Under 12's Most Improved Player of the Year 2007/2008 at Handsworth United Football Club
Yousef Ali Nasser Al Ka bee joined Handsworth United Football Club 12 months ago. Yousef was very shy at first but with excellent coaching he improved considerably and became a very valuable member of the team. This is why the coaches voted him most improved player of the year.
HUFC became the Champions and won the Under 12 Division 4 Walsall Junior Youth League 3 months early, undefeated. The team was also the finalist in the Under 12 Walsall Junior Youth Cup Final. The only match they lost was the cup final 3-2 against a top Division 1 team. Yousef's father, Ali Nasser Al Ka bee, was also awarded Active Parent Award 2007/2008 by HUFC.
YCA Member Achieves Student of the Year Award
The Yemeni Community Association would like to congratulate Mohamed Abdulrab Alsalahi who has been awarded the 'Computing Student of the Year' for 2007-2008.
Mohamed who is a member of the YCA is currently studying BTEC National Diploma for IT Practitioners at the City of Wolverhampton College.
We would like to wish him all the best in his career.
1 July 2008
Prayer Timetable for July 2008 Download the Timetable for July by clicking here.
18 June 2008
Real West Brom Youth Team Runners Up in CHN Champions Tournament
"Well done to the Real West Brom Youth team who came runners up in the Community Health Network Community Champions Tournament. They competed against six teams to get to the finals against Smethwick Bangladeshi Youth Forum where they lost by only 1-0. Inshallah next year lads!"
10 June 2008
YCA Member wins Walsall & District Table Tennis Division 4 League/Tournament
Ali Al Ka bee who is a member of the YCA won the 2008 Walsall League Division 4 Tournament as well as the winning top individual result in Division 4 for this year.
Ali played 60 matches and won 58.
This achieved him a 97% win percentage which was the highest in the Walsall League for 2008.
Ali who plays for Wood Green Table Tennis Club will be moving up a division(s) but it has not been decided which division as yet (3, 2, or 1).
Ali also plays in the Birmingham League, Dudley League and a special invitation only BLT League (Chinese/Korean).
6 June 2008
New Mini Gym Launched The Yemeni Community Association has launched its very own mini gym with help from the Active Lifestyles Fund.
The gym, which opened this Spring, includes treadmills, bicycles, steppers and weights, and aims to make healthier lifestyles more accessible to its members.
It was funded through a £5,000 grant from a charitable trust who want to remain anonymous. Extra pieces of equipment such as hand weights have also been purchased thanks to the Active Lifestyles Fund, which provided a £1,000 grant in its first year to boost activities for men and then £500 in its second year for activities for women.
YCA Health Development Officer, Afrah Muflihi, who is part of Sandwell Primary Care Trust’s community health network, says: “It’s more of a culturally sensitive gym which the community can access.
“The equipment is the same but this gym, because it helps to overcome language and cultural barriers, enables older people and women in particular to use it. It’s sensitive to their language needs and we’ve got women only and men only slots. It’s proving popular.”
She says none of the older members would have accessed a mainstream gym because of the language barriers. The charges are minimal for YCA members and about 50 use it on a regular basis.
For further details, call the YCA on 0121 525 3909.
1 June 2008
Prayer Timetable for June 2008 Download the Timetable for June by clicking here.
23 May 2008
Ideal for All reaching out to the Yemeni community in Sandwell
I am Saeed Nasser and I have recently been appointed on a sessional basis for three months at Ideal For All as an Outreach Worker for the Yemeni Community.
My role is to promote engagement between Ideal for All and the local Yemeni community. This engagement would hopefully result in a greater awareness of the services provided by Ideal for All as well as other agencies working in the field of disability and social care. My role is to build relationship with individuals and families who may benefit from a range of services on offer by Sandwell Council, Sandwell Health Authority and the voluntary and community sector. This will be done by encouraging the community to become members of Ideal for All. The membership is free and gives you access to information and support for people with disabilities and their families. My work with the community would focus on developing a collective voice to ensure services meet the needs of the Yemeni community.
I will be organising some awareness sessions to be held in the Yemeni Community Centre during June/July. Please make every effort to participate and find out what Ideal for All can do for you. For further information about these sessions or any other enquiry, you can contact me at the Yemeni Community Centre on 0121 525 3909 or email me at outreach@idealforall.co.uk
UK Youth Parliament Record numbers of young people voted in a week-long election to chose new members of the Sandwell Shadow Youth Cabinet and the United Kingdom Youth Parliament.
