Community Connect Foundation is a Registered Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee Charity Registration No: 1083405: Company Limited by Guarantee No: 3796674

Community Connect Foundation. North Smethwick Resource Centre, Cambridge Road, Smethwick, B66 2HR. 0121 565 3311

That time of year is nearly upon us... We are proud to announce the annual Nowka Bais competition is coming back to Birmingham for the 9th year running!Introduced to the UK in 2007, Nowka Bais is the traditional form of boat racing that originated in rural villages of Bangladesh. The brightly colored dragon style boats are 40-feet long and have a 16-man crew that rows in time to the vessel’s drummer.This year, the annual Nowka Bais competition will be held at Edgebaston Reservoir in Birmingham on Sunday, July 16, 2017.The venue opens at 11 a.m. and races are scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. Up to 21 teams will compete in races throughout the day, with the final contest of rowing speed and skill taking place at 5:30 p.m. Cash prizes, medals and certificates will be awarded to the top three winning

teams. The best dressed most entertaining team will also receive a prize.The Nowka Bais event will celebrate the cultural diversity of Birmingham with colourful and exciting activities for all the city’s communities to participate in and enjoy throughout the year. A fun fair and sports activities will also be featured, along with rowing and sailing taster sessions. There is no admission fee and free parking is available at a variety of selected locations.

The Nowka Bais will be highlighted by a comprehensive array of vendors offering arts, crafts, international cuisine, and gourmet street food from Bangladesh.

Those who wish to reserve a vendor stall can do so online.

Please visit http://www.nowkabais.co.uk/teams-info to take part in this year’s Nowka Bais!

Community Connect

IN THIS EDITION

COME AND JOIN THE FUN AT OUR 9TH ANNUAL NAWKA BAIS COMPETITION!

communityconnectfoundation

communityconnectfoundation

communityconnectfoundation

June 2017

Inspiring People, Realising Potential

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WHAT’S ON

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Meet Our Team

North Smethwick Resource Centre

Cambridge Road

Smethwick

B66 2HR

Johur Uddin

Chief Officer

Jalal Uddin

Centre Manager

Toslima Nasrin

Customer Service Advisor

Soyfur Rahman

Community Advice worker

Abdul Quddos

Men’s Development Worker

Arina Begum & Syeda Amirun Nessa

Health Development Worker

Rezina Choudhury

Women’s Development Worker

Fatima Shereen

Women’s Development Worker

Mohammed Saleem

Fundraising Manager

Ajid

Youth Worker

Smethwick Bangladeshi Youth Forum is a Registered Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee Charity Registration No: 1083405: Company Limited by Guarantee No: 3796674

Taz Uddin

Useful Numbers

Smethwick Police Station Piddock Road, Smethwick 0845 1135000

Emergency Health Centre 0121 556 0260

Agewell (help for individuals 50+) 0121 289 3038

RK Pharmacy 90 Lewisham Road 0121 555 6123

Emergency out of hours Homelessness 0121 525 4688

Transeco (Gas Emergencies) 0800 111 999

Emergency Sewege/Drainage (Severn Trent) 0800 783 4444

South Staffs (Leaks) 0800 243 352

Emergency out of hours Repairs 0800 783 4444

Neighbourhood Office 0121 569 6000

Welfare Rights (Free Benefits Check) 0121 569 3158

Meet Our Team

North Smethwick Resource Centre

Cambridge Road

Smethwick

B66 2HR

Johur Uddin

Chief Officer

Jalal Uddin

Centre Manager

Toslima Nasrin

Customer Service Advisor

Soyfur Rahman

Community Advice worker

Abdul Quddos

Men’s Development Worker

Arina Begum & Syeda Amirun Nessa

Health Development Worker

Rezina Choudhury

Women’s Development Worker

Fatima Shereen

Women’s Development Worker

Mohammed Saleem

Fundraising Manager

Ajid

Youth Worker

Smethwick Bangladeshi Youth Forum is a Registered Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee Charity Registration No: 1083405: Company Limited by Guarantee No: 3796674

Taz Uddin

Useful Numbers

Smethwick Police Station Piddock Road, Smethwick 0845 1135000

Emergency Health Centre 0121 556 0260

Agewell (help for individuals 50+) 0121 289 3038

RK Pharmacy 90 Lewisham Road 0121 555 6123

Emergency out of hours Homelessness 0121 525 4688

Transeco (Gas Emergencies) 0800 111 999

Emergency Sewege/Drainage (Severn Trent) 0800 783 4444

South Staffs (Leaks) 0800 243 352

Emergency out of hours Repairs 0800 783 4444

Neighbourhood Office 0121 569 6000

Welfare Rights (Free Benefits Check) 0121 569 3158

Welcome to our SUMMER NEWSLETTER

FOR THE YOUNGER AND MOST

DEFINITLEY WISER..

