A wide range of groups from all across Belfast are signing up to the SEB programme. Taking part in the programme gives groups a chance to review their current position, talk to someone about their ideas and share their vision for the future of their organisations, and get the support they need to take these ideas to the next level.
Here is a flavour for the kinds of groups who are involved in the SEB programme from your community:
Al Nisa Association NI: Training and publications supporting Muslim women living in Northern Ireland.
An Droichead: Promoting the use of Irish language and culture
Belfast GEMS: Employability services, supporting marginalised groups to access job opportunities
Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid: Support to women suffering from domestic violence
Belfast Print Workshop Gallery: Supporting arts and crafts individuals sustain a living
Connect NICEM: Language interpretation services
Gingerbread NI: Support to lone parents
Mornington Community Project: Community Cafe
NOW Project: Training and employment services for people with learning disabilities
Oasis Caring In Action: Run a number of successful social enterprises in the East Belfast area via their trading arm - Oasis Trading Ltd, including social housing, community cafe, catering, training services, and a handyman scheme.
Outsource: Financial management services for individuals, community groups and small businesses
Scribbles Day Nursery: Day nursery social enterprise
South Belfast Malecare: Improving quality of life for men living in the Donegall Road area
Tar Anall: Training and support services for ex-prisoners
T.R.E.E: Timber recycling social enterprise
Voluntary Service Bureau: Providing support to volunteers and to those needing volunteers
Wheelworks: Youth arts projects
YMCA: Improving the mind, body and soul of people living in Belfast
Northern Ireland Muslim Family Association (NIMFA)
Muslims in Northern Ireland:
Muslims have been living in Northern Ireland (NI) from the late 1940s, coming from many different ethnic backgrounds. Their number has been increasing over the years, and the last census gives the figure of 2000 Muslims in N.I. The majority live in Belfast, and the rest live in various cities around NI. The majority of Muslims are resident professionals who are well established in the community.
NIMFA's Background:
Over the years, there has been a growing feeling that the resident Muslims of NI are in urgent need of a family organisation which focuses most of its attention on the needs of Muslim families in NI. NIMFA is committed to integrating with the life of the local society of N.I., whilst at the same time preserving Islamic identity. The recent troubles in the world and in Europe in particular have confirmed, yet again, the feeling of the need for integration and family strategy. NIMFA moved into their new NIMFA Family Centre in July 2003.
What is NIMFA?
NIMFA stands for Northern Ireland Muslim Family Association. Membership is open to all Muslim families living in Northern Ireland.
What are NIMFA s objectives?
1- To promote the spiritual, social, educational, recreational, psychological and physical well-being of all members of the family.
2- To help these families preserve their Islamic identities, and integrate in the community of Northern Ireland as Northern Irish Muslims.
3- To complement the work of other local and national organisations supporting local Muslim families
4- To organise and facilitate voluntary community work.
What are NIMFA's activities?
Holding workshops, seminars, lectures, training days and discussion groups on:
Islamic family life, Parenting, Childhood development, Adolescence, Marital life, Family communication, Counselling, Mixed marriages, Mothers and fathers, health issues, Families with special needs, Commitments to the local society, Other issues on Muslim family life.
Specific activities run at NIMFA:
Hikmah School, Family support & counselling, Parenting Discussion/ Training Group, Children's education on the Quran, Sunnah, Islamic Manners, Arabic language, Special groups for young Muslims, Regular workshops for all the family members, Education for adults: Islam, languages (Arabic & English), Introducing Islam to Non-Muslims, Organising Friday Prayer, Ramadan special programme, Annual Eid Dinner (when we invite the Lord Mayor of Belfast & friends).
Why we are interested in the social economy?
NIMFA are currently developing a number of ideas for potential social enterprise, as an organisation they are keen to secure their long term sustainability and expand the range of services and support they can offer to the Muslim community.
For more information contact: 7 Rugby Road, BT7 1PS, Northern Ireland.
Tel: 02890 315784 Mobile: 07743317917
Email: NIMFABELFAST@aol.com or visit the nimfa website by clicking here.
