Past projects
Talent Match
SDS created a work club for the people that were previously coming in and asking for help with their job search. This work club was held every Thursday from 12pm-3pm and was designed to help people learn basic ICT skills and search for the jobs with the help of a personal advisor.
The areas in which they have been mostly assisted were filling in job search booklets, job application forms, contacting employers and improving their employability skills such as sending them on short vocational training, ICT and English skills. Support was offered to young people from 18 to 24. The Talent Match project supported a grand total of 53 young people. There was also an expansion of free courses, including English, food and hygiene, cookery, Health and safety, and First Aid, that some of our young people have managed to benefit from.
Anti-FGM Campaign
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), cutting or Clitoridectomy (medical term), is a process which involves the complete or partial removal of the external female Genitalia (clitoris) or other injuries which may be caused to the female genital organs for reasons other than that of therapeutic or medical. Immediate complications are severe pain, shock, bleeding, tetanus or sepsis, urine retention, open sores in the genital region and injury to nearby genital tissue. Long-term consequences include recurrent bladder and urinary tract infection, infertility, an increased risk of childbirth complications and new-born deaths.
SDS Activities:
We worked with community advocates who were involved in outreach work to raise awareness of the harms and effects of FGM, and of the law and services for women affected by FGM. We also provided awareness-raising workshops with women, young people and men, produced and distributed brochures and leaflets, worked with local religious leaders and scholars at 5 mosques to raise awareness that FGM is not a religiously condoned practice and among many other things.
Success:
We reached vast numbers of women affected by FGM, providing referrals and support to access care. Raised awareness of the health effects of FGM, the illegality of FGM in the UK, and increased the number of women campaigning against and rejecting FGM. We worked collaboratively with health professionals in community workshops, and shared information, and expertise with other organisations.
SEE, HEAR, RESPOND – BARNADO’S
Along with the well-known charity, Barnado’s, this project was initially set up help young people reintegrate into education, especially those struggling with language learning. As part of the program, we assigned them specific teachers who specialize in teaching English to newcomers in the community. As time went on these students’ language skills improved. Beyond that we helped the teenagers with other skills, such as applying for jobs, referring them to job agencies, helping them build a CV and recommending them to places. Overall, the students reported to having an improved sense of wellbeing on their mental health, their education, and their ability to learn and pick up new skills.
There were three components of the project, dealing with three specific skill areas: Digital Support, Youth Interventions and Reintegration into Education. SDS carried out assessments of each child and family prior to engaging them in the project, so we would know the area that needed the most development. The project was an overwhelming success, as we reached our required targets. This is particularly noteworthy, as some of these students are hard to reach children from socially, economically, and culturally deprived background.