Bangladeshi Youth Forum

The first of our 'Give me your hand' posters from last night - photograph taken by Shale.
Last night we went along to the Bangladeshi Youth Forum. We were really pleased to go along as Shale (Youth worker and member of Aspire and Succeed) had organised a bit of a do - with dj workshops and delicious food laid on, and some members of a youth group from Aston visiting. Originally we had mentioned we might do some origami with the lads, but then changed our minds as we weren't sure how popular that might be. We decided to focus on sign-language and getting the members of the club taking portraits of each other.

MULAID

When we arrived Shale said they were looking forward to the origami, and luckily I had brought along some packs of origami paper just in case, so we decided to go for it and do it all! The evening lasted for two hours, but felt more like 10 minutes; we were having such a sick time. (word taught to us by the lads last night - sick meaning good.)
The set-up worked really well with me working with the lads to take portraits of each other; here are a selection of the portraits that they took:Then while they were waiting to have their photos printed off, they would do some origami with Katie. It was really great to have a chance to talk to the lads about the area, and how they feel about it. Everyone we talk to tells us that there is good and bad in all places, which is of course true. We had a fantastic evening and have arranged to spend a day with the BYF when they are away on a residential week over the Easter Holidays. We will do some more photographic work with them, and have more time to chat; the fact that it is to be a residential trip out of the area could be a good chance to get some distance. We are really looking forward to working with the BYF again, as they were all really lovely, polite and welcoming young men.