Easter joy for 38 families… but more support needed for isolated youths

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With most places and services experiencing lock-down and limit in services, Fearless Youth Association (FYA) distributed packs of food over the Easter weekend to 43 families, youths and young people across Nottingham.

Bread, vegetables, canned food and Easter eggs made the bulk of the items distributes. Mobile phone and internet data top-up were also given to some of the most desperate families in Radford, St Anne’s, Sneinton and Lenton areas.

 

We are also supporting young people with virtual training, job applications and accessing support in the city.

Despite these supplies, we are receiving increasing requests for resources to support the young people to engagement and lead active lifestyles.

Dan, one of the young who uses FYA studios said that, “We are miss a chance to come out and work in the Basement studio or just link up with our friends. It is sometimes maddening staying with family at home, but I guess it is for our own good.”

The young people and some families are asking for resources to keep their young people busy and productive and to reduce conflicts in small confirmed spaces.

FYA, in conjunction with Nottingham Covid-19 support network are appealing for help with creative materials including artistic resources and digital media materials.

“We are also looking to expand our ambassadors and mentoring programs and would love to hear from individuals and organisations interested in joining us in this work. We believe though the times are tough, many young people are busy looking for ways to better their lives and we are ready to support them any time.” Said Angela, the Manager of Fearless Youth Association.

For more information on youth support available or the ways in which you can engage with the youths on training, employment and “Safe Space”, please contact Angela on info@fyaonline.com or call 01157846670.

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Nottingham COVID-19 Support Network Launched

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Press release 14th April 2020
Nottingham COVID-19 Support Network Formed to facilitate help to African, Caribbean and Middle Eastern Communities.

Mojatu Foundation has joined five other organisations to create a support network for new and emerging communities across Nottingham to deal with the immediate, and ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Foundation is working in partnership with Fearless Youth Association (FYA), Inspired-Succeed CIC, FMB Radio, Let’s Shine and Give a Smile, and Global African Integration Network (GAIN) Diaspora.

Together, they are providing food and essential deliveries, support in accessing benefits, continuing online mental health support, and a range of training programmes. Working with local foodbanks and supermarkets, a team of volunteers have begun receiving referrals from the council, as well as online, and supplying them with essential goods.

A local Kenyan resident had two children and a husband sick at home, and the family were all self-isolating. She said, “I really want to say big thank you to Mojatu staff who brought in food for my family during this time of isolation, my family has undergone some serious testing but with friends standing with us we shall overcome. They even helped us to get a birthday cake for my son’s 7th birthday”.

BME communities make up 34.7% of the population of Nottingham, however, recent news has shown that these populations have been hit particularly hard by the virus. Together, these organisations aim to ensure that local populations receive essential supplies, that they are treated with kindness and dignity, and continue their important roles as members of the local community.

So far, the network has been delivering up to sixty food parcels a day and believe the demand will increase significantly over the coming weeks. Importantly, they intend to provide ongoing support to ensure their communities receive essential and long-term care.

For information on how to access the service for food or training support, one need to complete I Need Help form while those seeking to volunteer should complete the Here To Help form.

For more information about the network, our work or media enquiries on this press release, please visit Mojatu Foundation website on https://www.mojatufoundation.org or contact Frank on frank@mojatu.com or call 0115 8457 009.

 

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Mother and her 4 kids receive food and comfort

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A is a single mum who contacted the Nottingham City Council for seeking help was linked to us for help especially due to language and culturally sensitive support.

With four young children at home, it was not possible for the mum to easily go to the shops to get their essentials, particularly with conflicting stories about if she could take the children with her. She was also concerned about their health and the long ques that she was seeing in the shops.

The council put her in touch with Mojatu Foundation team for support, especially given her language and cultural requirements. The team texted and called the same day to check in with her, and make sure she was doing ok and to confirm the items she required. She was especially delighted by the speed with which the Mojatu support team and the Nottingham City Council staff responded and dealt with her case.

She said it was nice to have someone to talk to and to know that people cared. The team made her laugh and made the situation seem manageable. They agreed with her that they could bring a delivery of food a few days later. They also put her in contact with a local driver who could bring milk and bread as she could not get out.

After delivering her food, the team have stayed in touch to make sure she was ok. The experience made her feel supported, and reassured to know there was a community around her in Nottingham willing to help. 

The mother was full of praise to the team and she said that, “Mojatu team and Nottingham City Council really made me feel people in Nottingham care. I had never felt that before. Me and my children are now happier and safer that we know there are people we can call in Nottingham for support”.

 

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Mojatu Foundation launches new accredited training programmes for Kutambua Project. The new training programmes, run with partners Fearless Youth Association and FarmEco Community Care Farm, will officially be launched this October.

Mojatu Foundation have been working with local BME and new and emerging communities for the last five years, and currently run training courses including media training, and driving theory, particularly focussing on supporting asylum seekers and refugees.

Kutambua, the name for the training programmes means They are also well recognises for their training with the NHS, schools and faith leaders around FGM awareness.

Valentine Nkoyo, CEO of Mojatu said, “We are so proud to be able to develop our training and support more people from our communities. We want to be able to keep providing opportunities for support, volunteering and training to ensure that BME community members understand their value and have the best possible opportunities.”

Mojatu has become a recognised centre to offer Open Awards qualifications in the following courses from now until end of 2020 in the following categories:
1. Health, Public Services & Care
2. Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Care
3. Arts, Media and Publishing
4. Preparation for Life & Work

Training opportunities are varied and offer opportunities for everyone, including learning how to become a radio presenter, CV writing and agro-forestry.

Mojatu Foundation, who were instrumental in getting Nottingham City to declare Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in 2016, are now looking at how best to accredit their FGM training.

Click for more information about Mojatu Foundation.  Or to find out about joining or referring someone to the training: info@mojatu.com

To find out more about their work, or book FGM training: edith@mojatu.com

Partners:
Fearless Youth Association, FYA: http://www.fyaonline.com/
Farmeco Community Care Farm: https://farmeco.co.uk/

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