|
|
|
|
November has been another exciting month in EYST as we continue to grow and develop to support our clients across Wales. In the busyness of our work sometimes we can get lost in the doing; but it is important that we take the time to reflect on our work, why we do what we do and the people who help us get there. Trustees Week gave us the opportunity to celebrate our wonderful board of Trustees who have provided great support throughout the years to keep us pointed in the right direction, and focused on our wider goal of impacting the lives of others. During November, we also had the opportunity to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of our third longest serving member of Staff, the amazing Aliya who has been the bedrock of our Asylum Support in Swansea during this time. When we stop and reflect, inspiration can be found all around us!
We want to say a special thank you to our amazing team of Staff, Volunteers, Trustees, Funders and Partners who make all the great work happen!
#TogetherStronger
Helal Uddin & Lloyd Williams
EYST Co-Directors
|
|
EYST is a charity for the people, supported by the people. To continue the important work we do, every little donation helps.
Donate today: http://bit.ly/donateEYST
|
|
|
|
We Celebrated our Trustees!
|
|
|
|
|
Our Trustees from L-R: Shehla Khan (Chair), Fatiha Rahman, Korina Tsioni, Tahirah Ali, Mohamed Azim Ahmed
|
|
We kicked off November by celebrating our fabulous Trustees via #TrusteesWeek! On the same week, we happened to have our Board Meeting which meant a few of us were able to meet in-person - this time in our Cardiff office! The yellow wall has become a bit of a trademark in our team photos recently, and we couldn't miss this opportunity to show it again. Hear what some of our newest trustees have to say about being a Trustee:
|
|
|
|
Being a trustee means that we are at the forefront of change especially during these changing times. EYST has been a large part of my youth and I am grateful that the crucial work can carry on in order to help others.
Young people can have a big part in shaping their future with the right support and guidance. EYST has and continuously demonstrates their ability to push forward change within the minority community.
- Tahirah Ali, Trustee
|
|
|
I am proud to be a trustee with EYST for a year now. Being a Trustee with EYST is an honourable role, as I am trusted to take part in important decision making regarding the direction and strategic governance of the organisation. It is a huge responsibility, but it is also a joyful and rewarding journey, which enables me to learn a lot as well as contribute. I find the work being delivered very inspiring as EYST makes a noticeable difference in people's lives in Wales.
- Korina Tsioni, Trustee
|
|
|
Aliya Celebrates 10 Years with EYST in Sanctuary-Supporting Role!
|
|
|
The Team celebrated Aliya's 10-Year Anniversary working for EYST, particularly in supporting Asylum seekers and Refugees. Our Sanctuary Service would not be where it is today without Aliya's help and determination to make a difference in people's lives, big and small. To celebrate the occasion, we provided food and a personalised cake for Aliya (pictured above, cutting the cake!) - here's to many more years. Thank you Aliya!
Other highlights for the Sanctuary team include our Share Tawe Project Officer Awder, having participated and chaired an Exec Welsh Refugee Coalition meeting where he raised the importance of Free Transportation for Refugees - an important factor for refugees settling in Wales.
For more information, please get in touch with Nadir@eyst.org.uk
|
|
|
EYST Joined Children in Need on a Hike!
|
|
|
|
|
Our Wrexham Youth Team joined Derek the Weatherman on a hike as part of Children in Need!
|
|
As Children in Need took place mid-November, we saw EYST feature on a BBC One Wales programme as part of '2022: Weatherman Walking for Children in Need'. The premise of the show follows legendary weather broadcaster Derek Brockway (otherwise known as Derek the Weatherman), hike for 9 miles between Wrexham and Hope Mountain while meeting local people along the way. The Wrexham Youth Team joined Derek on part of his hike earlier this year to show our support, and in turn, Derek learned about EYST's work, part of which Children in Need vitally supports. We are very excited to see this programme now live!
You can catch the full episode here, where our feature starts from 49:10.
Well done to the Team for taking part to increase EYST's exposure in Wales and beyond! 👏🏽
For more information about our work in Wrexham, please get in touch with Lee@eyst.org.uk
|
|
|
Newport Youth Futures Makes Space at Maindee Primary!
|
|
|
|
Newport Youth Futures (NYF) have been busy with energetic drop-in sessions in Pill Mill, with the previous Tin Shed provision being relocated to Maindee Primary School… we are so excited to be in this new space and invite more young people to join us! Numbers have continued to increase at the drop-ins and this November had us recording an average of 35 young people on Mondays at Pillgwenlly and an average of 20 young people on Tuesdays at Maindee. For more information on accessing NYF activities if you are based in Newport, please contact either Moshin@eyst.org.uk, Chukwuemeka@eyst.org.uk or Rema@eyst.org.uk
With the cold season already here - NYF used some of the winter budget to buy some throws, blankets and gloves to provide to our young people. We have also been busy arranging and preparing for some upcoming trips in December such as go-karting, trampoline park and a joint BME CYP Newport trip as well. So far, we have enjoyed laser quest and a trip to SuperBowl...watch this space!
|
|
|
BME CYP Newport Delivers Again
|
|
|
|
|
Earlier in the month, the BME CYP Newport Team traveled down to meet staff at the Cardiff office!
|
|
BME CYP Newport have been busy this month working closely with food banks and providers – by delivering a presentation on the issues the communities face and culturally appropriate food parcels. Fatiha used research from her Masters Dissertation and this helped open conversation and meetings with other food providers. We have also worked with Feed Newport to collect food parcels and deliver these to families in need.
