“All the knowledge I have gained has helped me in life and in college” – Abdul’s Story

Background

After moving to the UK a few years ago, Abdul began helping out at Crumpsall Youth Centre. He quickly gained confidence and has become an important member of the team.

Originally from Afghanistan, Abdul and his family were forced to move from their home country first to Berlin and then eventually to Manchester. For many young people moving from one school to another is challenging enough, but moving from different countries and leaving behind your home provides a different challenge.

Finding a community

Abdul is a member of the Crumpsall Park Youth Club. He is now an incredibly valued member of the Crumpsall Youth Club, by both friends and staff, and has recently began volunteering for the club, setting a great example for the other young people.

“I was at the summer play scheme where I took my little brothers. I saw that they were doing a project cleaning the garden and I got involved. When I first moved here in 2017 I didn’t know anyone, I’d just stay at home because I had no friends”

Getting involved in projects

Abdul was keen to get involved with environmental projects in Crumpsall when he saw the impact it had on the local community:

“I know lots of people in the area and I got involved in every environmental project at Crumpsall Park, helping to give out information and using my local contacts.  It was exciting at times, one time we had a call to say we could collect some spare wood for a project, I helped get a group together and all the consent forms signed.  We used the wood to build a vertical garden in Crumpsall Park, the children really enjoyed planting the flowers.  Everyone we asked said the area looked better due to our hard work.”

Abdul also said that getting involved in other Groundwork programmes has given him experience and knowledge when it comes to his personal life and college work:

“I’ve been involved in all of Groundwork GM Youth Voice sessions and I’ve done the climate leaders training.  All the knowledge I have gained by being involved has helped me in life and in college. I plan to be involved in the Crumpsall Climate Leaders group to see how we might be able to add to plans for the area.”

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