I visited the NatWest Community Force website and found out about Harehills Youth In Partnership – a brilliant project based in my area. Vote for them to win a 6,000 pound Community Force Award.

Community Force supports all kinds of local projects and charities throughout England and Wales. Why not have a look to see what's going on where you live? You can find out more, volunteer, or vote for your favourite projects.

Get involved and vote today, at http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/5422

Harehills Youth In Partnership needs your support to win this award.  We are urgent in need of a new base where young people can attend and also to continue our activities as mentioned on the community force site.

Please VOTE for US.

Thank You

HYIP

Asian Express March 2007-2nd Edition

 T: (front from left) Chief Supt Doherty,

 with other leading

YOUNGSTERS in Leeds have been developing their healing hands after taking part in a First Aid Course.  The group of 9-19year olds took part in the Junior First Aid Course through Harehills Youth in Partnership (HYIP) at the Pakistani Community Centre.  Run primarily for those interested in becoming future volunteers for HYIP, the course will give its students the essential experience for voluntary and community work.  Training was delivered by Leeds Metropolitan University and was funded by Connexions Small Grant, after the Pakistani Community Centre became a Connexions point January this year.

John Wilson, First Aid Trainer, was impressed with the HYIP group and said: “They were a very interesting group of people, enthusiastic about all aspects of the course and a pleasure to teach.”

Ahsaan Ali, 16, who together with his contemporaries is a qualified first aider for three years, said: “The course was good and very useful. I enjoyed it.”  Jamil Khan, HYIP development worker, Said: “When the youngsters see my first aid box at the Saturday football session they used to just see it as a box and plasters but since the course they have asked me, ‘Have we got this in our first aid box?”.

It is very encouraging that young people are being responsible and aware of what’s available. The training was fantastic and our thanks go to Connexions Small Grant. This is what our communities need more of; encouragement and confidence building support.” The Pakistani Community Centre is on Conway Road in Harehills.

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It wasn’t easy but a group of local lads have braved the wind and rain to walk 26 miles and gain their silver Duke of Edinburgh Award (Asian Express, Dec 2008-1^st Edition).

Young people from Harehills have put their physical endurance to the test and completed their Duke of Edinburgh Award.  Harehills Youth In Partnership organised for the 17 youngsters to undertake the challenge, which entailed walking 26 miles in two days, camping for two weekends and cooking their own food.  The organisation was keen for the youngsters to complete the award as it teaches them vital team orienteering skills and is looked upon favourably by employers and higher education establishments.

Group leader Shakiel Khan said: “Both of the two weekends were very challenging and I learned about how important it is to know how to survive with limited resources.  Teamwork also played a big part over the weekends”, he added.

The group’s experience over the two weekends was made even tougher by the torrential rain and bitter winds they had contend with. 

Jamil Khan, Harehills Youth In Partnership coordinator, explained, “The campsite was very wet and muddy and the night was very exhausting”.

“The next morning half the group turned and had had enough they wanted to go home, so they went home”.  However those that decided to stick with their Duke of Edinburgh experience completed their walk back to the final destination, something Jamil congratulates them for”. By the time the second weekend came around their endurance was rewarded as the sun was shining.

Jamil noticed that the achievement of the boys-three of whom attend the David Young Community Academy, two of whom attend Park Lane College and one who is in employment-was even more impressive considering at home they rarely have to cook a meal for themselves.

Harris Rehman, who completed the award, said “I think the Duke of Edinburgh Award was a great experience because it is the first time I have done something like that”.

“I also think it was a fantastic place to meet lots of people from different ethnic societies and I am looking forward to hopefully doing the gold award”.

Aamer Liaqat said, “The first week when we had to make the tents and carry our equipment we found it hard, as the bags got really heavy to carry, as we did all the walking but when we actually did it the second week we carried only what we needed”.

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In July 2009 Yorkshire Bank 150th Community Awards were launched at a special dinner for community partners at Nostell Priory near Wakefield.

The £150,000 fund was be used to make awards to projects in four categories – environment, volunteering, education and regeneration.

The winning entry in each category received Colonel Akroyd Community Award, named after the banks founder, plus £10,000.

In each category one project received an award of £10,000 and four commendable projects each received £5,000.  

Short listed charities and groups were invited to an awards ceremony in November where the winners were announced.  Successful applicants were invited to attend an awards presentation on 23rd November 2009, at Yorkshire Bank Leeds Merrion way.

The night was full of excitement and most off all being part of all the organisations that were successful.  Harehills Youth In Partnership was short listed in the Education category for their Climb In Education Project. 

HYIP was one of the four runners up in the Education category and well deserved for their hard work and dedication in the community, a cheque of £5,000 and an Award was welcomed by HYIP coordinator Jamil Khan stating, “HYIP is struggling financially, we had to get our phone and internet lines contracts terminated and also it has been difficult to keep me in post over the past few months, I am sure the management team will welcome this award”.  I thank Yorkshire bank for recognising our quality work and would request Leeds City Council / Education Leeds and business to support HYIP”.

Chris Edwards, Education Leeds, presented the Award and said, “Well done keep up the good work”.

Abdul Hakeem, Chairperson HYIP, What a fantastic award one that we are really proud off thank you Yorkshire Bank.

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