Successful youth projects from community group EncouragingYou

Date published: 15 September 2023

A new community group based in Rochdale has held two successful projects.

EncouragingYou aims to get young people more active through activities and projects but also work with all communities. Projects will consist of educational trips, sports, seminars, events and much more.

The first project was a youth residential trip to the Isle of Wight for five days and four nights. The trip included numerous activities such as rock climbing, hiking, zip wiring and sports tournaments.

The group worked in partnership with the National Citizen Service to deliver a programme to support young people on their journeys into adulthood, using the outdoors as a vehicle for learning and personal development.

Founder Saddam Hussain said: “I would like to thank all the team leaders involved, especially Hassan Ali, who manages our projects. He has bought his experience in to this organisation, [and I] look forward to be working alongside him on much more projects.”

EncouragingYou also saw over 2,000 people attend their ‘Gangster’s Paradise’ event at Jalalia Jaame Mosque last month which saw Akhi Ayman speak about his past life on the streets, involving time in prison.

Ayman has attracted thousands of followings on social media for his talks and teaching about the consequences of knife crime.

One of the volunteers said they had “never seen a mosque this busy” with people gathering outside the venue.

Hassan Ali, who hosted the event, said: “To see so many youths was amazing. If this event has even changed one young life for the better, that's success.

“Events like these are much needed in Rochdale and it’s an honour to be part of this organisation and be able to work alongside them so we can bring bigger and better projects to our youths and communities.”