1.    Health and well-being- Supporting the community to address key issues and concerns towards improving healthy living and development

2.    Advice, Information and Advocacy- Implementation of Anti Poverty strategy, which deals with most disadvantaged individuals through developing and expanding advice, information, counselling, advocacy, representation and signposting, services

3.    Youth Empowerment and Development and Education- Promoting positive pathways into inclusion in employment, education and entrepreneurship through innovative approaches and intervention.

4.    Women’s Empowerment and Development- Development and Implementation of a range of community involvement and empowerment strategies to increase women’s pride and individual self-confidence through improved skills, advice and personal development.

5.    Bangladeshi Community and Voluntary Sector Development- Establishment of an effective, sustainable and resourced Bangladeshi community and voluntary organisations that continues to work for the interest of people it serves

Some of the key roles offered to our volunteers are;

1.    Adviser- To be at the front-line of Centre’s work. This involves interviewing clients, advising them on possible solutions to their problems and sometimes negotiating on their behalf.

2.    Social Policy Work- Get involved in the proactive work that the centre does: Identifying issues, carrying out research and creating reports to lobby for changes in internal and external policy.

3.    Administration- Assist in the day to day running of the projects i.e. performing essential tasks such as typing letters, arranging meetings, keeping records answering the phone, photocopying and filing.

4.    Project Support- Assist project officers with day to day project development, implementation and evaluation of the projects such as delivery, monitoring and evaluation

5.    Outreach- Assist project officers with engagement, project promotions and as a key point of contact for the community such as organising community events/sessions, promotional materials, leafleting and attending meetings on behalf of the centre and its projects.

6.    Youth Worker – Assist in setting up of a Youth Club including registration forms, sessional attendance forms, conducting youth surveys and reporting on the needs of young people.

The project will work with families with children across the deprived neighbourhoods of Sandwell Borough, adopting good practices from across the country.

We hope to break the barriers to learning and show that learning is fun, can take place everywhere and can be enjoyed by everyone, whatever their age or interest. We will put all our efforts to raise achievement levels, expectations and aspirations of both children and adults.

Please click on each slide to find out more about this programme.

Smethwick’s Bangladeshi Islamic Centre (BIC) held an Eid Party to celebrate local learning and achievement.  The event was held on Saturday 10^th September at the North Smethwick Development Trust.  Even before doors opened at 1.00pm crowds gathered outside and flooded in over the next three hours.  Over 300 people attended and enjoyed the wide variety of free family learning experiences on offer.  Local artists provided exciting creative workshops for all the family, such as the flower making from bread and glass painting.  Henna artists, beauticians and masseuses treated the ladies whilst the children thoroughly enjoyed the bouncing castle, face painting and balloon modelling.  Free lunches were provided for local people and an array of stalls to purchase clothes, accessories and confectionary were available outdoors.

Women’s Development workers- Rehana Begum, Ruzina Begum and the Family Learning Tutor- Zhanara Begum held a presentation and awarded certificates and gifts to dedicated BIC volunteers, clients and learners; celebrating this year’s successes.

Counsellor Pam Randawa was present and judged the stiff fruit carving competition on the day.  All entrants to the competition had successfully completed the Fuit carving course run at BIC.

Family Learning Tutor-Zhanara Begum explained during the presentation that “although BIC runs free daily classes for children and adults as well as an advice and guidance service, we are eager for local people to help dictate the services and activities they want in the future”.

Local mother Sureha Jaigirdar said “my children and I have had a lovely day, it’s been so much fun.  I am looking forward to coming to some of the BIC classes soon”.

Centre manager Abdul Subhan was pleased that the event had been such a success and said “BIC has many activities currently running and new events being organised.  If you are interested please get in touch with us on 01215588204”.

Women were taught by a professional tutor how to create innovative designs with various fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, water melons, cucumbers and carrots.  This was a great way to teach new skills and educate about healthy eating for the family and empower women.

The sessions were free for locals and they all enjoyed the hands on learning experience.  Attendants on the fruit carving course felt they benefitted in many ways; some said they learnt new skills, whilst others said they enjoyed the social interaction as they were otherwise isolated. One women quoted “I feel empowered enough to go and set up my own enterprise” as a result of attending these sessions.

In order to give these women an opportunity to showcase the skills they have acquired, BIC has invited local women to participate in a competition, to design and present their fruit carving display in front of hundreds during the SWFITE (Supporting Women From Isolation to Empowerment) Launch in September.

BIC also held a small celebration event at the end of the Fruit Carving course, to which women brought food and fruits which they had prepared themselves. Rehana Begum, the Women’s Development worker said “it’s so pleasing to see isolated women of all ages come together and have fun and learn at the same time.” She recalls on the celebration day one elderly women phoned and said  that due to her personal circumstance she was unable partake in the food but wanted to come along to be with her newly made friends.

The Centre manager, Abdul Subhan, also a local resident  said, “As a local community activist I can clearly observe the overwhelming happiness and pride local women are engaging in at the moment. It is well documented that most of these women are faced with multiple deprivation and this programme has empowered them to become active and engaged citizens of the community. One grandmother told me, ‘I hired professionals at my children’s wedding to prepare the wedding thaal (decorative food platter) for the bride and groom. However, at my grandchildren’s wedding they will be eating a thaal made by their grandmother’. I feel proud that BIC played a part in this grandmother’s success story”.

There are many different services the Bangladeshi Islamic Centre provides. Please visit the website, www.bicentre.org.uk or call on 0121 5588204 to find out more about the services on offer.