User:Sakeenawalji/Muslim Youth Helpline

The Muslim Youth Helpline (MYH) is a registered charity which provides pioneering faith and culturally sensitive services to Muslim youth in the UK.

The core service is a free and confidential emotional counselling service available nationally via the telephone, email, internet and through the post. The service uses male and female volunteers trained in active listening and basic counselling skills to respond to client enquiries.

History
Founded in August 2001, the MYH began as a youth forum created by young people themselves to respond to the social problems endured by young Muslims in Britain today. The absence of effective community support schemes and the apathy to deal with rising levels of social exclusion, mental health problems, abuse and criminal activity led to the creation of an anonymous helpline service putting young people at the frontline of service provision.

In August 2001, after six months of research and planning, 18 year old Mohammed launched the Muslim Youth Helpline from his bedroom at home. With the support of his father who covered the cost of the phone line, Mohammed started MYH with little more than some folders, a few pens, and a telephone. Within weeks, news of the service spread, with Mohammed taking increasing numbers of calls.

MYH ran a year-long pilot scheme from September 2001, which led to the recruitment and training of 14 new peer-counsellors. The official service was launched in December 2002 with the transition from Mohammed’s bedroom to the Charity’s first office in Wembley Park. In September 2003, the helpline extended its opening hours and launched a free phone number to ensure that all young people could access the service and employed its first paid member of staff.

Vision and Mission
To provide faith and culturally sensitive peer support services to young Muslims in the UK.

To engage, train and develop young people in providing a platform for peer support in the community.

To challenge the barriers, stereotypes and taboos which prevent young Muslims from accessing support either in the community or mainstream services so that no young person is forced to endure their problems in silence.

Awards

 * AOL Innovation in the Community Award 2003
 * National Council for Voluntary Youth Services Young Partners Award 2003
 * BT/Telephone Helpline Association. Mohammed Sadiq Mamdani, the founder of MYH was awarded the Helpline Volunteer of the Year 2003
 * Phillip Lawrence Award 2003
 * Muslim News Community Development Award 2003
 * Muslim News Award for Excellence in Community
 * Development 2004 (sponsored by the Home Office)
 * Mohammed Sadiq Mamdani, founder of MYH was awarded the Whitbread Young Achievers Award 2004
 * Purple Youth Award for Best youth site awarded to muslimyouth.net
 * Investors in People Award, 2005
 * Community Care Award 2005
 * Prison Campaign won the CSV 'most heartwarming campaign' 2005