Kasam is unveiled as Tower Hamlets Olympic torchbearer

Emdad Rahman: Redlands Primary School was the venue as the Olympic Torchbearers were unveiled in front of the world’s media. The children cheered all gathered to cheer on the torchbearers with hand-made shakers and flame hats.  The torchbearers wore a simple yet elegant all white uniform with gold trim to complement the Olympic Torch. 

Mayor Boris Johnson and Triple Jump World Record Holder and Olympic Champion Jonathan Edwards were on hand to introduce the five specially selected torchbearers.  

Among them was local man Abul Kasam.  Born and raised in Tower Hamlets,  Kasam said he was ‘absolutely humbled and delighted’ to be representing his home borough of Tower Hamlets, a Host Borough for the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.  Kasam was selected out of over 70,000 nominations and one of just 13 torchbearers from Tower Hamlets.  He believes he was nominated for the various volunteering work he does. 

Kasam has been involved in charity work for many years: from doing bucket collections on Whitechapel Road, to climbing up mountains for charity.  He is also a School Governor at Kobi Nazrul Primary School.  Like many residents in Tower Hamlets, his parents left everything behind in Bangladesh to come to London for a fresh opportunity for their families. 

Kasam feels he has achieved well, excelling in his education and career due to the sacrifices his parents made for the next generation.  He said: “They instilled in us the strong values of hard work, education and caring for those around you.”

Kasam has always worked for the betterment of his community and it is entirely apt that he has been selected as a torchbearer for the greatest sporting show on earth. 

An appeal from the Football Poets

S.O.S. (Save Our Site). Calling all football/soccer poets, football fans and people interested in promoting literacy and poetry, especially linking poetry with a subject they love; Football! Football! Football! 

Football Poets is the world's original and by far the largest football poetry web site. It has received thousands of entries over the years and hundreds of thousands of unique visitors to the site; it is loved by Football poets worldwide.

The FootballPoets site is the largest collective of footballing bards in the world. I have personally contributed well over 500 poems to this superb group for many years.

The site is 12 years old now, extremely large, and written in old technology (ASP), whilst also coping with housing OVER 13,750 Published poems from over  28000 submissions since 2000 . We now finally have to look at any ways possible of making a complete re-vamp in order for the site to survive. The Editors alone carry the cost of annual hosting, but other than that there is no budget for anything.

This is a grass roots poetry initiative that has survived for 12 years without funding from any source and it now deserves the support of government and commercial organisations in order to survive, in fact anyone who might be interested in Football or poetry or both; like thousands of people who already value and contributed to this football poetry site in the past. It would be a massive loss to both football and to grass roots poetry if this website were to fold due to lack of funding.

This week the site received 100 Euros from Italy! A certain loyal poet and Everton fan. The Editors thank those who have kindly donated so far.

Thousands of poems from the site have been filed for safe keeping by the British Library. British Library Link:  www.webarchive.org.uk/ukwa/target/120341

Can you spare £10:00?

The site isn't set up for credit cards and can only accept cheques (for those still with cheque books).

Cheques payable to:  The Football Poets

Write to:  The Football Poets, 4 The Retreat, Butterow Stroud,  Glos, GL5 2LS

UK. Tel 01453 757376

Mob: 07837 798463

All suggestions: technical advice, sponsor suggestions, donations  are welcome. Please email Crispin Thomas, one of the original creators and editors of this website or Simon Icke - editors@footballpoets.org or poetsimon@aol.com

Do say hello by 'Liking' on Facebook  and following on Twitter.

Mosaic art at the Olympic art

Greenwich life

Cutty Sark restoration...

Tower Hamlets life

Burdett Road...

“It doesn’t matter if you’re black or white, male or female - football breaks down boundaries”

Interview with Paul Elliott MBE

Emdad Rahman

Sporting Equals hosted a key event for senior executives from ethnic media as well as CEOs, development directors and marketing executives from national governing bodies of sport.

The objective was to engage ethnic media into sport to ensure information on sport is available to all and to enable sports to access untapped markets to increase participation.

The proceedings were chaired by award winning journalist and author Mihir Bose. Former Charlton, Luton, Aston Villa, Pisa, Chelsea, and Celtic star Paul Elliott MBE was a guest at the event.

The former Scottish footballer of the year was one of England’s best exports and his career was cut short at the ripe age of thirty after he failed to recover from a cruciate and lateral ligaments damage sustained after a tackle by Welshman and ex Derby County, Liverpool and Aston Villa favourite Dean Saunders.

Elliott is now a FIFA and Sporting Equals Ambassador and he explained the reasons for the event being organized: “It’s to bring everybody here and to celebrate the core ethos of Sporting Equals,” he said. “We want to encourage the mass participation for the BME communities across a whole raft of sports. 

“Mass participation is very important but across a cross section of sports.

“There has to be a level playing field. Inclusion is very important. The media has a role to play to promote inclusion and diversity. There are numbers of people from the BME community who are marginalised.

“Let’s get mass participation and get engaging with the BME community with great leadership from sporting equals. Those who have the drive and talent to proceed further will and should do so.”

Elliott reminisced about his youth and the support and encouragement he received as an aspiring young footballer:  “I come from a very sporting background. My mother and father back in Jamaica were very good athletes. I loved sports and I had very good role models who were in athletics.

“Through my enjoyment and through knowing I was going to have equality of opportunity, there were role models who encouraged and pushed me saying ‘Paul you can actually do better.’ And I think that’s such an integral intervention. Once you get that entry point in it’s those role models and the social benefits as well.

“When I was at a football club and a running club I understood about building relationships, building community relationships. I call it community cohesion. And thereafter I was very lucky to go onto the league level.

