Muslim Youth, Sport & Education Forum, Merseyside

Our organisation arose because there was no culturally-appropriate provision for Muslims and Somali women in Liverpool. Therefore all our activities have arisen to ensure social inclusion of our women, children and young people. Originally based in women’s houses and providing a very limited range of activities, we decided to broaden our work - to reflect better the work we were carrying out with women from the Muslim community - by setting up the Muslim Women’s Youth, Sport & Education Forum in 1991 as a formal organisation with a focus on work with women and young people. We run activities for women & young people currently not participating in organised leisure activity; and educational activities - taking into account cultural, religious and other barriers that prevent them using existing facilities; organise activities to develop personal and social skillsand help towards intergration in employment, education and training. For most, English is their second language and activities provide a setting for ESOL and basic skills as an alternative to classroom learning. We provide education, study and peronal develoment support and advocacy over educational matters. We help develop emotional aspects odf learning, and run trauma counselling with access to holistic health facilities including canpaigning locally, regionally, nationally and everywhere against the practice of FGM, domestic violence and other crimes against women, promoting equality and economic mobility for women and a fairer society for all.