NKS News/Events

NKS Annual General Meeting and Presentation of Certificates to Trainee Bangladeshi Community Workers

The Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday the 29th of September 2005 at NKS premises from 11.00 am till 1.00 pm. Councillor Lorna Shiels will present the certificates to the trainees during the Annual General Meeting. Other Ethnic Minority agencies will also be invited to come along. You will be able to read all about this day in the next issue of the NKS Newsletter.


What’s Been Happening at NKS?

Launch of “Moving Further Ahead” Report

NKS launched an evaluation report of NKS services funded by the Big Lottery Fund (formerly known as the Community Fund) on 18th May 2005 at Portobello Town Hall between 11.00 am and 2.00 pm. The Big Lottery Fund provided financial support to NKS for six years to develop community-based services in the project. The report for the first three years of work was presented in the year 2001 report entitled “Moving Ahead” and “Moving Further Ahead” is the evaluation of the second ‘three year period’.

The report was produced by Obaida Rehman and Anne Munro and was launched by Sarah Boyack MSP, who was the Chief Guest on the day. Obaida Rehman gave a presentation of the report and two users spoke about their experiences of using NKS services. The event was attended by over 150 women and workers from different agencies. The work of the project was commended by Sarah Boyack MSP and the Chairperson of NKS, Saroj Lal.

A cultural programme of songs and dance was organised along with delicious Asian food. The invitees thoroughly enjoyed the day. A lot of hard work went into organising the event and NKS staff should be applauded for their input.

We would like to extend special thanks to Sarah Boyack MSP who gave us time despite her busy schedule and to NKS Chairperson - Saroj Lal who led the event on the day extremely well.


Bangladeshi Training ~ Visit to London Projects

A visit to two projects working with the Bangladeshi community in London was organised as part of the community work training programme at NKS. The visit was to study different models of working with the Bangladeshi community and was funded by the Scottish Executive Ethnic Minority Grant Scheme.

The Desha Project, providing support services to Bangladeshi women, and the Bangladeshi Association were visited by five trainees and three trainers. It was a great learning experience for all.

Both of the projects are located in the areas where Bangladeshi people are living in large numbers (around 2000 in each area) and are providing services more informally with the help of volunteers. The services are provided in a way that is best suited to the needs of the community. Both projects work on a shoe string budget.

The services of Bangladeshi Association are open to both men and women, but we felt that they were mostly used by men.

The Desha Project for women is part of Toynbee Hall, which provides mainstream services. The whole visit was very interesting in that we were able to compare the models most suited to the Bangladeshi community.

A meeting was organised a week after the trip to reflect on what we all learned from visiting the two projects.


Festival of Flight ~ Launch of Kite

The Festival of Flight event took place on Saturday the 25th of June 2005 and NKS workers and users attended to fly their kite. The kite was made at NKS over eight weeks by the Wednesday group. The festival celebrated cultural diversity.


Childcare Training ~ Presentation of Certificates

Eight women at NKS have completed a ‘Promoting Play’ module in childcare. The module was organised in partnership with 2nd Chance to Learn and took place at NKS premises. The participants received huge support from 2nd Chance to Learn and NKS to complete the module. The presentation of certificates was held at New Parliament House on 29th of June 2005 and all of these women were invited. The certificates were presented by Frank Pignatelli, Chief Executive of Learn Direct Scotland. Robin Harper MSP was also present


Outing to Manchester Mela

NKS took two coach loads of women and children for a day trip to see the Manchester Mela on the 30th of July 2005. The weather was fine for them and everyone had a really good time. The women enjoyed going out of Edinburgh and seeing the Manchester Mela. The women did plenty of shopping!


Outing to Loch Lomond Shores

The Friday Older Women’s Group, NKS staff who run the group and others went to Loch Lomond Shores on Friday the 5th of August 2005. The weather was fine for them too. There was plenty for them to do: boating, ferry ride, picnic, walking, sitting and shopping.