Building community spirit through volunteering

Maybe a home is nothing but two arms holding you tight when you're at your worst. 

It's been a busy weekend for us. On Christmas Eve I visited Mujib's Chill & Grill who very generously agreed to donate 50% of the days profits to Ummah Welfare Trust. Straight after that Moklis, Mumidul and all the kids came together to deliver the weekly One Third Soup kitchen at Stratford City. My aunt Shanaz had provided delicious biriani, long with cakes from Maria and  a car load of presents from Nazia, Luisa, Pericles and the generous team at Pearson Old Street, London. I had bags of clothes from Laurain. Everything went down a treat but we were missing some of our regulars in Amanda, Rose, Paul, Billy, Terry and Petr. We used up the whole lot and guess what? We weren't short either. Everything was perfect and nobody went away empty handed or disappointed. We left Stratford with one parcel remaining.

There were plenty new faces though and we let the kids take a more hands on role after briefing them on the journey over to Stratford. They were total stars and each one was a complete natural, interacting with smiles and small talk, handing over gifts, food and spreading cheer. 

We had a talented drummer to keep us company and it was like having our own private performing artist. It made me smile and gave me hope for our communities in the future. If the adults can nurture and instil togetherness, unity and an innate desire to serve those less fortunate then our understanding and tolerance of each other can only get stronger as our relationships with everyone blooms. It is that simple really. That and education too. And also a willingness from all communities to try and get on - Too often the focus is unfairly on a handful. 

Christmas Day was the first time I noticed that the number of immigrant homeless friends visiting the Whitechapel Mission outnumbered the natives. Crisis run their camps so a lot of the regular visitors had spread out but even then we served well over 150 homeless guests. Sue and Tony were on hand as always to guide, support and advise. Ramesh kept everyone in stitches with his pranks and gags throughout. 

The Whitechapel Mission is a unique charity. In 2016:

• 6941 different people have used the services so far. 
• 3,714 people have used the advice services during the past year. 293 were women.
• 10% of people using services are under 26 years of age.
• 311 people received help in claiming benefits.
• 30% of people using the services have been in care at some point.

In 2017 I'm proud to announce that I will be running the British 10k for The Whitechapel Mission for the tenth year in a row. It'll be a personal landmark for me if I can make it and I have no intention of stopping yet. 

As part of a drive I had agreed to join Sister Christine Frost and Neighbours in Poplar to help out with a Christmas Day community initiative whereby approximately 130 Christmas meals were prepared and delivered by volunteers to the homes of elderly and vulnerable local residents. 

Neighbours in Poplar came into being in October 1969, when some concerned people gathered together a large number of senior citizens in Pope John House for a Christmas Party.

Because this was so successful and a need had obviously been met, volunteers began to meet regularly, visiting and providing necessary service for people living in the Poplar area of London E14. NIP offers Multi-Faith Care in the community, practical support and care for vulnerable people who are living at home, regardless of their faith, age, race, gender, culture, or disability. The team also provide disadvantaged children with breaks from their normal environment during the summer holidays.

I finished my day with a hearty meal with Robbo at Ariana. I am tired but very satisfied and full of life after my experience today. I did receive lots of messages for friends wanting to volunteer and am sorry I couldn't accommodate one and all. I would thoroughly recommend that everyone signs up for some volunteering and go through the channels by signing up for shifts where necessary. 

With our soup kitchen you could just turn up with some notice though. If you don't find an experience fulfilling or worthwhile then move on and change until you find your niche. It'll boost confidence, keep you happy, you'll be making a significant difference and will make new friends. It's win win all the way. 

Remember, our homeless, vulnerable and needy friends are not a problem - They are a result of a greater problem. It is our responsibility to support them. 

If you'd like to support please tweet me @emdad07

25 years of super Cam Geddes

Cam swore he'd been framed 

He'd crossed Hadrian's Wall freely

So Barking & Dagenham claimed

A vice chair for the dog poo committee

Maroon blazers and a polluted lake 

Seven years as a deputy

Prodigal returns after a four year break 

To help whip the BNP

It isn't all about the money

Freedom of the borough a silver cloud

Extending Eastbrook Cemetery

Moments to make that man proud 

After the Polish Bohemian Rhapsody

Cam joins some motor industry

This was certainly no freebie 

Nor a jaunt to Milan and Italy

Panic! losing the girls choir in that wood

'Shape-Up' overspent fifty mil

Tears when a disabled swimmer came good

Macho man is not yet over the hill

Now surely a stint in the grand chamber 

In robes and chains Cam can read the scores

Darth Vader can add some flavour

With the theme tune from Star Wars

An impressive quarter century

Life for the Spurs fan ups a gear 

You're not yet quite ready to be set free 

Wishing Cam many more a happy year

Poets note: It's actually 26 years I read this at Cam's 25 year celebration last year.  He ain't perfect though - He follow Spurs. Congratulations on being made a Freeman!

Scintilla are crowned National Cricket League Division 2 champions!

