- Main office: 0208 064 0161 Old office number: 0207 832 5844 (Operational until Dec 2020)
- 200a Pentonville Road London N1 9JP
- info@councilofsomaliorgs.com
CSO is once again expanding its capacity building effort for the benefit of CSO Members and the UK Somali Community. This is in response to new funding from Trust for London under Wave 3 of LCRF and also the National Lottery.
Visit our Vacancies page to see how to apply
It has come to our attention thanks to a member of the Somali Community, a teacher in West London, that social media posts have been circulated in response to the letter dated 12th August 2020 written by and on behalf of the Children’s Commissioner, Anne Longfield.
We have investigated the issue having listened to the concerns of the Somali community and the actual WhatsApp message in relation to the scare mongering about “detention of children” for 14 days.
We have contacted the Children’s Commissioner’s Office and they have directed us to this link.
In summary the Children’s Commissioner’s initial letter was taken out of context. They say “Now, in light of the social media posts that appeared in August 2020 we have sought further clarification on the nature of the question posed in many of those posts. We have had confirmation from the DfE and DHSC that a parent, carer or legal guardian has to be present for a screening to take place under these powers.”
The Government's own guidance to Public Health Officers can be found on the this link.
CSO would like to advise the members of the Somali Community it is very important that we do not share stories which create hysteria, confusion and panic. The Government has public health duties and the Corona Virus Act 2020 is a very complex and detailed legislation, which should be not taken out of context.
Please think carefully about circulating such stories and its impact on our community. If in doubt please contact CSO and we will find the proper channels to get clarification for the Somali Community.
Contact CSO’s Director, Kahiye Alim on
We are looking for an Executive Assistant to the Director, a Digital and Information Development Officer, a Somali Speaking Mosques Outreach Officer, a Training Coordinator, and a Membership Coordinator.
Download PDF with this information: CSO Resilience Program 2020 PDF
Dear Members and the Somali Community,
I am pleased to share with you that as result of the work and ideas generated from CSOs Working Groups over the last few months we got a national grant from the National Lottery Community Fund for delivery of multifacet resilience capacity building program for Somali led CVO's composed of the following:
These programs will commence from 1st September 2020 until end of February 2021. This funding will deal with issues arising from Covid-19 and building resilience in our member organisations to deal with issues such as the predicted recession related issues such as access to benefits, debt advice and mental health awareness. It is all for the benefit of the Somali Community in the UK.
CSO is recruiting for 4 new posts in support of this work please visit our website this week for details.
We will be offering a free package of support for all our members, on a first come a first served basis, to assist with accessing funds by supporting and mentoring funding applications through a pool of bid writers.
The funding will cover 135 days of support in bid writing and dealing with budgeting/cash flows to document the impact of Covid-19 on organisations. We will be hiring a pool of bid writers in relation to the first aspect and also making available the services of an accounting firm to assist with the second aspect.
Each organisation must make individual requests on the Pro forma Work Plan and also the Pro Forma Financial Form which can be downloaded from our website following the links.
Every organisation has initial allocation of 3 days of support (2 days bid writing and one day financial information support). There will be a Cab-Rank rule in place. We will also place a limitation on the allocation on a geographical basis of 50% to London based organisations and 50% to those in the regions.
The Funding for Bid Writers page with its two downloadable files can be found at:
https://www.councilofsomaliorgs.com/content/funding-bid-writers
We will also continue to update members on new funding opportunities. The Fundraising page can be found on:
https://www.councilofsomaliorgs.com/content/fundraising
We will be offering the following by Zoom online:
Each course is split into four parts or modules which together make up the equivalent of a one day course. The delivery will be over 8 consequent days of ½ days. Each 1/2 course will consist of two modules of 2.5 hours each.
This training will permit organisations to have the qualified staff and volunteers in order to become formally an advice centre on benefits.
The training will involve pre-course reading, a live online 2 hour Zoom session with the tutor, homework such as case studies and exercises then a final 2 hour live online session about 5 working days after the first live online session.
