Great success
The Washwood Heath Muslim Girls Group SWITCH group have recently decided to become a Girlguiding UK unit. Midlands SWITCH Development Worker Anjim Ahmed, who has been working with the community to establish the group in partnership with Washwood Heath Youth and Community Network (WHYCN) feels that the decision to become a guiding unit is a really exciting development.
Washwood Heath is an area with high levels of poverty. It's a place where economic pressure often means going into a job as soon as possible is a greater priority for parents than education. The SWITCH project is helping to change attitudes on what is possible for girls.
Masoud Yasin, of the WHYCN, says a great deal of the success could be put down to the good rapport that has been developed with the community. Initially the project encountered scepticism. Washwood Heath is a strong Muslim community and the stereotypical view of Girl Guides is that of a middle-class, primarily-white institution. The reality, of course, is quite different and the SWITCH project broke down any misgivings by inviting parents along to open days so they could see what it was all about themselves.
Of the decision to become a guiding unit, Anjim says, 'We're hoping that by becoming a guiding group we will continue to offer opportunities within a safe girl-only space but also gain from being part of a worldwide organisation which offers an exciting programme of activities'.
The new guiding unit will be lead by Shanaz Aktar, whose three daughters Haleema, 13, Ruqaiyah, 11, and Saarah, 10, have been involved since the group formed in February. Shanaz said she had been looking for a suitable girls group for quite some time when she met Anjim at an open day and signed the girls up.
'At first they didn't want to go but I said just try it. Since they've been going here I've really seen a change in them. I'm now quite happy to leave them or send them away. I needn't worry about them. They're speaking up for themselves and it's boosted their confidence.'
Looking to the future, she would like to see the group mix with others from diverse backgrounds. Shanaz sees guiding as an excellent way to help Muslim girls prepare for life 'out there', so they know what to expect and how to deal with things.
'There's more to life than housework and looking after your brothers and sisters. I want them to be themselves and let their hair down. I want to encourage them to do things they might be scared of'.
If you would like more information about SWITCH in the Midlands, you can contact us for more information at switch@girlguiding.org.uk .
