Muslim Youth Helpline

Muslim Youth Helpline (MYH) is a national helpline in the UK providing free and confidential faith and culturally sensitive support services targeted at vulnerable young people. It is registered as a charity.

Muslim Youth Helpline
FoundedAugust 2001
FounderMohammed Sadiq Mamdani
TypeHelpline
Registration no.1108354
FocusSocial issues within the Muslim Youth
Location
Area served
United Kingdom
Websitewww.myh.org.uk

History

2001-2003: Foundation

MYH was founded in August 2001 by Mohammed Sadiq Mamdani, who at the time was 18, in response to the social problems endured by Muslim youth in the UK. It was at college that Mamdani first realised the extent of isolation that today's young Muslims experience; while problems such as drug misuse, depression and sexuality are issues common among many young people, he believed that young Muslims often need advice that takes into account broader religious and social contexts.[1]

2004-2006: Recognition, expansion, campaigns

By 2004, MYH had expanded nationwide and was the only telephone helpline of its kind in the UK. It started running a befriending scheme through which volunteers meet up with young Muslims on a social basis or provide practical help such as accompanying them to job centres, or helping fill in application forms whenever guidance is needed.

In 2004, MYH released a Prison Campaign on muslimyouth.net and was called "Behind Bars". After the huge success of the initial campaign it was adopted by MYH as an annual campaign. In 2005 they launched its "Doing a Runner" campaign to raise awareness within the community of the many young Muslims who run away from home, and may at various times in their life find themselves vulnerable, alone and homeless. The campaign concluded with "2 Dayz of Street Life", an event involving members of the public who stayed in shelters and on the streets for two days to experience what a homeless person may go through. In February 2006 MYH was awarded with the CSV Award for the "Most Heart Warming Project" of its kind.[2]

2013-present

An annual dinner takes place in May. In May 2014, special guests included Jemima Khan, Asad Ahmed, Mishal Husain amongst others.[3]

Description

Muslim Youth Helpline is a national helpline, registered as a charity, providing free and confidential faith and culturally sensitive support services targeted at vulnerable young people in the United Kingdom.[4] It does not propagate any religious or political beliefs, seeking only to provide relief to and improve the social condition of vulnerable young people.

Awards and Accreditation

MYH has won the following awards:[5]

  • 2003: AOL Innovation in the Community Award
  • 2003: National Council for Voluntary Youth Services Young Partners Award
  • 2003: Phillip Lawrence Award
  • 2003: Muslim News Community Development Award
  • 2003: BT Telephone Helplines Association Helpline Volunteer of the Year Award
  • 2004: Muslim News Award for Excellence in Community Development
  • 2004: Whitbread Young Achievers Award (awarded to Mohammed Sadiq Mamdani)
  • 2004: Purple Youth Award for "Best Youth Site" awarded to muslimyouth.net
  • 2005: Investors in People Accreditation
  • 2005: Community Care Award
  • 2005: CSV "Most Heart Warming Campaign" awarded to Prison Campaign
  • 2007: Malcolm X Young Persons Award for Excellence (awarded to muslimyouth.net)

References
  1. Mohammed Mamdani: Article on why he created MYH. (25 May 2006)
  2. Campaigns and Advocacy of MYH 2005-2006 (Accessed: November, 2014)
  3. Special guests of MYH Annual Dinner (2014)
  4. Muslim Youth Helpline About Us (Accessed: 27 November 2014)
  5. Awards and Accreditation MYH (Accessed: 27 Nov, 2014
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