style, coupled with his knowledge of multiple heritage issues and his passion for change have led to a number of events which have provided young people with genuine platform to express their intimate views.

His organizational skills, ability to persuade funders and report writing expertise provide us with an excellent compendium of the views of this, the fastest growing minority ethnic group in the country.

Bradley's pioneering work is all the more important as, to date, central government has not effectively grasped the many and complex issues that surround young people of multiple heritage. With each passing day more and more dual heritage children enter school. Teachers, assistants, youth workers and those in the voluntary sector, look to Bradley's work to help them better meet the needs of this group.

I recommend his work to you without hesitation. If I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sarah Lee: Joint Acting Head of Nottinghamshire Ethnic Minority and Traveller Support Service

I first became aware of Bradley Lincoln's work following a course I attended in London about eighteen months ago. Brad's work was featured amongst the multitude of handouts I had received and I remember reading about the Manchester conference he had delivered which left me feeling excited and intrigued. There was a photo of Brad standing with some of the young attendees and it eminated warmth and enthusiasm. I determined there and then that I would make contact with him one way or another as it was clear in my mind that Nottinghamshire needed something like this for sure.

Shortly afterwards I was contacted by a colleague from Nottingham city who invited us to co-host a young people's conference in July 2007. That's when things really started to improve for us and our adventure began. I use the word adventure deliberately. None of us was sure the way things would turn out, and one of the great things about Brad is that he is open to ideas and responds according to the need of the time and the place. Meeting him in person confirmed all my instincts and seeing him in action was a testament to the faith we had put in him. He is truly inspirational. But Bradley Lincoln is not just charisma. Brad can engage with people on all levels, but he does so with absolute sincerity and integrity. His committment to the project, and first and foremost, the young people, is a quality which in my opinion is becoming something of a rarity in both our personal and professional lives.

He is passionate about his work. In fact he lives and breathes his work, but does so in a way that is truly infectious and not at all overwhelming. In our devloping partnership I have been priviledged to watch as he connects with the young people and gives them permission to say what they really think and feel. I personally have learned a lot from him as a professional, and he has made me reflect on our practice in relation to how we work with young people. He has reminded me why I came into this line of work in the first place, and re-energised me by reminding me that we can achieve great things if we are determined enough and keep faith.

He has a gift for making people believe in themselves and for inspiring them to chase their dreams. He is just the kind of person our young people need to be around, and has started a quiet revolution here in Nottinghamshire, empowering young minds in a way that we could never have managed on our own. We have much to thank him for, and we are eager to continue to collaborate with him on a variety of projects that really are making a difference to the young people we serve.

And yet that is not all. As the mother of a mix-d child myself, I have benefiited from his insights and personal wisdom, and been able to share my thoughts and questions in a way that we are not always able to as professionals. Brad doesn't claim to have all the answers, nor to represent the single voice of all from mix-d backgrounds. He speaks openly and honestly about who he is and his journey to get there.

It is this that I think gives him his special qualities, and it is why the young people love and respect him so much. What you see is what you get. Hard-working, sincere and totally driven, yet open, honest and still willing to grow further. I would recommend Brad and his work to anyone wanting to explore this field further. He has touched so many lives already and each one has breathed a little easier for knowing him and learning about his project. As far as Nottinghamshire is concerned, our work with Brad has just begun. We will continue to support him and be supported by him, and encourage others out there to get in touch with him. He will make a difference. Your call will take you to places you can only imagine right now. Keep doing what you are doing, Brad. We look forward to seeing you in Nottinghamshire again very soon.

Dr Lea Esterhuizen: Head of Research - Unltd

Bradley Lincoln's work on mixed heritage is cutting edge. He takes an issue which pervades all of our identities and lives, and treats this with courage and sensitivity in equal measure, posing challenging questions and encouraging the young people with whom he currently works to answer and debate these honestly in a supportive environment. His concern with learning from the young people with whom he engages and his dedication to evidencing the difference his work makes also renders this project one worth watching over the months and years to come.

