*Picture shows new members of the Somali Men's Forum
New research, to be launched at a public meeting on Sunday, shows a big gap between NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) statistics relating to young men from Somalia in Manchester and the experiences of families in the Somali community itself.
The meeting will try to understand why such a large gap exists between the official records and the families' own experiences - and will provide a platform for people in the Somali community to discuss their concerns about the education of young Somali men. It will also publicise the new Manchester Somali Men's Forum which is helping to address many of the issues highlighted in the report.
Dr Rhetta Moran and Ms Zeinab Mohamed will deliver a short presentation on the research they carried out “What's around NEET – and Why? Young men from Somali backgrounds (2012)”. The research was commissioned by Manchester Central Collegiate in partnership with Focusing First on People and it involved eight schools, Connexions and people from the Somali community.
The meeting will be chaired by Zeinab Mohamed, who is a Matron of RAPAR, the Manchester-based human rights organisation. Speakers will include Somali parents from Manchester schools and a former pupil from Manchester Academy. Having been invited to the meeting, Manchester City Council's Director of Children and Family Services intends to send a representative and Greater Manchester Police have said that the Divisional Commander with responsibility for Longsight and Moss Side will consider sending a representative. Tony Lloyd MP is keen to join us. Moss Side councillors and teacher trade union representatives have also been invited.
A spokesperson for the Somali Men's Forum said: “We hope to create an education group within the Forum following the discussions at the meeting. This meeting is addressing issues that have not been addressed before and we will show how passionate the Forum is about working with the community. The Forum is providing a resource which is benefiting young people and their families. It is accessible to young people: they can relate to members of the Forum because we have already been through the education system and know what it is like for them.”
An 18 year old who will speak at the meeting added: “The meeting will be a great experience for the Somali community, it shows there are people out there who care and will provide young people with the support they need. The support I received from the Forum has encouraged me to go to college.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Zeinab Mohamed (Researcher and Matron, RAPAR) 07411188555
Rhetta Moran (Researcher and Matron, RAPAR) 07776264646
Abdul Omar (Chair, Somali Men’s Forum) 07427659279
For more information about this Public Meeting, click here.
To download and read the full research report 'Who's around NEET? - and Why? Young men from Somali Backgrounds', click here.