A total of 2,885 11 to 21-year-olds turned out to cast their vote in the elections earlier this month. The two young people voted onto the United Kingdom Youth Parliament were Usman Hussain and Saleh Saeed.
The Yemeni Community Association would like to congratulate Saleh Saeed who was elected onto the Youth Parliament. Saleh has been an active member of the youth in the Yemeni Community.
Saleh is very poplar with the youth in the borough and he is on numerous youth boards. We wish him all the best.
8 May 2008
Laser Warning (A Message from Taz) My name is Mohamed Islam and I am from the Bangladeshi Community. Many of the Yemeni youth know me by the name Taz. A few months ago I was stopped and arrested by Police for pointing a laser at a helicopter. I didn’t think it would reach that far or what distress the pilot went through. I can only apologies for this. I feel it was a youthful prank that went wrong. I didn’t think this would get me in deep trouble and a possible criminal or prison sentence. This is why I urge ALL Youth to get rid of their lasers as they are dangerous and could get you into trouble. I made a regrettable mistake; please don’t make the same mistake too.
30 April 2008
Prayer Timetable for May 2008 Download the Timetable for May by clicking here.
18 April 2008
2 Youth Development Officer Posts at the YCA
2 Youth Development Officer Posts £18,000 – £20,000 (pro rata) 18.5 & 25 hours per week 3 year fixed term contract
The ideal candidates must have 12 months experience of working with young people, particularly from BME groups and have the necessary qualifications to at least a NVQ Level 3. The candidates must be willing to work evening and weekends.
The post holders will be responsible for the following:
Arranging youth activities
Give advice & support to meet their educational, social/cultural and recreational needs.
Working in partnership with schools, colleges and other service providers.
For further details and an application pack please contact ‘Asad’ or ‘Karen’ at Smethwick Joblink on 0121 558 4142.
Closing date for completed applications forms is the 15th May 2008.
Interviews to be held on the 28th May 2008
One post is funded by the Big Lottery FundOne post is funded by the Children in Need
7 April 2008
The Loving Cup of England Arrives at Greets Green
On Friday 14th March, the Greets Green Partnership arranged for The Loving Cup of England to be presented to members of the community in order to celebrate the cultural diversity of the area.
The history of the cup dates back to the Middle Ages when it would be filled with spiced wine and passed clockwise around the table at banquets to symbolise trust and friendship.
On Friday the cup was filled with apple juice to allow people from all walks of life to drink from it in an act of common celebration of peace and harmony within their community.
From Left to Right: Bruno Peek, Ragih, Saeed & Councillor Singh Sidhu
1 April 2008
Prayer Timetable for April 2008 Download the Timetable for April by clicking here.
12 March 2008
YCA Annual Membership 2008-2009 The management committee of the YCA feel that the introduction of a membership fee is a positive move for the organisation and for the community and have decided to continue with this. Therefore, a membership fee of £5.00 is payable for the current year to run from 1st of April 2008 to the end of March 2009.
Ultimately the management committee are accountable to the membership and details of the scheme will be discussed at the next AGM. We appreciate that some members may not like the introduction of membership fees and request that such members need to make their voices heard by attending the next Annual General Meeting.
We hope that this move is in the best interest of members and will assist the YCA in improving the overall services it offers to the local community.
To become a member, please fill in the membership form and return it with the appropriate fee to the YCA office. To obtain the Membership Form you can either collect it from the YCA office or you can download it by clicking here.
29 February 2008
Prayer Timetable for March 2008 The YCA will be a producing a monthly prayer timetable which can be obtained from the YCA's reception or alternatively you can download it by clicking here.
[Please note that you require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view - if you do not have this software installed on your computer, please click here to get a free download]
10 February 2008
Health Update
- FREE Weekly weigh-ins and expert advice on loosing weight Tuesdays (9:30am – 10:30am) at Lodge Road Community Centre, Lodge Road, West Bromwich
- FREE Ladies Only Swimming Sessions 1st March – 10th May 2008 (5pm – 6pm) at Haden Hill Leisure Centre, Barrs Road, Cradley Heath
- Heart Start Learn how to maintain an airway, resuscitate, deal with choking and sever bleeding. Taking place at the Greets Green Access Centre (YCA). For further information on dates and times contact 'Afrah' the Health Development Officer on 0121 525 3909.