“I never started off with that aspiration but as a consequence of the barriers broken and pathways that were open to me, they created good relationships then that gave me a gilt edge opportunity to be the best I could be.”

Like other black people trying to break into sports, Elliott too witnessed his fair share of racism: 

“I even recall as a young man. The issue of racism has been here for many years. I remember experiencing racism when I was very young. And sometimes I thought if all football was going to be like that.

“We have to realise that racism is not only a problem in football. It’s a societal problem. Football is not responsible for that. Football is here as a vehicle to engage and mobilise and the diversity of football and the enjoyment of football does the right thing. It welcomes people, it engages people, it brings a collective collaborative spirit to a team. Players respect each other because of their cultural diversities.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re black or white, male or female, football breaks down boundaries. It breaks down barriers. When I was 14 or 15 I Iost a little bit of interest due to some experiences I had but that soon re-emerged as I knew there was ignorance, lack of education and that sometimes created negativity. I wasn’t going to allow that to stop me so thereafter I became very focussed and then obviously went on to forge my way through professional sport.

“Sport is here, sport is for life. Sport is for everyone regardless of race, colour, creed, religion, gender, cultural background. Look at the wonderful benefits sport can bring to you – psychologically, physically, emotionally, professionally, financially. Just for mass enjoyment sport is a very intrinsic part of our life.

“We’re going to see the Olympics this summer and see what sport actually means to people. You’re going to see a wonderful, diverse and eclectic mix of people that just want to engage in sport and the most important thing thereafter is a sustainable legacy. So I would encourage everybody, black or white, male and female, there are so many wonderful benefits to be gained from sport and whatever level you’re involved in. There are those at the elite end, which is wonderful but you get just as much enjoyment from improving your physical, mental and health wellbeing. And the by-product of that is that gives you a better quality of life. The education that comes from being fit, understanding about eating the right things and doing the right things, these are all by products of being involved in sport and the added value and education it gives you about understanding yourself.

“Then there are social benefits, cultural benefits, environmental benefits, and the professional benefits. So more than ever in these hardened times, were in a global economic recession and I sense that sport gives people a lot of comfort – it gives them a feel good factor being involved and being engaged in sport and that is one of the principle reasons why we encourage such participation.”

Elliott was invited to David Cameron’s football racism summit at 10 Downing Street. He spoke of his experience mingling with the powerbrokers of British politics and sport.

“When I came out of the game I wanted to give something back. For me it was all about not taking, but giving back and creating a legacy. And using the knowledge and experiences I’ve had to good effect. David Cameron gave the first speech, then David Bernstein the FA Chairman and I spoke thereafter just giving an overview of the issues around racism, discrimination, prejudice, from the late 870’s early 80’s when I started my career to the 21st century, and looking at the challenges we’ve had and the manner in which we’ve addressed those challenges.

“And then saying there are still issues now which have been highlighted at the elite end of the game and how we’re going to collectively, cohesively address them.

“The message was to all the footballing stakeholders, whether it be the Premier League, the Football League, The Football Association, Kick it Out, the PFA, LMA. My role was to say hey, we have got the power in this room. If we want to make meaningful and sustainable change it takes leadership and it takes power. And we’ve got the power inclusive of the government intervention  to acutely realise the value of sport, the value of inclusion, the value of diversity, the value of equality of opportunity for BME candidates at all levels of the game, whether it be volunteering, grassroots, whether it be a coach or manager. So these are key, strong messages that hopefully were conveyed.

With regards to high profile recent cases surrounding discrimination in football Elliott added: “The government’s intervention was critical because first and foremost, no one is above the law. Football is not above the law and if there’s clear evidence that there are breaches of that law. The government has the authority, they have to intervene. But it was in good spirit. The PM had seen some of the great work that had been done but obviously the issues that had been carrying on lately, the high profile issues had sent out a positive message. Whilst you had high profile players involved at high profile clubs and the issue of racism has re emerged. That’s a fact. Because of the profile of football, particularly the premiership, the magnitude of those clubs and players then there has to be intervention.

“And in truth, if you look at the FA’s decision against Suarez, that was leadership. That was zero tolerance application of the law. And it bought out areas that football has to modernise itself fit for purpose for the 21st century. And equally for the communities I think it’s very important that we have participation there. Those like myself and other black coaches, black managers - there are parties from the Asian community there from the football federation because at the end of the day what is football? You look at football, you look at stadiums, it’s a diverse eclectic mix of people. Football is inclusive. We want more BME visibility at stadiums. We want more visibility within the structures of the game, within administration, within coaches, most importantly on the field of play as role models because they are the ones that galvanise and inspire and aspire other young Asians to raise their aspirational levels.

“So I think that the presence of that very diverse eclectic mix of people at Downing Street was a very positive message of ‘look where we are now in the 21st century debating these very serious and sensitive issues at the highest levels of the government arena’. It’s not where you start its where you finish and the message  we wanted to convey was it’s all about the leadership - to utilise that power to make a difference to people’s lives, to change people’s lives, to promote mass participation and social inclusion and thereafter leave a sustainable legacy.

“I’ve been campaigning now for the best part of 25 years and I have a level of optimism today that I’ve never had. It’s not where you start in life, it’s where you finish. Everything is incremental and if I look back to how things were as a player growing up in that area and seeing the whole movement, seeing the whole evolution, there’s big challenges ahead but sometimes we can’t be complacent. You have to look back and say I’ve seen the progress but now we have to raise the bar and take it to the next level. 

Special thanks to Zohaib Rashid of Operation Black Vote and Desiballers.