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• What have the ladies been up too?

• Learning at CCF

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• Careers Fair

• The Wild Wild Outdoors

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• For the younger and most definitely wiser

Shapla Salique is one of Britain’s most successful British Bangladeshi Artists and Community Connect Foundation are proud to be working in partnership with Town Hall, Legacy WM to bring her to Birmingham to perform at the Birmingham Town Hall on Sunday 23 July.

After a fascinating performance at

the world famous Wilton’s Music Hall, Shapla Salique and her Jazz band, this show will be Shapla’s very first time in Birmingham. Mixing traditional Bengali music with jazz and funk is what she describes as the perfect blend of east and west.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.thsh.co.uk/event/shapla-salique#tab0=ticket-offers

WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING?

CCF runs homework support class during term time every Saturday for young people aged 11 – 16 years old.

The support classes have been well received; we get a regular attendance of 30 young people every Saturday and receive support from qualified teachers on their school work.

The feedback from the students has been very positive; as the difference in educational attainment for many students has been encouraging. Many young people have grown in confidence and are doing extremely well in school.

MONDAY: Benefit Advice 9am – 12pmHealth and Fitness 10am – 11:30 ESOL Entry Level 1 (writing) 9am – 12pmESOL Entry Level 2 (writing) 9am – 12pmESOL for men (Speaking and Listening)

11:30am – 1:30pm

TUESDAY:Benefit Advice 9am – 12pmESOL Informal (pre entry) 9:30 – 12pmJob Club 9:30am – 11:30am

WEDNESDAYBenefit advice 9am – 12pmICT Entry Level 3 – 9am – 12pmWork Skills Level 1 Diploma 9:30am – 1pmElderly Exercise (ladies only) 12pm – 1pm

THURSDAYBenefit Advice 9am – 12pmWork Skills Level 1 9:30am – 12:30pmElderly Exercise (ladies only) 12pm – 1pmZumba exercise 5pm - 6pm

FRIDAYBenefit advice 9am – 12pmJob Club 10am – 12pm

On Thursday 20th April 2017 a careers jobs fair was held at CCF. A number of host organisations attended the event ranging from Sandwell and Walsall College, Apprenticeships Providers to Job Search Providers.

The event was well attended with a number of young people attending the event.

The event provided jobseekers and students an opportunity to seek and accumulate valuable information to make informed choices about their future.

The event also empowered many attendees to find career pathways.

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The women’s development team have had a jam packed year, with lots of exciting activities to engage and empower the women.

These activities ranged from accredited qualifications and non-accredited courses designed to up skill the women accessing our services and included classes such as Aerobics, Zumba, Bollywood Dance workshops and gardening projects.

In fact, our Bollywood dance class instructor, Bambi is a local female Bangra singer and choreographer and has now moved onto becoming a member of a girl band Miss Treats in Britain’s Got Talent. This has made a positive impact on the woman that participated in her workshop, as they found her to be very inspirational and motivational.

The Women’s development team also organise classes with Galton Valley Primary School in English reading and writing. Congratulations to some of our learners who we are very proud of as they recently passed their exams!

If you are interested in registering for English classes please visit Anuara at the office or call 0121 565 3311

The Womens Development team have also been working on the Bridges project which aims to support clients on a one to one mentoring service, helping increase their employability skills and secure employment. If you are interested in joining our activities please call on 0121 565 3311 or pop into the office to see Shabena

CAREERS FAIR

THE WILD WILD OUTDOORS

WHAT HAvE THE LADIES BEEN UP TOO?!

LEARNING AT COMMUNITY CONNECT FOUNDATION

Learning at Community Connect Foundation

We have recently completed 2 of our Work skills training courses in partnership with Galton Valley Primary School and Ileys community centre.

Our learners were thrilled with the support they had received which helped them to get closer to the job

market. They very kindly gifted our tutor Shariq Sultan with some lovely gifts and were extremely keen for the class to continue!

If you are interested in joining the WorkSkills course, or are interested to find out about any other classes we deliver, please contact Shariq at Community Connect Foundation or pop into the office to see him

CCF have also teamed up with National Trust where we have provided young people with opportunities to learn all about bush craft and how to survive in wild country.

These experiences have been life changing for many young people as they previously have not had the opportunity to engage in these kinds of activities.

For many young people this is an extra-curricular activity which enhances their self-confidence and provides inspiration to explore new surroundings