All organisations offering money and debt advice have to individually apply to the FCA for a licence to practice once the staff have completed the accredited training. They can thereafter access specialist debt advice training through the Money Advice Trust.
This course will allow participants to recognise the symptoms of mental health issues and provide initial help, signposting and guide a person towards appropriate professional help. This course is for ½ day over 2.5 hours.
Who can participate in the Training?
Organisations- We are offering this training to CSO Member organisations in the UK. There are 30 organisation places on offer. We will also place a limitation on the allocation on a geographical basis of 50% to London based organisations and 50% to those in the regions. We will offer on a first come first served basis.
Individuals- We are offering 300 training places for employees of CSO Member organisations and their volunteers. This offer is also open to Somali graduates who are unemployed and looking for job opportunities in the advice sector. If it is possible we will link volunteers for work experience within our CSO Member organisations if organisations indicate willingness to offer places.
The training will be offered in 15 cohorts of 20 participants and will run from mid September 2020 to end of February 2021. We will notify participants close to the date of the scheduling of each cohort and you will be expected to continue with the training within the allocated cohort time table. We will try to accommodate choices where we can but the dates will be fixed well ahead of time in order to permit a wide selection of options.
It is mandatory that each person who signs up for the training programme to complete all the training for the certificates to be issued.
CSO is offering a participants incentive of £150 for each participant who completes all the training. Each participant must also complete any course work required as part of the training. Payment will only be made once the training provider certifies that the participant has completed all training and confirmation is received of completed training from all the providers. Pro rata payment will be made for part participation only if 90% completion rate is achieved.
CSO will be offering each organisation that signs up for the training with a minimum of 5 staff and/or volunteers 2 tablets with headsets valued at £550. Organisations will keep these equipment for future training opportunities and use them for their work also. This offer is not open to individual participants.
Registration Process:
Organisations and volunteers would need to register their details.
For individuals we would ask your consent to keep your details beyond the training in order for CSO to continue to inform you of further opportunities. Please follow the Link for Individual registration. We would require your name, address and telephone (mobile) and email address.
You can find the training page:
https://www.councilofsomaliorgs.com/training
And its two forms:
https://www.councilofsomaliorgs.com/content/organisation-training-form
https://www.councilofsomaliorgs.com/content/individual-training-form
We will also be commissioning the first ever UK Somali Community Hub website, which CSO’s members can access for free, subject to moderation, in order to;
The content to be copyright free for use of the Somali Community and be in accordance with the law of the land. Moderation will be at the sole discretion of CSO.
CSO is also funded by the National Lottery Community Fund to do a Needs Assessment.
CSO and many Somali community leaders are concerned that the Somali led mosques are not able to access guidance and support during this period. We wish to reach out to these mosques and understand their needs in this critical period.
We would like members of the Somali community and CSO Members to inform us of the details and contacts of the Mosques which are Somali-led.
The Mosques registration online form can be found at:
https://www.councilofsomaliorgs.com/content/somali-led-mosques
Dear Members,
CSO is continuing to support our members through this difficult time. If there is anything we can do to help or support you at this time please contact us by using the kahiye@councilofsomaliorgs.com email and will come back to you asap. All of our staff are set up for home working, using video conferencing etc.
CSO Covid-19 Parliamentary Inquiries and Government Consultations
COVID-19 in the Somali community urgent briefing for policy-makers in the U.K - PDF
I hope you are all well and keeping safe!
Council of Somali Organisation has joined the Refugee council to conduct a consultation with MRCOs who may be potential members of the social network map to find out how, the social network map could be designed to meet the needs of its members and to bring about positive change for the benefit of their community members or service users.
We have compiled this simple questionnaire because by completing it you will help us to understand your organisation’s motivations and capacity to connect with others and your answers will help us design the map format and its supporting communication tools as well as determining its overall functionality. We would also like to know the impact of COVID 19 pandemic so that we know how to support your organisation.
If you require any help with filling in this form, please contact Muna Asmail on Mobile: 07432435339, with any questions or assistance.
Download
“Surely we belong to Allah and to Him shall we return.”- Surat Baqarah
CSO wishes heartiest condolences to the members of the Somali Community who have suffered tragically under Corona virus.