Today's Origami

Space shuttles...

Frank Dobson - "Woman & Fish"

Nice and threesy as Gerrard destroys Everton

Liverpool 3-0 Everton: The view from the stand

By Emdad Rahman 

Original article

Liverpool have the bragging rights and revel in glory today after completing a comprehensive thrashing of Everton in the 217th Merseyside derby.

I was full of zeal, zest and gusto after my travelling mate Sid had roused our contingent with the tactics Kenny Dalglish would employ on the night – it was side-splittingly entertaining and pure comedy genius.

During a quiet moment at Cannock services I told him that it felt like I was subjected to a vigorous pre match team talk and rub down from Omid Djalili.

I joined the Hertfordshire LFC Supporters Club at a packed Anfield to witness the talismanic Steven Gerrard demolish the Blues.

On his 400th appearance, Gerrard scored a hat trick, the first in a Merseyside derby since Ian Rush’s four goal salvo at Goodison Park in 1982, and the first at home since Fred Howe in 1935.

Picking up from an attempt at goal by Martin Kelly, the Anfield amulet superbly lobbed Tim Howard to open proceedings on 36 minutes.

On 51 minutes Luis Suarez beat two defenders before Gerrard pounded the net, whipping in his second in front of a rapturous Kop.

Deep into injury it was Suarez again who assisted, unselfishly squaring to enable Gerrard to apply the coup de grace on an unforgettable night at Anfield.

Speaking to liverpoolfc.tv Pepe Reina said: "We all love playing against Everton because they are special games. For local lads like Stevie, Spearo or Carra, those games mean a lot - and the rest of us know how important they are for the club."

Having rested key personnel in anticipation for the weekends FA Cup game against Sunderland, Everton rarely threatened to inflict a straight fourth loss on Kenny Dalglish’s men. Phil Neville, Leon Osman, Johnny Heitinga and Nikica Jelavic were all left on the bench.

Steven Pienaar wasted Everton’s best chance, skyeing his effort into the Kop.

A cross from Stewart Downing and a near miss by Martin Kelly had me reaching forward so much that I toppled forward melodramatically. Apologising to the gentleman in front I received a small round of cheers for my clumsiness.

As Everton offered bursts of attacking intent, the Kop paid homage to David Moyes. “Ten more years, ten more years,” they roared in unison.

After 2-0 I’d said to my friend Mosh that we needed a Gerrard hat trick to really make this a memorable visit for us and the skipper obliged, lashing in from close range after being served by Luis Suarez on a platter.

It’s not new to me I bragged – I was there when Gerrard scored three against Napoli in the Europa League.

Speaking through the club website, Gerrard thanked his team mates: "To beat Everton is always special, so to get three goals is that little bit extra.

"But I have to give my teammates a special mention, especially Luis Suarez - he put two on a plate for me.

"It was a great team performance and a clean sheet - everything we wanted from the game, we got."

With ten games to go, Liverpool are ten points off fourth. The Reds are well overdue for an extended set of win results. Gerrard has called for consistency and if each remaining game is seen as a cup final, coupled with a few most welcome slip ups from Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea then anything is possible.

Derby delight for Stevie 3

Liverpool 3-0 Everton

When the Anfield tank bore down
Filling blue boots with dread
Gerrard the holder of the crown
For he's a Scouser born and bred

Endowed with all the big game know how
Records rewritten for the derby
First Anfield treble since Fred Howe
And four in eighty two with Rushie

Wired network for the mobile Three G
Inducing the Toffees misery and tears
David Moyes hailed by Stevie 3
“Ten more years, ten more years!”

13.03.12

Number7
(c) Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com

 

Reds need to arrest slide

Liverpool need to emerge victorious from Merseyside derby

By Emdad Rahman

Original article.

Tuesday sees the rescheduled Liverpool v Everton clash take place at Anfield. I, for one have ringside seats and my mate Mosh and I will be travelling down to savour the blood and thunder of our very first Merseyside derby.

Both these rivals are experiencing mixed fortunes. Whilst Liverpool secured the season’s first piece of silverware at Wembley a fortnight ago, their league form has plummeted rapidly.

Everton have enjoyed a surge in form and are now within touching distance of their distinguished opponents.

David Moyes has celebrated ten years in charge at Everton and has been described as an “all time great” by Bill Kenwright. In an interview with evertonfc.com the Blues chairman said: “David Moyes was destined for Everton and I think that Everton was destined for David Moyes.

"He wasn’t an Evertonian when he sat on that sofa ten years ago, but he is now, believe me.”

Speaking to liverpoolfc.tv Kenny Dalglish said: "It's ten years since he went there, and he's done a fantastic job, and it's nine games undefeated.

"They've done very well and I think the city of Liverpool can be very proud of both clubs because they're representing the city and their respective clubs very well.

"It's a big game and one that both red and blue are looking forward to.

"Maybe if Everton are undefeated in nine, they're looking forward to it a wee bit more optimistically than what they were before we played them at Goodison (earlier in the season).

"We'll just take it as it comes. Form has never won a game in a derby, only what happens on the day.”

Kenny Dalglish’s men will leave the nice sentiments out of the Anfield cauldron tomorrow as the Reds bid to reverse an alarmingly poor run of form which has seen the gap between the Merseysiders and Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal extend to ten points. Astonishingly, the Reds are also eight points closer to the bottom of the table than the top.

Liverpool’s poor run of form has allowed their illustrious neighbours to catch up and Everton now stand poised – a mere two points behind the Reds.

An Anfield win will take them above their illustrious counterparts. Liverpool have struggled to collect three points with two league wins in 11, and only one in the last eight games. Dalglish analysed the Reds dismal run: "It depends what teams you're playing, but certainly it's not a record you expect from Liverpool.

