About Us

POWAA UK (originally the Old Princewaleans Association – OPWA UK) was founded in 1985 in London and the first President was Mr. F.G.O Bright. We are registered by the UK Charity Commission as a CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) with a Board of Trustees overseeing governance and administration. . A copy of our constitution is available to download from this website and can also be obtained from the POWAA UK Secretariat.

An Executive Committee led by the President is elected annually and several committees guide day to day affairs including: Constitutional and Review, e-Communications, Membership, Fundraising and Thanksgiving committees. 

POWAA UK is the oldest of the diasporan Chapters and in the thirty-four years of its existence our Association has made many significant charitable donations to the school. In recent years we have worked closely on common goals with the Freetown and USA Chapters through our Global Leadership Council, Global Education Committee and the Biennial Global Conference (hosted on rotation by the participating chapters). 

POWAA UK has provided scholarships to current POW pupils for several years. In the 2017/18 school year, 16 pupils, including four blind students, benefited from the scheme. Each scholarship was worth £100 (total of £2000).

POWAA UK contributes (with other POWAA chapters) to the provision of annual bonuses to all serving staff (teachers and other personnel) at the school. These bonuses supplement salaries and serve as incentives to staff. 

The POWAA UK mentorship scheme currently works with 12 of the POW students who are in receipt of association scholarships. The scheme aims to motivate, encourage and guide students in their career pathway. It is not about offering financial support.

Each student is currently mentored by a Trustee. The scheme may expand to include the general membership if demand grows.

All mentors must operate within POWAA UK & Ireland Safeguarding Policy and are DBS-checked.

POWAA UK consistently supports rehabilitation and maintenance of the school infrastructure. Our latest contribution has been the provision of £8000 toward the completion of the refurbishment of the school assembly hall.

Our General meeting is usually held in London every 3rd Sunday of the month. If you would like to receive notice of meetings please use our contact form. 

 

We would like to hear from you even if you are unlikely to ever attend a meeting, as there are still many ways in which you can help us help the school. So please get in touch.