Londra Toplum Postasi
1983 - 2010
Toplum Postası was the first local newspaper that aims to serve the Turkish speaking community in the United Kingdom. Since its establishment, Toplum Postası has continued to grow, and has recently enlarged its distribution area. We now distribute our newspaper into the City Centre and the Northwest of London as well as to the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, and West Yorkshire.
With a circulation of 20,000, Toplum Postasi had over 80,000 online readers from the UK, 7,500 from the United States and 6,500 from Australia and Canada as well as thousands from countries as far away as Argentina, Brazil and South Africa.
Toplum Postasi was a mechanism of information targeted at the UK’s Turkish Speaking community. The newspaper kept community members informed of changes and burning issues in both the UK and Cyprus that affected their lives. In line with TCCA’s policy of youth development Toplum Postasi welcomed regular school-college placements. The newspaper was also a hub for researchers seeking to learn more about the UK’s Turkish Cypriot community.
Written by young and bright members of the Turkish Cypriot community the newspaper aimed to cater for a wide range of tastes and a wide rage of ages. The Turkish pages catered for the first generation, while strategically, the English pages were very important for accessing members of the second and third generation of the Turkish Cypriot community, the majority of who have English as their main language.
Toplum Postasi underwent major changes in page design and layout in the last years of its publication. But with funds generated chiefly from adverts, the newspaper was adversely affected by the ongoing recession and by a global declining newspaper industry and consequently had to close on August 14 2010.
At the time of closure the Manager was Mustafa Hussein, Editor-in-Chief Ali Keskin, English Editor Alkan Chaglar and Chief Designer Halil Yaltirik.
MENTORING PROJECT
Funded by the BBC’s Children in Need, the Mentoring Project commenced work on the 18th January 2006 when the Co-ordinator, Ayse Gul took up her post. A formal launch was held in February and the Project proceeded towards its target of recruiting and training Mentors to work with young people of 10 – 14 years of age, with the objective of enhancing educational achievement and social inclusion. The initial response by prospective Mentors was above expectation and 23 people subsequently signed up for the training of which 16 are now trained and ready to work with young people. From the outset the Project has received considerable media coverage including a feature on Kanal D’s ‘Son Durak’ and a feature by BRT to be aired in July 2006. More recently, the response from schools in Enfield and Haringey has been overwhelming and the Co-ordinator is now busy visiting schools to assess needs and commence the matching up process. Our Certificate Ceremony and celebration of 18th July was attended by her Worship the Mayor of Haringey, Cllr Gina Adamou and we are actively fundraising to expand the remit of the Project.
Mentoring Coordinator Ayse Gul
War Time Life Project
JULY 2005 - APRIL 2006
Wartime Life consists of a booklet, exhibition and short film that has been produced by the Turkish Cypriot Community Association (TCCA) nd was funded by Home Front Recall which is part of the National Lottery Fund.
The Project aimed to record the very important experiences of people during the war years 1939-1945, where an estimated 20,000 Cypriots (both Greek and Turkish Cypriots) formed the Cyprus Regiment. the project ended with a exhibition held at TCCA'S main building in Haringey in February 2006.
Project Officer Sonay Deniz Ozen
(Project No Longer Runing at the TCCA)