"We'll just keep going in the way we have done. What we've done has got us as far as we have. We don't want to get into the habit of losing games, but in between the losses we've had a Carling Cup victory.

"It's a big game tomorrow. Everybody is looking forward to it and we know how much it means to everyone."

Skipper Steven Gerrard is scheduled to return for his 400th top flight appearance after picking up an injury whilst on international duty a week ago. Also starting could be Andy Carroll, alongside Luis Suarez.

In the absence of Gerrard, the team has demanded magic sparks from the Uruguayan and productivity has balked - his game has suffered beyond recognition.

With a lack of accomplished technical support El Pistolero cannot be expected to be the creative fulcrum whilst also applying the killer goal touch – that role is reserved for Lionel Messi alone and he is supported by arguably the greatest starting XI in world football.

The wholehearted Jay Spearing has always been a favourite of mine and deserves a chance to sit in the centre and allow Gerrard and Jordan Henderson to bomb on.

The other option is to switch Henderson with Jonjo Shelvey. Kenny will shuffle and it may be a moment of magic from Maxi Rodriguez may prove the difference.

The Reds and Blues will face off just four days before an FA Cup quarter final double header, which could see both clubs move another step closer to Wembley.

Martin O’Neill’s Sunderland visit Goodison Park on Saturday, whilst Tony Pulis and Stoke play Liverpool the day after.

Memories of Jack Rodwell’s sending off at Goodison will still be fresh in the memory and will add further heat to the fire.

New signing Nikica Jelavic struck against Tottenham and his partnership up front with Dennis Stracqualursi coupled with the goal threat of Tim Cahill will prove a real handful for Martin Skrtel, Jamie Carragher and Sebastian Coates.

Steven Pienaar will return to bolster a midfield consisting of Phil Neville, Marouane Fellaini, Leon Osman. Width and supply from the flanks will come from Seamus Coleman and the dangerous Royston Drenthe.

The clash of the Mersey giants is an anticipated fixture in the footballing calendar and whatever the result Mosh and I fully intend to relish every minute.

Making Bradford British

Emdad Rahman

It was a social experiment of sorts - A cross between wife swap and Big Brother. Community leaders had criticised the Channel 4 production as an attempt to smear the name and image of the city and Council Leader Ian Greenwood criticised Channel Four for not intervening when Bradford resident and participant, Sabbiyah, was grabbed in local pub The Boy and Barrel, in Westgate, by a local who slated her dress and her presence in the pub.

Speaking to TheTelegraph & Argus Councillor Greenwood added: “That man’s actions were unacceptable in any culture.

“She (Sabbiyah) was right to be upset and for a television programme to allow that to continue in that way is absolutely unacceptable. I think it is a disgrace.

“She did not know it would be like that, it was just another pub to her and she had never been in one in her life.”

In make believe world teetotal Sabiyyah, who did not serve alcohol, agreed to sample what life was like in a British pub. In real life many Muslims would simply refuse to go inside a pub full stop. In real life there would be no compromise on such an important aspect of the faith. Her partner, mixed raced Audra saw no harm in using the word Paki, even though she herself had suffered racism.

‘When’s the last time you’ve come out in a miniskirt and a low-cut top?” a punter sneered.

“Have you even tried a miniskirt?,” someone sniggered.

“I think you’d look bloody lovely in a miniskirt,” snorted another.

Another shouted: “If you want to be here, dress like us.”

The vilification of the 22 year old by ignorant regulars in Audrey’s local showed just how much work is needed to be done to encourage understanding and ensure mutual respect between communities. Thankfully this sick bunch are the minority.

The relationship between sheet metal worker Damon and ex rugby player Rashid was one that blossomed and was particularly uplifting to watch. Damon had believed that Mosques were terror training camps. Rashid, a devout Muslim insisted on praying in congregation at the Mosque and this initially caused ripples with his participants with even Sabiyyah wading in to criticise him.

Rashid is a well-known face in Bradford and what you so on the screen is what you get in real life. He's a thoroughly nice chap who's enthusiasm to work for the common good is almost an obsession. Many people will digest Rashid's demeanour and actions and be inspired by the way he operated.

Rashid’s and Damon’s was a real story. Damon felt that the value of his elders was evident amongst people like Rashid and his clan. The lads met and greeted locals, enjoyed a bonding gym workout and Damon observed Muslims praying in the Mosque. His experience was very different to what Sabiyyah experienced. Rashid met Damon’s daughter and they both discovered that they were separated/divorced. It strengthened their bond.

Poor little  Mohammed was taught some home truths by the feminist Maura and his walkout was probably more to do with his inability and refusal to carry out what he considered to be wholly women's tasks rather than being offended by the question put to him. His tantrum was embarrassing and comical. Bottom line - He couldn't hack it.

Then there was the heart on sleeve former copper, Jens, who couldn't seem to get a sentence out without using the phrases "black bastard" and "I'm only joking" before chuckling about the old days when he'd wind up Asian colleagues about going "Paki bashing". His retorts would end with a pat on the back for poor Desmond who found himself getting increasingly agitated by his partners loose use of racist language.

Bradford can’t be that bad can it. In fact, a 2010 survey conducted by Lloyds TSB insurance ranked Bradford as the city with the most neighbourly values in the UK.

Overall, the project was uncomfortable viewing but at the same time very different to our everyday realities. It requires a lot more thougth to go in and a touch of realism. with less focus on sensationalism. If these ingredientst can be added then there's a slight chance that the experiment can be seen to be somewhat positive. 

