Kashif Shabir: ‘Charity in the Islamic Faith is Much More Than Giving Money’

In 2020, Kashif Shabir set Muslim Aid UK on an ambitious transformation journey.

The interim chief executive talks to Emily Burt about reimagining the charity’s purpose.

When Kashif Shabir began consulting on a major transformation programme at Muslim Aid UK, it was “in absence of understanding the depths of its problems” – and with no idea he would soon become a director of the charity, and within a year take the helm as its interim chief executive.

Despite harbouring some reservations about the organisation at the time, he felt a sense of responsibility that compelled him to take on the challenge. “There is no doubt the charity is an institution of our community,” he says.

Read on

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Consider Charging for Your Services, Charities Urged

A paper from the research consultancy nfpSynergy says that although it is a potentially controversial subject, it can help improve outcomes.

Charities that have seen their income levels fall should consider the idea of charging their service users, according to a new report.

A paper published by the research consultancy nfpSynergy says charities offer a diverse range of services and therefore the potential implications of charging for the work they do vary enormously.

It says that although deciding to introduce a charge “can elicit strong views, even outside of a pandemic”, evidence suggests there can be significant benefits of doing so.

Read on

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Nourish Hub on Edward Woods Estate: Community Food Hub

Nourish Hub on Edward Woods Estate; a unique and ground-breaking project, which will see a disused space transformed into a community food hub.

The Nourish Hub will open in Spring 2021 and will provide…

  • a café serving food on a ‘pay as you feel basis’
  • a community kitchen, hosting food and cookery education
  • a social space for people of all ages and backgrounds
  • voluntary and training opportunities

Are you or our organisation interested in working with the Nourish Hub? Contact ffion.hayward@ukharvest.org.uk to explore.

If you want to keep up to date with the launch and future events, subscribe to the Nourish Hub newsletter here.

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Kickstart Scheme Open for All Employers to Apply Directly

The Government’s Kickstart scheme allows employers to create job placements for young people by providing funding to cover the costs for six months. Launched in September 2020, employers offering less than 30 placements had to apply through a Kickstart Gateway organisation but from today any employer can now apply directly regardless of their number of placements.

If you would still like support with your Kickstart application, the Council is a Gateway intermediary and we can offer help. Read more

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My UK Charity – Community Language Support for Those Running Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise Organisations

Small Charities Coalition (SCC) will soon deliver training sessions on charity management in multiple community languages. The new project, My UK Charity, is aimed at breaking down inequality in the delivery and design of infrastructure support which disadvantages those who either do not speak English, or in some cases for those for whom English is an additional language. Each session will provide an overview of the requirements of good governance, how to manage people and finances and how to fundraise. The sessions are free. Find out more.

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H&F Residents & Workers – Get a Free Rapid COVID Test

1 in 3 people with the virus have no symptoms, so getting a test is the best way to protect those around us. Testing helps identify cases and shows us where the virus is spreading. If we know who has the virus, we know where we need to take action to help stop it.

H&F Council has set up testing centres at:

  • Our Lady of Fatima Church, White City (temporary)
  • Shepherd’s Bush Library
  • Sands End Arts & Community Centre
  • Council Offices at 145 King Street, Hammersmith

Anyone can walk into these sites to get a test, but please book a time if you can, in order to help speed up the process. Your results will be available within an hour. To book a test online for you and your family and for details of opening times, please visit the H&F’s website: www.lbhf.gov.uk.  If you are unable to book online, please call the H&F CAN helpline for assistance: 0800 145 6095, open 8am to 6pm seven days a week. These rapid tests are for people with NO symptoms (such as a cough or high temperature).

If you have any Coronavirus symptoms you need to book an NHS test here: Get a free NHS test to check if you have coronavirus – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Curious About the COVID-19 Vaccines? here are some useful links with information on the vaccines:

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K&C Libraries Events & News

Friday 19 to Friday 26 February

Kensington Central Library holds a large Customs and Folklore Collection. To celebrate and promote it, we organise the annual festival of talks. This year we have a fantastic selection of events to illustrate the many aspects of this beautiful collection. Expect lots of folklore, a bit of customs, all mixed with some esotericism – there is something for everyone! All events are free so come along! It’s a great way to spend a gloomy February evening. Read more

Click here for the most up-to-date information about services available in our libraries.

Click here for our February Newsletter.

 

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Muslim Council of Britain Elects First Female Leader

The Muslim Council of Britain has elected its first female leader.

Zara Mohammed said it was an “honour” to be appointed as the new secretary general after winning the most votes in a poll of affiliate groups of the UK’s largest Muslim umbrella organisation. Read on

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The Road Ahead 2021

NCVO’s annual Road Ahead report take on the key trends, opportunities and challenges likely to impact your organisation in the coming year.

To help get a feel for the thinking behind their predictions before you start to explore, you can read the latest post by Sarah Vibert – Director of Membership and Engagement below:
Looking at the Road Ahead after a turbulent year – my reflections on what we’ve learned in 2020, and what that means for us as a sector moving forward.

The Road Ahead 2021

The Road Ahead report is our annual analysis of the changing operating environment for anyone working in the voluntary sector.

It identifies and explains forces and trends that are shaping the sector and are likely to have an impact on organisations in the future.

It covers these six themes:
Political | Economic | Social | Technological | Environmental | Legal

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Leading Charities Make Joint Budget Submission

Just before Christmas we learned that the government will announce its next Budget on 3 March. In response, we came together with the other charities that support the #NeverMoreNeeded campaign to get a submission drafted and sent to the Treasury.

Based on the campaign’s ‘five point plan’, the submission outlines the ongoing effects of the pandemic and lockdown on vital charity services and proposes constructive solutions that government could bring in to help. It also calls for:

‘a renewed package of dedicated support measures…to support communities and their role in the social and economic recovery. It is crucial that the mechanism for delivery of this money should be as unbureaucratic as possible, to ensure that the funds are received swiftly by the recipients, so they can most effectively and quickly provide support for those most in need.’

The submission was supported by 28 leading charities and representative bodies, and you can read the full paper here.

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