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What it's all about

The Centre is based in Birmingham. The lady who runs the centre is trully inspirational and has a strong vision to help the Birmingham Somali Community, namely women, single mothers, children, the elderly and disabled. I found it impossible not to get involved because of how passionate she is. Their aim is to build bridges between Somali women and children and the wider Birmingham public. At the moment it is just one lady that is voluntarily running the project along with a few other volunteers, so I am trying to help out however I can. Although it is a centre for Somali women, they are working closely with similar centres aimed at supporting other nationalities, to try to break down barriers.

In the past they have been able to run a homework club for children and young people as well as educational visits to local interesting sites, but they have now run out of funding, and because there is just one lady running the project, she is finding it difficult to pursue futher funding opportunities, and so this is an area that I am also helping out with.

I really feel that I would love to give the Centre a bit of a makeover, as this would really help the project to become more sustainable. It may also mean that some of the rooms could be rented out, to provide some extra revenue. Although I am trying to 'blag' things such as paint and various bits and bobs, some money would really help out with this project. My aim is to then recruit friends and family as well as people from the centre, to help out on a day of volunteering, to transform the centre! It would be fantastic if we could achieve this first and then I would carry on volunteering with the Centre to try to extend what the centre is currently providing, which is mainly advice sessions and occasional trips for women at the moment. We would also love to set up Sewing classes for the women, and I am also trying to find people that no longer use or need their sewing machines and could donate them! There are many many other ideas that we have; setting up a Community Cafe, cultural sessions for young people so that they can understand their heritage and background as well as getting the homework club running again. Newly arrived children often find school very difficult due to a different language and system, many Somali children did not have schooling before coming to England, being able to have extra support in culturally senstitive surroundings would be a real support and it would also be beneficial to volunteers also.

I get such a buzz from working with this project, and seeing just how much the Centre is already benefiting the local community, and also seeing the huge potential it has and this is why I am getting so involved with it, and trying to help out as much as I can.

If anyone has any ideas of things that may help us, then I'd love to hear them!

What's needed to make it a reality

Ideally some funding would really help with ensuring that the makeover can happen. Alternatively any advice about other places to find small pots of money, donated items, or any tips about going about these ideas would be really appreciated!