BME CYP Newport also delivered a parenting class to a women's group at the local mosque which was well-received.
We attended the Sites of Inclusion for Romani Arts to have a better understanding of the GRT community and their work – this was insightful and informative. We hope to learn more and work closer together in the near future.
Rema continues to work with Maindee Primary School delivering workshops and has seen a positive impact in the group. We hope this continues to equip the Girls Club with confidence, resilience, empathy and happiness!
For more information, please get in touch with Fateha@eyst.org.uk
|
|
|
All-round Successful Month for RRS!
|
|
|
|
L: Afghan Project worker Chris with Dads outside school in Welshpool
R: Firas fights - and wins - again! (Read more below)
|
|
|
In Pembrokeshire, Tammy has had travel document success! Using the 'We Are Digital' service, one of the Syrian families received support for their online application. The whole process took less than 8 weeks!
The Ystradgynlais team and Syrian families enjoyed a very wet day out at Folly Farm on 1st November. 34 people ran between cafes, barns and paddocks dodging heavy showers and catching brief sunny spells, but we all had fun and made some new friends throughout the day.
The Syrian projects in Llandrindod and Newtown are doing well with most male clients now in employment and most female clients in ESOL provision or training.
The Afghan project in Welshpool has been successful at last with British Gas issues and we have also supported clients with Here2Help support, Winter Fuel payment applications & payments, support for driving theory & tests, school visits over bullying and generally with reducing energy costs.
Firas, a Syrian refugee living in Carmarthenshire has taken an interest in kickboxing. He has had a few fights now and has won them all quite convincingly! The community love watching him fight because of his aggressive style and his dynamic walk outs. A very exciting entertainer as well as a fighter. Watch this space for more updates! 😄
For more information, please get in touch with Deborah@eyst.org.uk
|
|
|
RRP Busy with Forums and Sponsors
|
|
|
The changing colour of the leaves and getting cosy, what’s not to love about Autumn! Admittedly, this year, the whole of UK has to contend with soaring heating bills (along with other price rises), a challenge for those who are most vulnerable in our society.
As we bid farewell to November, the last of the Autumn months, Forums with clients and Sponsors were the main focus. We held a forum for Sponsors currently hosting Ukrainian individuals and families. We also held separate forums for clients being hosted and also clients on the super sponsor routes. It was an opportunity to look at what has gone well, what hasn’t and also an opportunity to hold a questions and answer session.
We continue receiving updates that people are getting jobs - full time and part time - which is very encouraging to hear in the current economic climate. Our clients are guided both by the Employment Hub in the Quadrant and Swansea Job centre.
We continue to work with Gower College, Adult Learning Wales and Swansea University for ESOL courses and other courses such as IELTS.
We are very grateful for having the support of our partners Citizen Advice and Welfare Rights who we count on.
An induction took place for the newer Afghan families that had arrived; it was a little overdue owing to how busy we were on the Homes for Ukraine project. One last Forum to hold for this year for our Syrian clients and families from Home Offices other Resettlement Schemes.
For more information, please email Sorupa@eyst.org.uk
|
|
|
Wrexham Youth Team Prepare to Get Active!
|
|
|
November was the month of kicking off some projects and putting others into practice. We successfully received funding from Street Games Wales via the Fit & Fed funding, which will allow our young people access to healthy food and games to keep them feeling active and fit. Furthermore, we will be learning how to play cricket with the Cricket Wales team who will give us training and provide equipment so that we can practice at our drop-ins.
The surprises didn't stop there! Our young people took the initiative and will participate in two projects: Firstly, 7 youngsters will take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Silver six months program; and in another instance, the Cynefin Fund from Youth Cymru will carry out a social action aiming to improve the mobility of young people and their families to the city centre in a way to access our provision and to increase their involvement in the activities and actions that we develop.
Lastly in our update, we give a warm welcome to a new member of staff Ahmed, who joins us as part of the EYST family!
For more information about the project, please email Arlete@eyst.org.uk
|
|
|
🎉
Great news for one of our families in Wrexham as they have received their refugee status after arriving in May this year! We have also helped a client to secure a flat after living in a temporary hotel for over 6 months while funds from the Local Authority for a bed and household items helped to initially settle them in. Our families have additionally been enjoying accessing free music therapy sessions at Wrexham Sounds. A really successful month all around!
|
|
|
|
BME Sport Project Seeing Positive Numbers
|
|
|
|
The numbers on the BME Sport Project continue to go from strength to strength thanks to our Project Officer Nicky! Sporting activities in Swansea have increased along with positive partnerships built to increase sports access for ethnic minority young people and communities. The partnerships include Sport Wales, Welsh Fencing, Welsh Rugby Union, Badminton Wales and Cricket Wales! Here are just a few of the highlights worth mentioning:
- 8 new young sports volunteers were inducted.