Katy Atkinson: Training and Project Coordinator - Radiowaves

It was really inspiring working alongside Brad, watching the way Mr Lincoln engaged young people was incredible. Bradley interacts with young people in a way that is so successful, he talks to his students in manner that makes them realise the relevance of the work they are taking part in. When I worked with Bradley to do Multi media work with a group of students in Manchester I noticed how much his students grew in confidence and self belief. The Multiple Heritage Project is one I would recommend to any school or young person.

Jackie Ould: Education Outreach Coordinator, Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Resource Centre.

With the changing demography of modern Britain, it is vitally important that the particular issues faced by children of mixed heritage are explored and stereotypes challenged. We are glad to be working in partnership with the Multiple Heritage Project to support the important work that is being developed with young people, the insights accumulated and the new resources produced. Bradley Lincoln richly deserves the accolades that have been heaped upon him in the past couple of years, and which reflect the innovative nature of his work and his passionate commitment to it.

Richard Milnes: Professional Photograher.

Lightmajestic Photography have been working alongside Bradley for two years now, during that time I've had the pleasure of seeing first hand the incredible impact that Bradley's enthusiasm and dedication has had on the students attending his seminars.

As a photographer it's always a joy to be a part of the Multiple Heritage events, the kids clearly want to express their ideas and explore their identities and Bradley gives them the platform to do that. The pictures I take when working with Brad are often so full of expression and context that many of them are up there amongst my personal favourites and hopefully help to reflect Bradley's ambitions for the Project.

Jane Daffe: Senior Ethnic Minority Achievement Consultant

I was initially informed about Bradley and his innovative work by an ex-colleague in Trafford, who told me that I needed to make contact with him and find out about the Project. She spoke very highly of him and his work, praise indeed from an extremely experienced educationalist and trainer on multiple heritage issues, of mixed heritage herself.

I attended the first Youth Conference held in Manchester at the start of the last academic year and was blown away by the impact on the 50 young people in attendance of such a safe, purposeful and supportive space. This was at long last an opportunity tailored specifically to the needs and issues of young people of Multiple Heritage; just to see so many of them together, feeling so positive about their entitlement and identity was extremely powerful. I was immediately committed to ensuring that we could offer the same experience in Nottingham. We organised our conference in July 2007.

Bradley's genuine approach and passion for the work was instantly transmitted to the young people he worked with he is engaging and builds positive professional relationships with ease. All involved, young people from schools, youth facilitators, school staff and LA colleagues have been impressed with what Bradley has brought to an often-neglected group and area of our work. Similarly, when Bradley was invited back to Nottingham as keynote speaker and workshop facilitator at our Ethnic Minority Services conference this year, teaching colleagues rated his input higher than any other participant on the day.

I recommend the work of the Multiple Heritage Project unreservedly.

Martin Glynn: Researcher (Cert.Ed, MA)

As a mixed race man, researcher, and advocate for the right to self-definition, I'm writing to add my support to Bradley and his teams work. We live in a time when the struggle for validation and acceptence for who we are becomes important in the way we engage with improving the quality of our lives. The work of the project is vital in affirming the need for a central focus and a coordinated response to the issue of mixed race identity, and understanding. I would recommend supporting such an important initiative.

Gillian Ollumid: Lecturer in Social Science

Well done Brad, you are a genius. The site and the project have stripped the whole area of mix.d of all the professional misperceptions. Now the demand is that children and families are respected on their own terms and in their own way. What an achievement. I love the mix.d too - just what we have all been looking for for so long. All the very very best with the project.

Christina O'Connor: Managing Director Media Guru

MediaGuru is proud to support The Multiple Heritage Project.

We have worked with media outlets across the country to promote the great work that the project does.

Major broadcasters such as the BBC as well as both local and national press have been delighted to cover Multiple Heritage events and learn more about the project.

Bradley Lincoln's passion and enthusiasm is empowering a generation to express their unique identity and through partnership with small businesses like MediaGuru, decision makers are the highest level are starting to sit up and listen.

Kathie Schuller: Registered Manager Crisis & Respite Service

My Name is Kathie Schuller, I Manage a Crisis and Respite Unit for Clients with acute mental health problems in the Borough of Rochdale council.I was first Introduced to Bradley and the Multiple Heritage project, when I attended I an open evening In Manchester, were Bradley was presenting, and displaying some of the workshops he had delivered across the country.