Cockney cash machine

Withdrew cash from this outside NISA, Manchester Road, Isle of Dogs.

Here's one to add to this list...

Curse of the goalpost

Sunderland 1-0 Liverpool

It stood there rooted motionless
Assisting the only goal of the game
Better team is anyone's guess
Placing the Black Cats in the frame

A contest dull and dreary
Frazier Campbell hitting the post
Ball to Reina, to post and strays free
Bendtner sneaks in like a ghost

Memories of the beach ball return anew
One win in an eight game spree
Everton now trail by two
And im going to the Mersey derby

10.03.12

Number7
(c) Emdad Rahman
www.football-poems.com

Today's Origami

Hornet...

Allegra McEvedy celebrates International Women's Day with Fairtrade farmer

Leading chef and food writer Allegra McEvedy celebrated International Women's Day (Thursday March 8) by welcoming to London a smallholder farmer she last met in the middle of a peanut field in Malawi.

The farmer, Rosemary Kadzitche, who's 63, gave Allegra her recipe for pumpkin curry during the African trip and Allegra reprinted this in her latest cookbook 'Bought, Borrowed and Stolen. Recipes and Knives from a Travelling Chef.' They sat in the small home Rosemary shares with her grandchildren and some orphans she cares in Mchinji, near Zambia, discussing cooking tips, flavours and the love of food they both share.

Rosemary, together with another peanut farmer Judith Harry, has come over to the UK for Fairtrade Fortnight (which ends this Sunday March 11) with the 100% Fairtrade nut company Liberation Foods CIC. Her aim is to encourage the UK public not to forget that as well as bananas, coffee, tea and chocolate, Fairtrade nuts are available in most supermarkets and many smaller stores.

"Meeting up with the women peanut farmers I visited in Malawi here in London this week was a timely reminder around International Women's Day about the origins of our ingredients," says Allegra. 

"It is so easy to take produce for granted, forgetting that there are people behind every product and, particularly in the case of these women as I've seen their smallholdings first hand, how much respect we should afford them."

Rosemary's Fairtrade peanuts go into Harry's Nuts! Fairtrade salted peanuts and peanut butter from Fairtrade supporter Harry Hill, into Liberation peanut and cashew mixes and into the own label Fairtrade peanuts at Tesco, Sainsbury's and Morrisons. She said: "Peanuts, or ground nuts as we call them in Malawi, are a women's crop. They are grown by women. So husbands know the money from the groundnut crop is for their wives. 

"The Fairtrade people should not worry when they give us a good price for the nuts - the money is not going to the men - and some of them might spend it on beer. The money is going to the women and so we use it for the home and the family, to buy food and to pay for our children to go to school.

"We are better off because some time back in our area the women were behind the men. Even when the women have good husbands it is still important that the men do not control our money. We control it ourselves.

"With Fairtrade money we have done a lot to help the women and the country of Malawi. We have built a Guardian shelter which is a place for the relatives of hospital patients to stay to help care for them. Now it is also used by pregnant women who have complications in their pregnancy and who need to see the doctor. 

"They don't have the money to travel to and from the hospital so they can stay near the hospital in the shelter. This is helping us save the lives of some of these women and their babies because it means they can now go to their appointments.

"I am happy to celebrate International Women's Day in the country where the Fairtrade peanuts I grow are sold in the supermarkets. When you buy our nuts you are helping very poor people in Malawi."

Allegra McEvedy has recently become a Patron of the Fairtrade Foundation, the body which organises and promotes Fairtrade certification in the UK. See www.fairtrade.org.uk

Article from the Law Society on choosing a lawyer

As President of the Law Society, I see it as an important part of my job to ensure that solicitors offer excellent customer care to their clients.  I know that individuals who go and see a solicitor are often doing so at an important or difficult time in their lives. I want to make sure that they receive the best possible service from the professional who is providing them with that legal advice.

At the moment there is a confusing range of ‘legal service providers’ in the market, so it is essential to seek the services of a solicitor, as they provide a high level of financial protection and strong consumer guarantees, in the event that anything should go wrong. All  solicitors are subject to strict regulation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to make sure that they deliver the best service to their clients.

Some solicitors’ practices have chosen to make sure that they stand out from the crowd by committing themselves to offering excellent standards of client care and business management. They are recognised for their achievement by the national Law Society by the award of a ‘Lexcel’ quality mark.

All firms that receive the Lexcel accreditation undergo a robust application and assessment process. To maintain their Lexcel status they undergo an annual ‘health-check’ and on-site visits from Lexcel assessors to ensure that they are continuing to meet the high standards expected of Lexcel firms.

Anyone needing the services of a solicitor can seek out the Lexcel logo. There are over 1000 Lexcel accredited law firms across England and Wales. By choosing a solicitor with Lexcel accreditation you can be sure that you will receive a timely response every time you contact them, regular and accurate estimates of how much you will be charged by your solicitor and detailed information about how your charges will be calculated.

I want you to be in no doubt that using a solicitor will ensure a level of service and consumer protection that you will not be able to find anywhere else. We already know that, when questioned, nine out of ten people who had dealings with a solicitor said that they would recommend their solicitor to a friend. Choosing a practice with the Lexcel quality mark will give you that extra reassurance that is so important when you are looking for legal advice.

John Wotton, President of the Law Society of England & Wales

Muslim Council joins in celebration of International Women’s Day

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), the largest coalition of British Muslim groups, called on the public – and all Muslims – to recognise the role and achievements of women across the world today.

Celebrating 8th March as International Women’s Day, Unaiza Malik, Assistant Secretary General of the MCB, said:

“Today sends out a strong message in support of equality between men and women, something which has long been acknowledged in Islam.”

