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On August 9th, 2024, Afrikindness, in partnership with Voluntary Action Leeds, successfully launched its Community Empowerment Programme with a Basic Safeguarding Training session. This inaugural training marks a significant milestone in Afrikindness’s commitment to equipping community and faith group members in Leeds with the skills necessary to protect and support young people and families.
Empowering Communities Through Training
The Afrikindness Community Empowerment Programme is designed to provide individuals with essential knowledge and tools to create safer and more inclusive environments within their communities. The programme includes a series of specialised training modules such as Safeguarding Train-the-Trainer for Faith Communities, Designated Safeguarding Lead Training, Parenting with Purpose, Neurodiversity & Inclusivity Training, Self-Care, Digital inclusion and Mental Health Awareness. Each module is designed to support community and faith group members in implementing practices tailored towards supporting young people and to further train more faith and community workers, ensuring the well-being of their communities.
The initial focus on safeguarding is particularly vital, as it lays the foundation for a secure environment for children and families. The Basic Safeguarding Training, held at Stringer house with Voluntary Action Leeds, brought together 10 participants from 7 different faith and community groups in Leeds. This session equipped attendees with the fundamental skills needed to identify and address safeguarding concerns, a crucial step in protecting children and adults at risk in the community.
Strengthening Community Cohesion
By launching this programme, Afrikindness is not only investing in the personal development of its participants but is also fostering community cohesion. The training serves as a unifying force, bringing together diverse groups with a shared goal of safeguarding and empowering their communities. The knowledge gained from this programme will ripple through the community, creating a network of trained individuals who are committed to collective responsibility.
The next session in this series, the Train-the-Trainer Programme for Faith Communities, will focus on co-creating a safeguarding pack tailored specifically for religious institutions. Participants will receive certification from the Leeds Children Partnership Board, further empowering them to deliver safeguarding training across various religious and community settings.
“The training provided invaluable insights into safeguarding that I had never considered before. Afrikindness has given us the tools we need to create a safer environment for everyone, and I am eager to apply what I’ve learned.”
Gratitude and Future Aspirations
Afrikindness extends its heartfelt thanks to the dedicated coordinators at Voluntary Action Leeds, particularly Ann Crossland and Farzana Jabar, whose efforts were instrumental in making this training a success. Their expertise and commitment to safeguarding within faith communities have made a lasting impact on the participants.
As we move forward with this initiative, we are confident that the Afrikindness Community Empowerment Programme will continue to strengthen our communities, ensuring that safeguarding becomes a collective responsibility. Together, we can create a more inclusive, supportive, and empowered community for all.
Afrikindness is proud to lead this initiative, and we invite all community members to join us in our mission to empower, protect, and uplift. The journey has just begun, and with continued collaboration and commitment, we will build a brighter, safer future for our communities.
Join us on the 24th of August for our Community Leadership workshop.
Registration ongoing here:- https://bit.ly/CommunityLeadershipWorkshopLeeds
We are grateful to the National Lottery for sponsoring this programme, making it possible to extend these essential resources to those who need them most.
