Parvaaz Project
a cluster of inter-linked projects under the umbrella of PARVAAZ. Offers a unique and holistic approach, connecting and integrating different services targeting support to people with disabilities and vulnerable sections of the BME communities in Slough, Berkshire.
Young People with Disabilities Project
This project offers a variety of social, arts, sports and cultural activities and events to improve social and independent living skills, self confidence and self image of young adults with learning disabilities and provide extra respite care to their families and carers. Two of its core activities include its Friday Friends Club and Girls Only Group.
Promoting Participation in Sports
This programme funded by BBC Children in Need for 3 years continues to promote active participation in sports and recreational activities to combat isolation and encourage social inclusion for BME children from deprived neighbourhood to make friends and to improve their general well-being.
BME children and young people with Disabilities: Life Skills Project
This Project launched in April 2007 promotes life skills development amongst BME children & young people with disabilities. Its activity includes Peer Support Groups, Life Skills Courses & Arts and Crafts sessions.
Aiming High Programme
This provides short breaks for disabled children & young people aged 8-25, personal and social development whilst giving carers and families a valuable break from their daily caring responsibilities.
Sahailia- Girls Only Group
Sahailia offers weekly structured activity on thursday for girls with disabilities including exercise, dance, empowerment sessions and other activities within a safe and culturally sensitive environment.
It currently supports 15-18 girls along with their siblings.
All Stars Sports Club
A regular club operating every Saturday morning; activities include football, basketball, badminton, criket, tennis, and wheelchair football.
Peer Support Group
The Group meets every week to enable users to meet other people, make friends, do something different from school and home, gain information, learn new skills to increase disabled young person's active participation in community life and to prepare those leaving school for independent living later on in life.
Independent Living
A weekly programme is organised focusing on ' being able to do things yourself, having choice and control in how you live your life' and helps to deal with issues such as money, shopping and transport.
Arts and Crafts
This programme encourages girls with learning disabilities to participate activity such as henna painting, flower arranging and make collages of themes such as under water life, outer space & cultural celebrations such as EID, Diwali & Christmas.
Children with challenging behaviour & learning disabilities are often very creative; emotions such as anger, jealousy, hurt, forgiveness & love are explained through the use of art & simple images with powerful messages thus giving the children greater self confidence & self awareness. Major Achievements
Respite Care
Parvaaz now has the lead in Slough, to provide respite service to families & carers of disabled children children and young adults throughout all school holidays. A range of activities will be provided 6 times a week ( Monday- Saturday ) to ensure that maximum amount of respite is offered to families looking after disabled children.
Cultural Events
Parvaaz held a Christmas, Diwali & Eid party to bring families together, promote community festivities & cultural celebrations. 250 people attended this event.
Volunteers
Recruiting, training and retaining volunteers continues to remain our main strength & success. Over the last 7 volunteers including 2 active young people with disabilities were recruited & trained. Volunteers make a major contributions to our services and have acted as sports coaches, youth support workers, admin assistants, minibus drivers etc. & help brighten the lives of youngsters with disabilities.
Parvaaz: Working in Partnership with Strategic Bodies.
Parvaaz workes closely with the following:
* The Carers Board
* The Learning Disability Board
* Disabled Children's Board
* Diversity & the Learning Disability Board of South East England
* Slough Council for Voluntary Sector
Overall, Parvaaz has some 200 families on its database and supports on average 70 young adults a week with disabilities, their parent and carers.
CONTACT: Neeru Palhi on 01753 529 628 / 01753 824 374
EMAIL: Parvaazinfo@taha.org.uk