“Looking back through history we can see women not only as home-makers, but as educators, scientists, writers and leaders against oppression. They should be acknowledged for these significant roles they play.”

Battling oppression

Muslim women have often acted as leading figures in the struggle against tyranny.

“At the MCB we can draw inspiration from the three women who shared the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize,” said Talat Ahmed, a senior female member of the MCB’s Central Working Committee.

“One of the winners, Tawakel Karman, was a Yemeni [Arab and Muslim] journalist and activist who was praised for playing ‘in the most trying circumstances, both before and during the Arab Spring... a leading part in the struggle for women's rights and for democracy and peace in Yemen’," she said.

Welcoming International Women’s Day, Farooq Murad, Secretary General of the MCB, added: “We have long been encouraging greater participation of women in wider society; today is a chance to reflect on that goal, and for us all to recognise the vital part played by our wives, mothers, sisters, and friends in struggling for that better world.”

Dagenham & Redbridge take swift action against racist thugs who abused children

Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club has taken swift action after 300 Bangladeshi youngsters were subject to vile and racist abuse by a minority of yobs. Complaints were made by the BFA and the Canary Wharf Group.

A statement from the club in the immediate aftermath of last Saturday’s home game read:

“The Club was appalled by the actions of a handful of supporters who verbally racially abused a group of young supporters at Saturday's match against Bradford City.

“The day, the Daggers Against Racism Day, was to be a celebration of the Club's diversity and for this to occur is inexcusable.

“A number of ejections were made on the day and the Club would like to thank the Stewards and the Metropolitan Police for the way the situation was handled and, through our Safety Officer Tony Payne, the Club will be liaising with the Police to identify the individuals concerned and appropriate action will be taken.

“The Club would like to apologise, firstly to the young people initially targeted, but also to anyone else affected by this vile abuse.

“However the Club is heartened by the level of support shown to the police and stewards on the day and the subsequent support from supporters online since.

“The actions of this small minority only highlights the need for such days as Saturday and that we all need to double our efforts to eradicate all forms of discrimination.

In an update to the clubs original statement the club's Safety Officer Tony Payne has urgently reviewed the information and evidence regarding the disorder at the ground during the game against Bradford City last weekend.

As a result of this review 9 people have today been sent letters informing them they are banned from the ground following their actions on the day.

A further 15 people are likely to receive similar letters once their identity/addresses are confirmed.

The updated statement read: “This preliminary action taken by the club is an indication of how seriously we regard this matter, and is separate from any action that may be taken by the police.

“The club are continuing to assist the police as they investigate whether any of those people identified should also face criminal proceedings.”

Should any person have any further information that they believe could assist the club or police in these investigations they should use the contact details listed below.

Sara Odeen-Isbister has reported the story in the Barking & Dagenham post.

Councillor Cameron Geddes and I have shared views and he has made a vital point in stating that the club has had a good history of fighting racism. The Cabinet Member for Finance, Revenues and Benefits, told me that he was “not surprised they've acted quickly.”

I couldn’t agree more with Councillor Geddes and am chuffed at how my hometown team has responded. The club has reacted magnificently and I’ve written to them to highlight this.

Anybody who feels that they can help with these enquiries is urged to contact Tony Payne either by e-mail -Tony@daggerssafety.info or by post at the club.

Alternatively the Club's Police Liaison Officer, PC Mark Osborne can be contacted direct on 07786691558 or for complete confidentiality ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Ed Miliband challenges the Prime Minister on working tax credits

Labour leader Ed Miliband used today’s Prime Minister’s Questions to challenge David Cameron to say what advice he would give to the thousands of couples on low incomes who will lose nearly £4,000 when cuts to working tax credits are introduced in April.

Couples currently receive Working Tax Credit if they work at least 16 hours a week, but from next month this will change to 24 hours. A survey of Usdaw members affected by the change found that 78% say they are unable to find the additional hours they need to avoid losing their Working Tax Credit. A survey of employers just released by Working Families has found that only 17% are confident of being able to meet the requests for the extra hours their staff need.

Citing the example of Usdaw member Tim Howes, whose family will lose over £60 a week, Ed Miliband asked the Prime Minister what advice he would give Mr Howes and his wife who, despite trying, have been unable to find the extra hours of work they need.

Mr Cameron avoided addressing the key point that because of the economic downturn many people simply can’t get extra hours from their current employer or find alternative employment and instead reiterated the government’s position that the cuts to tax credits were ‘fair’.

Tim Howes is a delivery driver for a major national supermarket. He works 20 hours a week, 4 hours over five days from 5.00pm until 9.00pm. Tim’s wife Sam used to work in a supermarket as well, but found that their hours of work clashed and that childcare was very difficult to arrange, so Sam had to give up her job last year. Since then Sam has been looking for a job that will fit in with school hours so that she can be there for their 3 school-age children, but she has been unable to find one as employers require total flexibility which she is not able to offer.

Tim says “I have approached my employer to increase my hours but have been told that there simply isn't the hours there. In fact most of my work colleagues are on part time contracts. I would love to work full time!”

“My family at the moment is just about keeping its head above water, with myself the only earner. I feel this cut in working tax credit and just not being able to secure four extra contracted hours a week could finally be the last straw.”

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary said:

“Once again the key point that Usdaw and other organisations are making has been missed by the government. Couples faced with losing their Working Tax Credit are desperately trying to find extra hours of work or other jobs but because of the economic situation they are simply unable to do so.”

“Ed Miliband met with Mr Howes and other Usdaw members affected by the changes this morning and I hope both David Cameron and the Chancellor George Osborne will do likewise and respond positively to the request to meet affected families we made yesterday.”

