My latest column features a young community activist in doing some brilliant work in his home town.
Usman Khan is a 23-year-old who lives in Birmingham. He has been coaching a number of sports, predominantly cricket, in most schools around South Birmingham. He has additionally been working as a Youth Engagement Officer in Hillfields, Coventry. He is currently an active youth worker attempting to tackle inactivity, and offering youngsters of an inner city background greater opportunity to develop themselves.
Usman’s passion to work with young people of an underprivileged background came from being a beneficiary of a project designed at up-skilling youngsters from an inner city area through means of sport. That specific project allowed him to gain his coaching badges in cricket and as a result, paid work whilst studying at college and university.
Being able to earn good money the right way is something that he has seen as a significant challenge in today’s society as quite often our youngsters will be tempted to earn good money through illegal means, simply because of them being unaware of how to fulfil their potential.
Eight years on from his initial engagement with a youth project he has now set up his own community interest company named Street Futures. With the hope that it can engage, up skill and have a positive impact on young people in inner-city Birmingham. In the short space of time Street Futures has been set up they have engaged over 300 people in regular activity, signed up over 20 volunteers who are all between the ages of 14-25, hosted the Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour and much more. They have most importantly supported four volunteers to gain coaching badges in a sport they have chosen, allowing them to add importance experience their CV and increase the prospect of them finding future employment. Furthermore, they are also offering volunteers paid work within the organisation as a goodwill gesture for their voluntary time.
Street Futures, like most Community Interest Companies, requires the support of local people and businesses to grow and create a more significant impact. It would like to hold on record many thanks to a number of sponsors who all contributed to helping them get started. These include FloorFit, Xpress Carpets, Manjaros, Birmingham Cupping Clinic, The Wonder of Learning, Kelly’s Nationwide and last but not least The Sign Company on Dudley Road.
Street Futures have a number of sessions and events that they run, for more information on participating, volunteering or even if you are interested in sponsoring follow them on Instagram or Facebook at ‘Street Futures’ or alternatively email Usman directly at Usmank95@outlook.com
