Skills
Development Center
The Skills Development Centre has witnessed another eventful
and successful year. We have worked with over 100 young
people who are underachieving at school, lack motivation,
and are at risk of offending to provide a culturally appropriate
computing and social education programme.
We have continued to provide accredited
CLAIT computing courses in our Computer Center. In 2002
we also created a purpose built Study Library room, consisting
of various literature to assist National Curriculum and
academic subjects, as well as magazines, journals, and
tapes relevant to young people and issues that affect
them. The Study library is also used for Homework Support
sessions and Careers Advice workshops. Qualified staff
are available at weekends to offer study and careers advice
for 14-25 year olds.
The aim of the workshops is to
prepare young adults for work. CV creation and letter
writing sessions also prepare users for job applications.
Our good ties with Kensington and Chelsea College, Nottingdale
Technology Centre, Holland Park School Inclusion Project,
and the RBKC Youth Offending Team allows are specialist
tutors to refer our users to these agencies.
MCWG has worked closely with the
Local Authority’s Community Education Dept. to be
part of the new Connexions Strategy. We are in the process
of training 2 of our youth workers to gain the relevant
Diploma and become Connexions Personal Advisors at our
Center. They will be able to give skilled guidance and
counseling on various issues around education, employment
training, and social problems.
The
Internet Club on Thursday evenings has been further developed,
and is accessed by over 100 young people. We have particularly
encouraged novices, and those less confident with the
Internet “craze”, and allowed them to appreciate
the diverse and exciting nature of the World Wide Web.
Users have used our Internet Club for things such as academic
research, as well as recreational use. The network system
allows staff to monitor individual browsing on the Internet
if necessary.
Girls’
Computing Club
The Moroccan Community Welfare Group has further consolidated
projects for young women and other excluded groups in
the community. In 2002 we began running a Girls’
IT Club. The project has proved extremely successful,
and involves young women learning key IT skills and creating
their own Web Page. This activity has also allowed excluded,
disaffected women to come together and gain confidence
and motivation.
Mother
Tongue Classes
In September 2002 we began the much-demanded Arabic classes
for 16-25 year olds. The classes are attended by 18 people
and have a cultural and artistic theme, with participants
learning poetry, folk tales, and translating English stories.
Youth
Off Site Recreational Activities
Many of the Skills Development Centre members also participate
in our off site activities. In 2002/2003 these included
the following:
Residential
Trip
In May 2002 a 22 young people were taken to the Forest
of Dean, Gloucestershire. Participants were given the
opportunity to visit historic places, as well as trekking
through the Forest. Activities included rock-climbing/abseiling,
horse riding, and kayaking. The residential went along
way in giving a sense of confidence, identity and belonging
to socially excluded young people.
London
Science Museum-
in October 2002 15 youths (12-16yrs) attended a special
event at the Museum, when they were invited to record
their own radio programme. The participants were taught
how to use the sound editing equipment, and by the end
of the session had produced their very own programme.
Scuba
Diving-
In March 2003 10 youths (12-18yrs) took part in a unique
Scuba Diving activity was organized in conjunction with
the RBKC Youth Service and Holland Park School. The youths
were shown how to use equipment, and correct techniques
for deep diving. The event was extremely enjoyable.
Paintballing
in June 2002 20 young people (16+) participated in a thrilling
paintballing event in Effingham.
Over
the past year MCWG has also continued to run its Swimming
Club at Kensington Leisure Centre every Sunday for children
and adults. We have also run football sessions every Thursday
at Westway Sports Centre for
8-14 year olds, and an adult session on Monday evenings.
These activities have continued to be extremely popular.
Rock Climbing and Canoeing have continued to be held at
Canalside House. Youth Club members are alternately taken
to Rock Climbing during the winter months, and change
to Canoeing during the summer.
2nd London Muslim Football Tournament
On 30 March 2003 MCWG held the 2nd London Muslim 5-a-side
Football Championships at the Westway Centre, W10. The
event proved extremely popular, with 20 teams taking part.
The event succeeded in uniting people from many diverse
cultures, and allowed disaffected people to participate
in a challenging community event, and instilling in them
a sense of confidence and motivation. Teams players originated
from all corners of the globe; Somalia, Saudi Arabia,
Nigeria, Eritrea, Sudan, Egypt, Uganda and Morocco, thus
resembling the World Cup rather than an amateur tournament
in London.
Social Welfare Project
MCWG has continued to provide its Social Welfare Project,
providing advice and consultation with community members.
Our office is now available 5 evenings a week for public
users to drop in, and get letters translated and typed.
Training
In January 2003 MCWG provided a specialist cultural training
seminar for 50 people before they attended the annual
Hajj pilgrimage. The training provided expert advice on
how to perform the pilgrimage, as well as important information
on travel, necessary documents, vaccinations, health and
safety abroad, and food hygiene issues. Participants were
provided with a Good Practice Pilgrimage Guide, translated
into Arabic and Urdu.