“I’m sure that before making a final decision that will consign thousands of families to poverty, they will wish to listen to the problems couples are facing in finding extra hours of work, and the consequences of the loss of nearly £4,000 from families only just getting by on incomes around £18,000.”

Are parents inadvertently harming their children with paracetamol?

Are parents inadvertently harming their children with paracetamol?

Experts warn that paracetamol misuse could lead to liver damage in children

Of the medicinal products for children that they are aware of only a quarter (27%) of parents actually know which contain paracetamol, reveals new research by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS). With many of these products being used to treat ailments that they have no proven effect on, there is a danger that some children could be exposed to liver damage through accidental paracetamol misuse.

According to the results of the survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, 1 in 6  (17%) surveyed parents of children aged 12 or under did not know that Calpol, one of the most popular products used in children’s treatment contained paracetamol. The knowledge of other popular medicines among parents was even more worrying. More than two thirds are unaware that commonly used products such as Disprol (68%), Medised (79%) and Medinol (76%) contain paracetamol.

Steve Tomlin, RPS spokesperson and consultant pharmacist said: “The decision to use paracetamol in a child is often undertaken by parents and carers without discussion or contact with a healthcare professional. This, combined with the lack of awareness on which products contain paracetamol, may have serious effects on children’s health, such as exposure to long term liver damage. Whilst taking paracetamol at the recommended dose and frequency is safe, evidence shows that only small increases of just an extra dose a day over the course of three days can potentially cause liver damage.”

“The risk of accidental overdose is even higher if children have multiple carers, as monitoring of the medicine administration is much more difficult”.

Considering the fact that carers often carry on treatment for several days without seeking professional advice (over a third of those surveyed (34%) said they have used paracetamol or Calpol for 3 or more days to treat their child, before seeking professional advice), it is not surprising that problems can happen.

Survey results also reveal confusion amongst parents as to which ailments paracetamol is actually an effective treatment for. Although, they would mostly consider using paracetamol (e.g. Calpol, Disprol, Medinol etc.) correctly for a number of conditions in young children aged 12 or under – including teething pains (70%), fever (80%) and stomach pains (36%) – the findings also show that some parents would consider using the same products to treat ailments which paracetamol has no proven effect on, with 20% using it for cough and 6% for sleep.

As high as 38% of parents perceive paracetamol to be a relatively ‘safe drug,’ because it is sold over the counter, with over half (52%) saying the same about Calpol.

Steve Tomlin adds: “Paracetamol is safe as long as it’s administered at the recommended dose. There are 95 products containing paracetamol currently available from pharmacists in the UK. With this widespread availability of paracetamol containing products, it is feasible that a parent could inadvertently administer more than the recommended dose of paracetamol”.

According to the survey, almost a quarter (24%) of parents in Britain admit to giving their child two or more over-the-counter products containing paracetamol at some point during the course of their illness.

The recommended doses of paracetamol have been changed in order to ensure that children get the most effective dose of paracetamol. The introduction of the new dosing instructions and advice was introduced in November 2011, with companies who produce paracetamol for sale in the UK are required to put information regarding the new doses in the patient information leaflet.

Steve Rotheram MP & Hillsborough

Fellow Liverpool fan Steve Rotheram is a  Galactico MP - instantly likeable, humble and supremely popular with his constituents. He's an individual who's in his element and grateful for having the opportunity to "stand up and represent" his constituents in Parliament.

We met over a quick coffee at Portcullis House and it was simply inspiring talking to the Liverpool Walton MP about the effort he has put into supporting the families of those that lost loved ones at Hillsborough in 1989.

Steve has played a crucial role since 1989 and I've interviewed him about his contribution to a struggle that has gone global after refusing to be confined to the history books. It should be a very interesting read and will be published in April - Watch this space.

Addressing Complex and Interlocking Seminar

Emdad Rahman: The Osmani Trust, a youth and community organization in Tower Hamlets, recently facilitated a seminar titled, “Addressing Complex and Interlocking Needs” for children and young people.

Isobel Cattermole – Corporate Director of LBTH Schools, Children and Familes expressed great pleasure at the facilities for women at the Osmani Centre and in her keynote speech said: “All our organisations must come together. Our children are dear, they are an indictment on us and the responsibility falls on all of us here to ensure they have the best possible support in life.”

Steve Matthews, the chief executive of the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation was one of the key guest speakers. He spoke passionately about the benefits of mentoring: “Mentoring is an intervention working alongside other interventions.”

Mathews described Osmani Trust’s SHAATHI mentoring project as an example of good practice. He further said: “Lots of mentoring happens informally. It’s about the structures in one’s life and mentoring is an intervention to negative issues being faced by a person.

“In the UK, 20% of volunteering is around mentoring. Mentoring is not coaching; it helps individuals take responsibilities in their lives through motivation, inspiration, guidance and being role models. A little time every week can make a huge difference to a person’s life. ”

Shafiur Rahman, expert on Islamic culture elaborated on research carried out primarily by the Muslim Youth Helpline (MYH). The Islamic studies teacher informed participants that in 2001, there were 1.6 million Muslims living in the UK, compared to a total population of 58.7 million people.

Citing DWP sources, the Imam added: “Just under three-quarters of Bangladeshi and Pakistani children (73%) are living in households below the poverty line (60% of median income). This compares with under a third (31%) for children in all households.

“47% of Muslim students have experienced Islamophobia.” (FOSIS (Federation of Student Islamic Societies) survey, 2005)

It was mentioned that between 2001 and 2003 there was a 302% increase in ‘stop and search’ incidents among Asian people, compared with 118% among white people. (Home Office, Statistics on Race and the Criminal Justice System, 2004).