- Youth Circuit Training Thursday's (6pm – 7pm) at the Greets Green Access Centre (YCA).
- Gymnasium
OPENING SOON. Cardiovascular equipment and Weights. Fee applies. Further details to follow
20 January 2008
YCA on BBC Radio 4 - Centre of Our World
Prof Carl Chinn visits a cross-section of community centres reflecting the city of Birmingham's ethnic diversity. He hears stories of why people have emigrated to Birmingham and what they make of England's second city. He visits the West Midlands Yemeni Community Association.
Click the PLAY button below to listen to the show:
17 December 2007
The Yemeni Community in the UK on British Satellite News In the last of the BSN features on multi-ethnic Britain, we take a look at the Yemeni community and a special community centre in the West Midlands embracing young and old. Click the PLAY button below to watch to the show:
25 October 2007
New Education and VIP Sections Added Two sections have been added to our website. You can visit the following links below:
Carl Chinn visits the YCA
The Yemeni Community Association in Sandwell welcomed Carl Chinn the famous BBC broadcaster & Community Historian/Author to its premises at the Greets Green Access Centre on Tuesday 15th October 2007.
This was a fact finding visit by Mr Chinn to enable him to capture the history of the Yemeni community within the West Midlands. During his visit he interviewed various members of the Yemeni community about their life & experiences both past and present as well as exploring how a centre like the YCA impacts on their every day life.
From Left to Right: Saeed, Ragih, Carl Chinn, Afrah & Saleh Saeed
14 September 2007
Real West Brom Adult Charter Standard Success
From Left to Right: Abdul Kahar and Abdar Obeed
Real West Brom have become the first Adult Charter Standard Club in the Greets Green area of West Bromwich. The club who play in the Birmingham Premier of the Shapla League have had a successful few year on the pitch with winning a promotion and golden boots awards in 2006.
The team are based from Sandwell Yemeni Association and provide the adult football for the Yemeni and Bangladeshi community of Greets Green and West Bromwich. Manager Abdul Kahar has been engaged in the UEFA Hat trick project in Greets Green from its start in 2005 and has seen the benefit of using football to promote community cohesion and health related activities. Abdul has gained his Level 1 and awaiting his final assessment for his FA level2 coaching qualification.
Abdul stated that “by being involved in the Uefa Hat trick project Real West Brom FC have been able to access training and coaching qualifications in order for us to be able to apply and gain our Charter Standard. The scheme has benefited us well also in terms of new players and young players participating in all aspects of football”
To add to the team one of their players in Abdar Obeed who has gained a Full time job a Lodge Primary School with assistance of The hat trick project and benefits the children by delivering Sport and Football to all the age groups of the school. Adult football has a big participation rate in Greets Green and it is hoped other teams benefit from seeing the example of how health & fitness, qualifications and coaching has benefited Real West Brom and their players. This has added towards sustainability of Football as a whole in Greets Green.
More information on the UEFA Hat Trick programme contact- Rus Smith 08700 662 840 or email - russel.smith@wbacp.co.uk
More on FA Charter Standard Clubs contact Heidi Lockyer on 0121 357 4278 option 2 or email – heidilockyer@birminghamfa.com
12 September 2007
Ramadhan Kareem
The Yemeni Community Association in Sandwell would like to say Ramadhan Kareem to everyone fasting in this blessed month.
Ramadhan Timetable 2007 To download the Ramadhan Timetable 2007 pleaseclick here
28 May 2007
YCA Members invited to our 10th Anniversary Celebrations Dear Members,
The Yemeni Community Association in Sandwell will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary on Friday 13th July 2007.
As a way of celebrating this landmark anniversary the YCA will be holding a celebratory event at West Bromwich Town Hall, High Street, West Bromwich from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
The day will host a programme of multicultural talent within the borough including Yemeni traditional dance & music, Irish dancing and Bhangra music as well as holding an award ceremony for those who have made a significant contribution to the development of the YCA.