By Emdad Rahman

On a day of drama Scintilla CC added another fairytale chapter to their history to be crowned champions of the National Cricket League (NCL) Division 2. 

The Barking & Dagenham outfit faced relegation threatened London Tigers 2 at Hackney Marshes with both teams going all out for a must win victory. 

Scintilla were without the gargantuan Juwel Roy  who suffered a fracture in the previous day's Essex County Cricket League clash against Aztecs CC and was unable to take his place in the team for this vital fixture. 

The home side won the toss and batted first to reach 218/9 from 40 overs. Zisan Abedin top scored with 45, vice captain Sajal Rahman (37), Aminul Shihan (35), Abul Hasib (27), Rishad Haque (22). Salman Ahmed, Giasuddin Tutul, Jamil Ahmed and Jamil Chowdhury took two wickets apiece. 

London Tigers were in no mood to roll over and had former Bangladesh Cricket Board coach Shahidul Alam Ratan on the sidelines to offer support and encouragement. It inspired the team as they defied the form book to reach 220/6 from 39 overs to record an impressive win. Top scorers were Giasuddin Tutul (45) and Salman Ahmed (30). 

London Tigers celebrated with great gusto as Scintilla, who received 8 points from the game, waited on official confirmation of the league standings. 

In the other match of the day, second placed Kothi 3 CC played Ishaque Shawn's Supernova and were bowled out for 191 in 27 overs. Supernova took 22.3 overs to reach 192 and win the game by 6 wickets thus confirming Scintilla were crowned Division 2 champions by 6 points. Also promoted from the 14 team league are Kothi 3 and Redbridge 3. Despite an impressive win against the champions, the relegation fate of London Tigers 2 was also confirmed. 

The National Cricket League management congratulated both teams (Scintilla and Kothi) Co Founders of the National Cricket League Nahed Patel (League Chairman) and Sajid Patel (League Secretary) said, 'congratulations to Scintilla and Kothi for playing their part in an incredible season in such a challenging Division Two. You both will be excellent additions to next years Division One.'

With sunset on the horizon Scintilla celebrated, but as the heavens opened and the rain showered down over Hackney Marshes, each man beat a retreat to the sanctuary of the club house, whilst others headed home as the groundsman signalled he was ready to lock the carpark. It was enough - In the year of their tenth anniversary Scintilla had created another piece of golden history. 

Club captain Ahmed Choudhury said, 'It's a meteoric rise for our club and this is another fantastic memory and fairytale chapter in our scrapbook. Congratulations to everyone - It's time to enjoy this success and come come back fitter and sharper for future challenges. Huge thanks go to our sponsors Right Call App and Apex Mortgage Advice Ltd for their support. The backing has been invaluable.'

First team skipper Ayaz Karim, who has lead from the front all season added, 'We lost today and that was really disappointing. But I'm not going to say anything else on that matter. Everyone who has worn the Scintilla shirt has played like a lion this season and it is befitting that we have been crowned champions. The hard work begins as we look forward to the next campaign but for now we will reflect and enjoy our achievements.'

Club chairman Emdad Rahman MBE concluded, 'This is the stuff of dreams. It's been a rigorous season and the competition has been immense. All the players have shown heart, enthusiasm and spirit throughout this tough season. Well done to everyone involved in achieving another monumental milestone in our history. Juwel Roy has been a giant for us this season and although he is not here today his impact throughout has been monumental.'

Scintilla Cricket Club have an ethos of community engagement. The champions took a Running Down Dementia #RDDSweatySelfie to support and highlight the work of Alzheimer's Research UK - www.alzheimersresearchuk.org

Scintilla Squad - 21 08 16 

National Cricket League (NCL)

Hackney Marshes

Ahmed Choudhury - Ayaz Karim - Sajal Rahman - Shaha Riadh - Ashish Morankar - Mohammad Badrul Alom Chowdhury - Abul Hasib - Rishad Haque - Aminul Shihan -Ahmad Norharif Hamidon - Zisan Abedin - Ashfaqur Rahaman Nobel - Emdad Rahman

Sonali Othith 40 plus football moves the game forward

Emdad Rahman: I'm currently reading a book called 'Retired' (review coming soon). It's written by Irish stand-up comedian Alan Gernon and talks about the pitfalls faced by footballers coming to the end of their careers. It's a fascinating read and splits opinion right down the middle. I met the Author at the launch of Fleet Street Sport & Media Group, which amongst many services also promotes the health, wealth and welfare of footballers and their families.

Football as a sport has a big impact on mental health and affects self-esteem, identity and many relationships. I have read a study where one in for fans claimed that football was one of the most important things in their lives. This year I had the pleasure of participating in the Sonali Othith 40 years plus veterans tournament 2016 for Dawatul Islam, who I had played for as a youth footballer. Thirty years on and it was nice playing with the boys again. Reaching 40 has served a timely reminder of just how popular football is in the community.