The Imam also believes that BAME / Muslim communities have had little or no role in research, policy making or resource allocation and pointed towards a survey of 136 Muslim young people, undertaken to research their opinions on the Government’s Green paper’ Youth Matters’ (2005) which reported that 40% of the 51 Muslim young people responding to the online survey considered the standard of service provision in their local area to be ‘poor’, with 15% describing it as ‘terrible’. 

Eileen McGeeney is the deputy Manager of the Outreach Team at Norman Grove, which is part of the Adolescent Recourse Centre. She said: “We have been working with around 30 young people and their families in the last six months. 50% of these referrals are for Bangladeshi families. At present we are working with 12 young women and 6 young men. Their ages are from 13 to 16yrs.

“The remainder referrals are for Black, Mixed Parentage, White families. During the last six months there has been a significant increase in the number of Bangladeshi young women being referred.”

McGeeney presented delegates with a list of what constitutes inappropriate male relationships. These relationships are part of the Grooming Process resulting from dependency and coercion. Vulnerable young people are bought items such as new clothes or top up for phones. Eventually in return the perpetrators ask for sexual favours in return. Thus a significant number of young people get deeper into these relationships and become sexually exploited, often through introduction to other men.

Carly Adams, Children’s Services Practitioner, Street Matters. Adams spoke about the sexual exploitation of young people.

The definition of sexual exploitation is when a young person who is under 18 years old is persuaded, forced, tricked, bribed, threatened or made to take part, in a sexual act and they are given something in return for it, whether they want it or not.  A sexual act includes vaginal or anal sex, oral sex (headz, bocat), hand job, masturbation, posing for pictures, stripping, dancing.

Adams used the National Working Group 2008 Safeguarding Children and Young People From Sexual Exploitation DCSF 2009 guidance to describe sexual exploitation: “sexual exploitation of children and young people under 18 involves exploitative situations, contexts and relationships where young people (or a third person or persons) receive ‘something’ (e.g. food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts, money) as a result of them performing, and/or another or others performing on them, sexual activities.”

The ‘something in return’ could be money, a phone, nice clothes, cigarettes/alcohol/other drugs, protection, gang membership, accommodation, food, affection.

Victims of sexual exploitation are often led to believe that they are consenting because they are in relationships or are friends with those exploiting them. The perpetrators might be only slightly older in age and will have spent a long time grooming them and building up their trust. Consent is often constrained

And the young person thinks they are giving consent but it may be under duress, or based on false information or threats. As a result the victim is very likely to have issues with trust. Risks include rape/assault allegations, being seen in ‘hotspot’ areas, injuries, STIs/ pregnancies, self harming, older boyfriends, substance use, DV in family.

Signs to look out for include new clothes, mobiles, unexplained money or gifts, being seen in hotspot areas, getting in cars with groups of men.

Sexual exploitation: Key factors in Tower Hamlets

·         22% under 15 years of age

·         34% 20-34 years

·         Very deprived area of the UK

·         Poor, overcrowded housing

·         High incidence of gang violence

·         Growing alcohol and substance use amongst young Muslims

Abu Mumin, Senior Manager of Osmani Trust spoke of the benefits that Osmani Trust had bought to the community: “Who can forget the days when we used to operate from a leaking portable cabin? When it rained outside, it rained outside, but we did some of our greatest work and since then thousands of young people have passed through our doors.”

Syed Tohel Ahmed, director of Nafas spoke about how drugs and alcohol directly affects children and young people: In England and Wales, 3% of children live with drug abusing parents. In Scotland it is 5%. For some children this is seen as normal everyday life.

In England almost 1.3 million children live with a parent who is harmfully alcohol dependent. On a local level, there are 3,795 crack and opiate users in Tower Hamlets. We often underestimate in our analysis – the child does see the animal in the room.”

Rahima Khan is a mentee of the project. She spoke with pride about her relationship with her mentor Nurjahan: “She’s like an older sister, a guide, she drives me mad. Nurjahan helped me feel happy about myself and was tremendous in helping me get over the loss of my mother. Working with her has raised my self esteem and I am now confident enough to volunteer mentor others who need support.”

Mentor Rugena Begum added that she had joined to bolster her experiences and CV for a short period but the satisfaction she received from metoring has seen her stay with the project for 4 years: “It’s important to give young people a voice, space and an outlet.”

Shaathi Mentoring Programme is a project of the Osmani Trust. The Trust is a youth and community organisation that offers a wide range of community, health and sports initiatives tailored to the needs of the community. It aims to provide a holistic service, which helps people, particularly those living in disadvantaged urban communities to re-engage with mainstream society and improve their quality of life.

The mentoring project implements an early intervention approach in working with disadvantaged and deprived members of the BAME (Black, Asian, Minority and Ethnic) communities. Many of our clients are identified as being at risk of becoming excluded from mainstream services such as education, training and employment or are engaged in anti-social behaviour or known to the criminal justice system. The project seeks to enable and support clients to overcome different challenges and barriers in their day to day lives. Mentors are matched to clients who need and want a caring and responsible adult who will steer and guide them back on track.The mentoring project works with and alongside mainstream services such as School’s, PRU’s, Youth and Connexions Services, Social Services, Youth Offending Teams, Probations Services, NHS and other agencies.

The project acquired the Approved Provider Standard (APS) which is a nationally recognised Accreditation provided by the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation in 2006 and was re-accredited in 2009. Shaathi has also attained the Investing in Volunteers (IIV) status in 2008.