YCA Annual Membership 2006-2007
As you know an annual membership fee of £5.00 was introduced two years ago to become a member of the Yemeni Community Association in Sandwell. This decision for a membership fee was made after a request by members at the AGM held in 2004 and after consultation with the community. The management committee of the YCA feel that the introduction of a membership fee is a positive move for the organisation and for the community and have decided to continue with this. Therefore, a membership fee of £5.00 is payable for the current year to run from 1st of April 2007 to the end of March 2008. Ultimately the management committee are accountable to the membership and details of the scheme will be discussed at the next AGM. We appreciate that some members may not like the introduction of membership fees and request that such members need to make their voices heard by attending the next Annual General Meeting. We hope that this move is in the best interest of members and will assist the YCA in improving the overall services it offers to the local community.
To become a member, please fill in the membership form and return it with the appropriate fee to the YCA office no later than the 18th May 2007. To obtain the Membership Form you can either collect it from the YCA office or you can download it by clicking here.
14 March 2007
Afrah Visits 10 Downing Street
Afrah Saleh Muflihi (Health Development Officer) was invited to attend a special breakfast meeting on the 8th March 2007. The meeting was to mark International Women's Day and was attended by 40 specially nominated women from across the UK who have made important contributions to their communities.
Afrah was also one of 5 women chosen on the day to meet the Prime Minister Tony Blair personally which included a one to one photograph opportunity. The event was hosted by Minister for Women, Ruth Kelly, also in attendance were Patricia Hewitt, Hazel Blears, Jacqui Smith, Tessa Jowell and Baroness Amos.
Above:Afrah Muflihi meets PM Tony Blair
For further information please visit the Yemeni Observer by clicking here or by visiting the Communities and Local Government website by clicking here
10 January 2007
New Sandwell YCA Health Website Launched
The Sandwell YCA Health website has been launched dedicated to the improvement and education of health issues within the Yemeni community in the Sandwell area of the West Midlands. Please feel free to explore the various services and health-related interactive content available on the health website by clicking here.
8 December 2006
Youth Worker & Yemeni Youth Forum Members attend Drug Awareness Training
On Friday 7th December 2006 Touria Oumerjal (Female youth worker), Adam Muflihi and Wasiem Al-Muflahi (Members of Yemeni Youth Forum) attended a ‘Basic Drug Awareness’ training organised by Sandwell DAAT.
The training enabled Touria, Adam and Wasiem to:
• Identify factual information on drugs from myths, stereotypes and assumptions
• Identify broad categories of substances
• Identify potential risks and harms associated with specific substances
• Recognise illicit substances
• Classify specific drugs in terms of legal status
• Identify local and national support services
It is anticipated that all three will deliver what they have gained from this training to other youths through peer education.
From Left to Right: Wasiem Al-Muflahi, Touria Oumerjal & Adam Muflihi
29 November 2006
Health Newsletter - Issue1
The Yemeni Health newsletter will be produced on a monthly basis. Read Issue 1 (To download click here)
23 November 2006
The YCA visits the Yemeni President 'Ali Abdullah Saleh' at the Yemeni Embassy in London
The Yemeni Community Association had the privilege to be invited to the Yemen Embassy in London to welcome the Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh during his visit with the British Government.
Ragih Muflihi the Centre Manager for the Yemeni Community and Ali Al Osaimi from Sandwell PCT attended.
The Yemeni Community handed The President an information pack of all the activities and services they provide to the community.
From Left to Right: Ragih Muflihi, Ali Al-Osaimi & Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh
20 Novemeber 2006
Nagib Mana passes Driving Test
The YCA would like to congratulate Nagib Mana on passing his driving test. We wish him the very best in his future.
If you have any achievements or success stories that you would like to share with us, please email your story and picture (if any) to adel@yca-sandwell.org.uk or contact Adel on 0121 525 3909
Nagib Mana
16 November 2006
YCA Recieves Award at Sandwell Partnership Annual Stakeholder Conference 2006
On Friday 10th November 2006, at the Hawthorns West Bromwich, the Yemeni Community Association was awarded a prestigious recognition from Sandwell Partnership for Excellence and Achievement.
