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

Scintilla CC take over One Third Soup Kitchen

By Emdad Rahman

"Anyone who has struggled with poverty knows how expensive it is to be poor" James Baldwin. 

It was rainy, dark and bleak. The town centre was bustling though. My team Scintilla Cricket Club had taken on the soup kitchen duties for tonight. Our club captain Ahmed, Tahmina and little Aliana had prepared massive pots of delectable and delicious bhuna kichuri with beef stew. The aroma from the boot of the car during the journey over had driven me crazy. I plotted to have a bit at some point before the shift was over. 

The guests were there waiting and they were ravenous. Before we'd even set up the stall we had a massive assembly build up. Usually our friends lend a helping hand carrying the table, water and food over, or they stay a short distance and patiently let us get it all together. Today was different. They were all really hungry, there was an urgency and came right up close, forming a large huddle around us. Onlookers and tourists stopped to see what was going on. 

We had two massive pots of food and it all flew off the shelf. We had to get extra drinks to keep up. The overall atmosphere was vivacious and a vivid. The team were buoyed and vibrant throughout. 'I hope you're all here again next week,' said Rosie to first team skipper Ayaz. 

Amanda told me how happy she was after being interviewed by Tom Parmenter last week for Sky News. Billy asked about joining the team. Paul was in a hurry and left with his food. In between serving I counted 57 guests served. 

Sport has the capacity to deliver amazing change and I'm bursting with pride that my team mates joined me on the soup kitchen tonight. 

At Scintilla Cricket Club it's a lot more than just sport and we all take our social responsibilities very seriously. The club are champions on and off the pitch and a fantastic example of good citizenship and community engagement. I hope this inspires other teams to do the same - That would be pretty awesome.

This was the teams first experience of serving homeless guests and they were like ducks to water. They chatted to guests, served them food and water and their general intermingling with the masses proved very popular. After all, let's not forget that for many of our homeless guests these positive vibes are often rare experiences for them. Many guests tell me that they look forward to the interaction just as much as the delicious food. We even recruited a new volunteer tonight - a young chap called Luke. 

I never did get to taste the lavish fare on offer tonight - Ashraful and second team skipper Riadh dished up the last serving to one final guest. 

If you'd like to help out please tweet me @emdad07

One Third filmed for Sky News

This week we had a special guest as Tom Parmenter from Sky News join us on the soup kitchen at Stratford City.

Apparently Owen Smith thinks he can eradicate homelessness within 5 years if he was to come into power. In my humble opinion these 5 minutes in the limelight career politicians should act more responsibly and stop making outlandish claims - especially at the expense of some of our most vulnerable fellow citizens.

Stevie was in floods of tears tonight. He kept saying, 'I'm so embarrassed. It took us a few minutes to calm him down as he had worked himself into a right state. Amanda gave an interview to Tom and Billy snapped the snapper (see pic).

There were plenty of new faces today - That is modern day London for you. Each one was a happy customer as the chicken and lentil soup with pitta bread went down a total treat.

We will be on Sky News tomorrow morning. If you'd like to help with a dish or join us on a shift then please get in touch with me on Twitter - @emdad07

One Third soup kitchen round off Ramadan

Emdad Rahman: The One Third soup kitchen team finished the last shift of Ramadan 2016 with a biriani belter at Stratford City. Tonight's team consisted of a mix of adults and kiddos all determined to serve their community. 

Homeless citizens are no different you any of us. It's not choice but circumstances which puts them in such dark places. I mean what sadist would go out intentionally to sleep rough or in a hostel? They deserve the same respect and dignity as any other fellow being. 

The kids were briefed on etiquette and each one was on top form, serving, smiling and chatting to our homeless guests. We had a Police officer join us for a bit whilst he was waiting to be picked up by his colleagues. With Germany playing Italy in the Euros the town centre was bustling and it made sense to have the visible presence of the boys and girls in blue amongst us. 

The delicious biriani was gone within the hour. Well the punters said it was delicious. We couldn't sample evens teeny morsel because everyone was fasting and there was none to take away. That's how good it was. 

The food was provided by my Chach Moklis and his family on behalf of their deceased father. He was a true soul and his legacy lives on amongst his children and grandchildren. I should know - my family have had the good fortune of three generations of mingling with these rascals.

Our regulars were there. Rosie took extras and the Eastern Europeans were very friendly with the kids. We did miss the bubbly Amanda tonight. Bully said he hadn't seen her for a while and we hope she's good. 

Thanks to Abdullah, Talha, Zainab, Ayesha, Amina, Hamza and Aunty Dil for the cracking support.

If you see a homeless person next time you're out then please buy them a bottle of water, or a coffee or a sandwich. Smile and talk to them for just one minute. You'll fill their day with sunshine. 

If you'd like to help me on a shift then you can message me on Twitter @emdad07

One Third Soup Kitchen bring in the kids

Tonight at Booth House I was joined by youth from the Splash Life Skills Project - Better known as Amzy's Angels. 




They were total stars the lot of them and straight after my briefing finished each took to their roles like ducks to water. 




'They're like Angels, they don't judge and I don't feel bad or embarrassed looking them in the eye when they give me food,' said Sharon, one of our homeless guests. 




She's right is our Shazza. Young people are easiest to work with - they're not prejudiced and rarely have hang ups. They get on with it. They don't stare. These kids chose to be here and it was really interesting to watch them. They were polite, full of beans, smiled and engaged in banter with ever homeless guest who graced us with their presence tonight. All I could do was tell them they were amazing and had done so much to break down barriers, misconceptions and stereotypes. 




Anyway, I met a Rangers and Celtic fan tonight. With me wearing the famous hoops it wasn't difficult I guess. We had a chat about the season ahead and how Rangers presence back in the top flight will liven things in the Scottish Premiership. 




The biriani was gone in no time and the youngsters served juice, soft drinks and cakes. We are all very grateful to Emma Coles for the delicious cup cakes. If I hadn't been fasting I would have caved in and devoured one pronto. 




Thank you Jamie, Tahmina, Shahel, Niyaz, Mahib, Sadi, Abid and Hamza for your fantastic help tonight. A special one is reserved for my compadre Amrana for arranging all the food. 




If you'd like to support us in person or by providing good for a shift then please get in touch - Twitter @emdad07