Fancy a Female Only Physical Activities Safe Space?
Welcome to
Inspiring and Empowering
Young Ladies Aged 11-21
Our charity was started by Patricia Muirhead in 2015 a year after the tragic death of her daughter Ashdon who ended her life aged 14 years. As a teenager, Ashdon
(who liked to be called "Jazz") struggled with peer pressure, peer aggression at school and lacking confidence about being herself in a society that pressurises
young women to be and act a certain way.
Our Mission....
Our mission is to work in partnership with vulnerable and disengaged young ladies aged between 11-21 and provide a dedicated emotional well-being service, which in turn supports positive mental health. We work in Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton and Croydon boroughs.
Who is Ashdon Jazz Academy?
Watch this video to see what Ashdon Jazz Academy is all about?
A day in the life of our Project Outreach Worker
Watch and see how Trisha was surprised and acknowledged by BBC's The One Show for the amazing work AJA is doing in the community
The Halo Code
Ashdon Jazz Academy’s Statement on Hair Discrimination Ashdon Jazz Academy champions the right of young black women to embrace all afro hairstyles. We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair is an important part of black young womens’ racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance.
We welcome Afro-textured hair worn in all styles including, but not limited to, afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps. We believe young black women in educational establishments and in places of work, should be given the freedom and security to wear all afro-hairstyles without restriction or judgment.
Ashdon Jazz Academy supports The Halo Code