PRESENTATIONS
We offer a presentation to schools or community groups in Dundee around tackling misconceptions about the Islamic faith, building understanding and creating a safe space for discussion.
The presentation titled ‘building bridges’ offers a 1hr interactive presentation led by our outreach worker and a team of volunteers. The presentation engages the audience through group discussions, a fun quiz and an open space to be as controversial and challenging as they wish to be!
‘Over 95% of young people felt that they had an improved understanding of Muslims’ – Grove Academy, 2019
CURRY KITCHENS
Since 2013, we have been running a Curry kitchen in partnership with the Salvation Army. On the first Friday of each month, volunteers from Taught by Muhammad will prepare a warm 3 course meal for the local community. This is served at the Salvation Army, Thurso Crescent, Dundee. On most Fridays we will serve around 40 people – many of whom are either homeless or suffering from poverty.
On the second Wednesday of each month we prepare 60 hot cooked meals which are delivered across 3 homeless hostels. This is a city-wide initiative in partnership with Curry-in-a-Hurry takeaway. It’s always a pleasure to see the expression on the recipient’s face when they receive their cooked meal.
The partnerships are a beautiful example of how people from different backgrounds and faiths can come together to bring about common good. From the service, a number of service users now join us in volunteering and helping feed others.
“Initially I thought Muslims didn’t want to mix with the wider society but after meeting the volunteers at Taught by Muhammad I found them to be really nice people and we get a long really well” – Service user, Salvation Army.
FOOD BANK
The foodbank started in January 2014 with a group of volunteers committed to filling in gaps that may exist in the City with emergency food provision. From consulting with a series of agencies, we found a gap in delivered food parcels for those who may not be able to make the journey to the nearest foodbank or, those who may be embarrassed to admit the situation that they are in. We support 80 households each month with emergency food parcels.
Normally a food parcel consists of Long life milk, sugar, tea bags, cereal, pasta, soups, cooking sauce, tinned meats/veg and other snacks. These are intended to support the family for three days as they are in the process of making arrangements with the referral agency.
SCHOOLS PROGRAMME
We support pupils from different high schools into volunteering through our projects. This enables them to gain life skills and accreditation helping them benefit with future employment/education. It gives the pupils and insight into the social problems within our city, enabling them to be part of the change to help others.
BUDGET COOKING CLASS
Through our anti-poverty work we have identified that many who go through periods of poverty and would benefit from education and support around budget cooking. We organise a 5 week course for client groups which educate them on budgeting food items, making healthy and nutritious meals & reducing food waste.
The course is a unique experience to meet new friends, learn new skills and build confidence to move on to long term learning and education. The course also introduces the clients to ethnic cuisines from the Middle East and Asian subcontinent
“Initially I didn’t know why I was there or if I wanted to continue but as the weeks went passed I started to really enjoy the course and was really sad when it came to an end” – Service User, Budget Cooking Course