Recognising the Multiple Heritage Project was aimed at young people. I felt there was a place for this training in Adult care. I approached Bradley to discuss the possibility of delivering this training to staff who worked in a Mental Health Project. Several meetings took place to discuss the training needs of our service, which Bradley took on board and designed a workshop which encompassed our requirements. One of the requirements for our staff, was to gain more understanding and awareness of our clients with multiple heritage, which can some times be a low priority, due to lack of understanding on how to approach this subject, especially whilst focusing on the clients immediate mental health needs, but equally as important if we are to use an holistic approach.

The Multiple Heritage Project was delivered successfully in 2 separate workshops to approximately 25 staff. The response and feed back from the staff was exceptionally encouraging. Many staff explained they felt that previous training in this area, was very much about what to say and not to say, and value diversity. Staff felt the multiple heritage training offered a much more open and real approach about ethnicity and multiple heritage. Since the training as took place, Staff reported they feel more confidence and comfortable, discussing a client's heritage and feel it is less taboo! Staff explained clients have been open and keen to discuss the subject with staff, creating awareness and feeling proud of their mixed backgrounds, as opposed to feeling confused or just lacking insight. The training has also provided an opportunity to gain knowledge and further awareness of multiple heritage and pass their knowledge on. Fabulous!

Isabel Adonis: Writer, Tutor, Artist.

Congratulations Bradley for giving recognition and taking seriously the voice of young people of dual heritage. By giving them a space and time to talk you have created an opportunity for a new and important dialogue to begin. The mixed race person finds herself caught in a paradox where she is at once the same and different. And in the gaze of those who believe they have a untiary identity this racial ambiguity is disturbing. It is easier to say that mixed race people don't know who they are rather than I don't know who I am. The challenge then is in the ambiguity itself. How do we integrate the human qualities of same and difference? How do we all integrate what seem like opposities?

Paula Gamester: Connector Media CIC Conference Coordinator Kidz Wellbeing Conference

Those attending the workshop found it both thought provoking and challenging Bradley's unique style of facilitating encouraged delegates to participate in discussion and share ideas. We definitely will include Multiple Heritage Project to participate in further conferences.

Lee Blake: 50FIFTY CLOTHING

I have been immensely impressed with what Brad has achieved in a relatively short time. Multiple Heritage Project is one of the agencies (if not THE best) operating in the UK

Everything MHP does oozes professionalism. It is a pleasure to count them as a partners in the struggle and as friends.

Val Hoskins and on behalf of People in Harmony

'Very well done Brad for getting together a beautifully presented site to represent the multiple heritage project. We really like the clear unambiguous messages that state the case from a mix-d perspective. We also appreciate the positive way you approach the questions and issues raised and confront the mistakes of the past. If we can contribute in any way do let us know. In the meantime, all the very best with the excellent work you are doing on all our behalf.'

Joyce Grundy: Intermix Project Burton on Trent.

"The training further enhance our knowledge base and made us challenge our own perceptions on the whole issue of multi hertiage people. A true testimony to an effectively delivered,structure training programme. The Youth forum felt that they had benefitted enormously as they were able to explore their own personal issues around their identity.

Ayo Bakare: Project Coordinator Multiple Heritage Voices

I found out about MHP in 2006, when i was preparing to undertake a short term project for young people of multiple heritage in Birmingham. I found MHP a huge help when preparing to deliver the project which had similar goals and challenges. Bradley was able to provide advice, networking opportunities, insight and support whilst drawing from his wealth of experience in the field of education, and specifically mixed race matters.

I was invited to two of the regional MHP conferences for students in Manchester and Birmingham. This was an eye opening experience as MHP highlighted issues that were very relevant to young people from multiple heritage backgrounds. The students clearly came away with an added confidence when approaching issues of race, relationships and education which was truly inspiring and helped me apply these outcomes to my own work.

MHP is a great project, with clear outcomes and impacts on the lives of young people. It provides a safe space for young people to express themselves in an environment of acceptance and understanding. I have benefited from this project both personally, and professionally and hope to see it go from strength to strength.

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