The summer league had six teams participating and the enthusiasm all round was great to experience. It made me think about aspects of our lives which Gernon highlights in his book. Let's look at the phenomena of the retired footballer. One day the world is their oyster and then they retire, sudden or after years of service, and the world comes to a standstill. Apart from a handful, who go into TV, punditry, coaching and maybe business, many have to retrain for a new career Or find something to keep themselves ticking over. Quite a few can’t handle being out of the limelight - no selfies, adulation, autographs, invites. Some turn broke within a very short time, whilst others suffer with major social issues, marital break ups, bankruptcy, alcohol/drugs dependency, gambling, which they struggle to overcome.

Although the lives of all the veterans participating at the Sonali Othith 2016 Masters differ vastly from their professional millionaire superiors there can be parallels in what happens after these people reach a certain age when they have to step away from the level of the game they have played for so long. Most vets I know hold down a job or have business or family commitments they take care of on a daily basis. Football is a release for them which provides physical and mental stimulation. My friends and I play football at Mulberry Leisure Centre on a Friday and although WhatsApp is good it's the only time we actually get to meet physically as a group. The experience is one we look forward to with great gusto. It's a treat at the end of a hard working week and sets us up for a productive and relaxing weekend ahead. This is not unusual. The Leisure Centre has pockets of bookings, all mates getting together for a football social on a Friday night. This happens all over the city, in fact the country, continent and planet. Do you get my drift? It's not just football is it? In fact football improves life quality.

In 2010 the Mental Health Foundation said that for people with depression, “Comparative studies have shown that exercise can be as effective as medication or psychotherapy”. Football helps everyday people and helps break isolation and depression.

Which brings me back to the 5 a side tournament. Poplar were worthy winners of the 2016 40 years plus showcase with Masud Miah a worthy recipient of man of the tournament. Dawatul Islam were the surprise package and raised many eyebrows to finish second. Shagor showed great character to finish in third place on the last day, and Shadwell, CAG and Ocean contributed to a successful tournament. Every player was an ambassador and each team served to remind us of how important it is to remain active at an age where many lapse into a retirement mindset.

The team at Sonali Othith for years have been at the forefront of promoting sports amongst the older generations. It keeps a section of the community active and productive. It helps people feel significant, relevant and in touch. It promotes a feel good factor which is good for overall wellbeing. Sonali Othith remains active in the field and recently also held the Friendship Cup, comprised of senior members of various UK welfare organisations, and which was won by the greater Lamakazi Welfare Association.

I've spoken to Dawlath Khan and Faruque Ahmed and there's some exciting projects planned. With the interest shown I can see a walking football tournament coming soon to accommodate the interest shown. In fact such has been the demand that Sonali Othith are now in the process of setting up a similar league for the winter. Then there is also the 8 a side Masters tournament in August which should be another exciting day out. In fact Sonali Othith may go further and even arrange a cup format for 45 year olds and above. This is testament to not only the hard work of Sonali Othith but also the positive mindset of a community that looks to increasingly keep active as the years roll on.

Sonali Othith means golden past but that doesn't mean that this is a place where golden oldies reminisce the good old days. It is a platform from which participants look at the past to ignite the future.

Football is a great medium to bring people together and promote an active and healthy life and I hope Sonali Othith will continue to engage with hard to reach individuals using the beautiful game to reach out and make contact. As they say, sports for all, sports for life.

www.sonaliothith.org

Ramadan 2016 with One Third Soup Kitchen

Emdad Rahman: It takes merely minutes to make a positive change I told wide eyed Inaya.

It's Ramadan 2016 and Kam and I had a new team with us today. We really enjoyed serving and mixing with our visiting guests. It was quick and effective.

In fact nowadays I advise volunteers on our soup kitchen to keep the engine running. Our guests are all ready and waiting. We set up, chat, catch up, serve, clean up and leave. It's a very quick system. The volunteers can then get back to their usual Saturday night after making a very positive difference to someone's day. It all fits well within the hustle and bustle of our modern day lives. The chicken biriani from Aysha and Ashraf was so popular it was gone within 35 minutes. Thanks to Farida for the introduction.

There is a mind-set that homeless citizens are somehow different to us. It's not at all easy accepting a plate of something from a complete stranger. They are in that position because some calamity or misfortune has befallen them. We at One Third don't judge - It could have been us receiving the hospitality. We want to use this level of outreach to help change perceptions about homelessness.

The only downside was a security guard. He was downright rude, offensive and aggressive. He made us move our table. I explained that we would be done in 30 minutes and pointed out that the roof above our heads provides shelter from the elements. I won't go into details because I don't want to give this waste of space any publicity. (I may write about this separately). I did however point out that he is nowhere to be seen when smokers and rowdy drinkers block the entrance, and when visitors feel threatened by the presence of aggressive pockets of people congregating at the entrance. But... Priorities are priorities for them I guess and these soup kitchen volunteers are a real bunch of hellraisers. He's always rude is that one - I don't know - maybe he needs a plate of the good stuff. Maybe I'll offer the 'big man' one next time.