Ragih Muflihi (Centre Manager) and the Management Committee of the YCA wishes to take this opportunity to "thank all partner organisations for the support given to the YCA over the years enabling it to achieve this recognition"
From Left to Right: Ahmed Salem, Ragih Muflihi & Sylvia Heal MP
2 November 2006
Upcoming FREE Courses in January to March 2007
The Yemeni Community Association will be running the following courses in Janauary 2007:
• Mendhi
• Beauty
• Textiles
If anyone is interested in signing up to these courses please contact Samina or Saba on 0121 525 3909. There will be some taster sessions availabe on Thursday 23rd November from 2:00pm-5:00pm for mendhi and Thursday 30th November from 2:00pm-5:00pm for Beauty at the YCA. Open to all ladies. (To download poster click here)
Islam Awareness Course
The YCA will be hosting an Islam Awareness Course in Sandwell. It is hoped this course will help Business, Voluntary and Statuary sector workers have a better understanding of Islam and how it can be incorporated into your daily work environment. The courses on offer will help the majority of the workforce feel more effective in their work if their understanding was improved. These Courses are also aimed to dispel myths, fears and prejudices by creating opportunities for communities to engage in rich dialogue, share, acknowledge common values and celebrate diversity. The courses can be tailor made to the need of your organisation and all of the following sectors are welcomed to come on this course:
• Schools
• Media
• Law Enforcement
• Prison Services
• Corporations
• Health Services
• Social Service Agencies
• Faith-Base Organisations
• Community Organisations
• Local Authority Services
• Non Governmental Organisations
It would be a wonderful world if we all have a better understanding of each others religion, culture and common factors. This course could be the start, so be the first in your
organisation to take the lead. For more information you can contact Samina on 0121 525 3909 or you can download the Islam Awareness Course Information Pack. (To download click here)
11 April 2006
New Education Officer at the YCA (Statement)
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Assalaam Alaykum,
My name is Samina Saudagar and I am the new Education Officer at the Yemeni Community Association. I commenced my employment on 10th April 2006. Formerly I worked for the Smethwick Pakistani Muslim Association as a Training Coordinator. I have a vast amount of experience of engaging the local communities in to education and employment initiatives.
The core aim of my role is to develop and maintain a strong educational support system for Yemeni and other BME families with in the Sandwell area to access. The educational support frame will cater for the needs of all the community members. I am currently carrying out some ‘needs analysis’ questionnaires, which should hopefully present me with enough information to develop courses tailored to suit the needs and the requirements identified by the individuals themselves.
My overall objective for the Yemeni Community Association in Sandwell is to establish the YCAS as an Education and Training Centre which is easily accessed by individuals within the community and services of which are client led and influenced.
Hopefully together with your help and support we can successfully represent the Yemeni community as working together to reduce barriers into learning and improving the quality of life. If you require any further information regarding the contents of this letter please do not hesitate to contact me on 0121 525 3909.
Thank you,
Look forward to seeing you.
Yours truly,
Samina Saudagar
Education Officer
6 February 2006
Yemeni Youth Newsletter
The Yemeni Youth newsletter will be produced on a monthly basis so follow the youth progress.
Read Issue 1 (To download click here)
29 January 2006
YCA Centre Manager
The YCA has managed to persuade 'Ragih Muflihi' one of the former founders and chairman of the organisation to take the post of Centre Manager. With his 20 years of management skills it is anticipated to move the Yemeni Community to the next level of its continuous development. The Management Committee wish him all the best in his new role.
20th December 2005
Newsletter 3
Read newsletter (Issue 3 - November - December 2005). English or Arabic.
[Please note some of these forms require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view - if you do not have this software installed on your computer, please click on the icon to the left to get a free download]
the winning top individual result in Division 4 for this year. 
The Yemeni Community Association has launched its very own mini gym with help from the Active Lifestyles Fund.
I am Saeed Nasser and I have recently been appointed on a sessional basis for three months at Ideal For All as an Outreach Worker for the Yemeni Community.
Record numbers of young people voted in a week-long election to chose new members of the Sandwell Shadow Youth Cabinet and the United Kingdom Youth Parliament.
My name is Mohamed Islam and I am from the Bangladeshi Community. Many of the Yemeni youth know me by the name Taz. A few months ago I was stopped and arrested by Police for pointing a laser at a helicopter.
I didn’t think it would reach that far or what distress the pilot went through. I can only apologies for this. I feel it was a youthful prank that went wrong. I didn’t think this would get me in deep trouble and a possible criminal or prison sentence. This is why I urge ALL Youth to get rid of their lasers as they are dangerous and could get you into trouble. I made a regrettable mistake; please don’t make the same mistake too. 
Dear Members, 