CSO is continuing to support our members through this difficult time. If there is anything we can do to help or support you at this time please contact us by using the kahiye@councilofsomaliorgs.com email and will come back to you asap. All of our staff are set up for home working, using video conferencing etc.
We hope you are all well and keeping safe during this unprecedented global challenge. It is a huge test that calls for new levels of co-operation and resilience in all sectors and we recognise the significant challenges you will be facing. We look forward to working with you.
Doctors of the World are really pleased to be able to share with you the Coronavirus (Covid 19) advice for patients in 21 languages, which were produced in partnership with the British Red Cross, Migrant Help and Clear Voice: English, Albanian, Dari, French, Pashto, Portuguese, Bengali, Vietnamese, Kurdish Sorani is available at the moment, but more languages coming soon: Mandarin, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, Malayalam, Turkish, , Farsi, Amharic, Tigrinya, Somali
Please find them here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=193qQN9l04Dvf0N9L5zeWTiXK_DRbrAxg
The guidance is based on the government’s updated advice and health information. We really hope it will help to ensure this important guidance reaches migrant and asylum-seeking communities in the UK.
We would be happy if you could please share these with your patients, service users and your networks widely so that we reach all communities who would like this crucial information in their own language.
If you know someone who would find emails on this subject useful, then please do forward this to them. They can subscribe by sending an email to this link (Subscribe) with the word ‘subscribe’ in the subject line.
We will replace these documents with the new ones once the NHS advice is updated, and will send you notifications. If you do not want to receive emails on this, please click (unsubscribe) and send a blank email. Thank you for your understanding and for any help you are able to give in sharing these resources.
And a big thank you to Clear Voice for providing translation services quickly and pro-bono!
CSO is always interested in collaborative work and partnerships. If you would like to discuss potential collaborative work related to our thematic priorities please contact us on info@councilofsomaliorgs.com
Events have been scheduled to focus on responding to the Covid-19 Crisis on the Somali Community. The meetings will focus on Recovery Planning and thinking about the Future.
Changes to Meeting Schedules
From the W/c 29th June 2020 the meetings will change from weekly to once monthly so please make sure that you schedule well ahead of time.
Meeting times will always remain at 11 am and also the Free Workshop on Fund Raising & Budgeting will remain weekly until 27th August 2020 which will be the last day.
Also due to security advice we are also changing the way that people join Zoom. You will need to register via the link first and after registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. You will not be able to to join a meeting without registration in advance.
All information on the registration is below set against the date of registration.
Date: Monday 29th June 2020 at 11 am via Zoom
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwucOysqTMvG9Rj0kCxj0RrAtla9S5xX19k
Followed by: Monday 3rd August at 11 am via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvfuyrrDMsG91m0QpV8Nc2wZMiA5bXOFn0
Date: Tuesday 7th July 2020 11 am via Zoom
To Register for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qcumvrTkoGNBBwAbpyJnjEYZ05YmaZa7V
Followed by: Tuesday 11th August 2020 11 am via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpdemurz4iE9VWilb1wp7CJHRcirylEd2X
Date: Wednesday 15th July 2020 at 11 pm via Zoom
To register for the meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpfuGpqD4oGNz6KfDPGCCRNGmXUnHT7ZBx
Followed by: Wednesday 19th August 2020 11 am via Zoom
To register for the meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkce2trz0rG9xQLG51I0LeNskheAzWwI3k
Date: Thursday 2nd July 2020 at 11 am via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvceitpzIqHdaC0E6BgUH6REvuoj-...
Followed by: Weekly on Every Thursdays at 11 am via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0tf-mrpjkrGtGFDvsL6o5Ri1xqWAYFG00-
Date: 24th July 2020 at 11 am via Zoom
To register for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIod-Crqz4tE9ayJpY_SBPqHkWMG1fhTLwf
Followed by: Thursday 29th August 2020 11 am via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtdOqtrz8rHdVwYi6z0DYfk-zxu-mvrLb6