- The Zone Project at Swansea Mosque started with 53 young people attending the first week!
- 15 young people have been joining us on average for weekly badminton sessions
- Weekly all-female basketball sessions have also commenced as well as football sessions with Swansea Foundation.
|
|
|
|
Jess and Lisa at the Festival of Journalism
|
|
Our Community Journalism Project in partnership with The Peoples Newsroom, continues to build on partnerships and create exciting new media.
This month, see the 2nd edition of Xcellence Magazine created and going to print! Created By Donna Ali (one of our participants), it is the first magazine dedicated to ethnic minorities in Wales. The magazine includes exclusive interviews, news of events, projects, and exciting features from different sectors. Several other participants have had their input including Tia Camilleri who is the Media Research Assistant.
Lisa and Jess also attended the Festival of Journalism, which was 3 days of learning with incredible guest speakers. In addition, Lisa has been busy researching and writing for Voice.Wales, taking her learning from strength to strength and independently reporting from events around South Wales.
Jess has also been busy with her new slot on Radio Cardiff where she interviews guests weekly. Soon all of this will be available for everyone to hear as part of an EYST PODCAST - so keep your eyes peeled!
If you would like to find out anymore about the project and community journalism - or highlight your project on Radio Cardiff, please contact Jess@eyst.org.uk
|
|
|
Last Forum Held on All Wales Team!
|
|
|
|
|
We held our last All Wales Forum with over 130 people in attendance - becoming our all-time highest record to date!
|
|
|
This month, the All Wales Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic Engagement Team ran the project’s last forum, with discussions focussed on the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan, getting attendees thinking of how they can contribute to making Wales an anti-racist nation by 2030. A big thank you to our EYST colleague, Lee Tiratira; Welsh Governments’ Riaz Hassan; and Swansea Council's Jennifer Harding-Richards for their contributions as Panel Members and for all attendees who gave time to join us.
The high attendance and success of the forum was bittersweet for us - knowing it would be the last one that we'd be running as a Team. Please keep a lookout in December for a Special Edition Newsletter to celebrate the achievements from the past 5 years of running the Programme! We haven’t quite finished yet though… we plan to run two awareness sessions in December. All details below, and we look forward to seeing you there.
|
|
|
On 9th and 16th December, we will be looking at Employment Barriers for Refugees, and how to break them down. This free event is open to anyone with an interest. Registration links as follows:
9th December - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvd-irqDMrHdYNSPMDGzOiUagmHaCXc6WY
16th December - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUud-ypqD0vEt0vtJQwIsVd_ie6q59WHvDP
Follow us on Twitter for forum related notifications @AllWalesEYST
For more information, please contact Selima@eyst.org.uk
|
|
|
Multi-lingual Helpline Wales team gets stuck in with Networking!
|
|
|
|
November has seen the Helpline team attend a number of networking events. This included an invitation to Cardiff Volunteer Awards event organised by C3SC at Butetown Community Centre, and the opportunity to hold a stall at Swansea Waterfront Museum as part of World Children's Day.
Based on records received from the organisers for the latter: A total of 35 schools attended the event (10 secondary and 25 primary schools) with a total of 140 children and 40 teaching staff. In total, 250 people were in attendance including all stall holders, staff, councillors and speakers!
Perhaps what was most memorable was the ‘Guess the Language’ game that got some teachers present at the event to think about starting ‘Language of the month’ in their schools. Just for fun, we've attached our own version below!
|
|
|
An important update: Our leaflets are now available in Ukrainian (see below) which are ready to be sent out to other colleagues and organisations around Wales.
|
|
|
📌
We are currently requesting the following: A Somali translator/interpreter to help translate the Helpline leaflet to Somali Language through your connections. Please share this news!
|
|
|
|
Other updates are around the various networking events we have attended in the past month:
- 3rd November: Helpline Partnerships AGM
- 10th November: National Theatre Wales EYST Partnership
- 15th November: Diverse5050 Campaign hosted by EYST in Swansea
- 17th November: C3SC (Cardiff 3rd Sector Council) Cardiff Volunteer Awards 2022
- 21st November: World Children’s Day event (Swansea Council)
- 28th November: National Theatre Wales EYST Partnership
- 30th November: Dar-ul Isra Mosque Career Fair, Cardiff
For more information, please email helpline@eyst.org.uk
|
|
We're now on AmazonSmile!
Every time you make a purchase on Amazon, they will donate a small percentage of your sale to our important work 😊 Simply visit AmazonSmile and follow instructions to select ‘Ethnic Youth Support Team’ as your chosen charity.
Support us to make our vision of Wales where everyone is welcomed, valued and can contribute, a reality.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
