As 2023 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the past year and all that we’ve accomplished. It’s been a year of challenges and triumphs, but we’ve come out stronger on the other side.
Here are a few of the things the Isaro Community Initiative achieved in 2023.
International Womens Day
This year for International Women’s Day we had a great time celebrating the theme of DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for gender equality. This theme highlights the importance of digital literacy and access to technology for women and girls around the world right at our base at Centre 81.
Our guest speakers included:
Marie McNair MSP
Hazel Sorrell
West Dunbartonshire Council
Shulamite Anyiso
Naim Sohail from the West Dunbartonshire Women’s Group
Asma Abdalla from Empower Women for Change
And a special thank you to @Cafe81 and @Centre81 and The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland National Lottery
Centre 81 Sewing Sessions
This year we were absolutely overjoyed to continue our long-standing sewing sessions where the group has been able to design and create items like tote bags, yoga mat carriers, aprons, and other goods made out of upcycled fabric and textiles such as old jeans and curtains. Join us this upcoming year. Send an email to info@isaronetwork.org.uk or call 01412372620.
Home Energy Saving Workshop
This year in order to tackle energy efficiency among our community members we delivered waste management and energy efficiency training sessions with the Anyiso Group. The workshops were developed to provide advice on saving money on energy bills. Following Isaro’s commitment to community-led initiatives to help fight climate change, the sessions were able to help identify energy-efficiency opportunities in service users’ homes and simple tips and tricks for reducing energy consumption.
The sessions were translated into Arabic, Farsi and Kurdish.
We’ve had home energy-saving workshops at Clyde House, and a big thank you to the International Women Group in Sighthill. This could not be possible without our partners Anyiso, Mears, and The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland
Celebrating the Circle of Inspiration Award
We couldn’t be prouder of the recognition of our Project Manager Rose who was awarded as the winner of the community category by the Business Women Connection Group who recognises the voices for women in business.
Special mention to the organisations that have supported her work including Centre81, West Dunbartonshire Council, The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland, The Robertson Trust, and WDCVS.
The Annual Isaro Summer Youth Programme
The sun was shining the warmth was in the air and this year’s return of our summer youth programme was packed with activities, workshops and a trip! The three-week-long programme also included arts and crafts, puzzles, movie time, a visit to the Woodlands and Dynamic Earth as well as onion planting with Donald from Centre81, a netball session and football coaching with UEFA Licensed Coach Peter Dennisoun from the Goalkeeping Academy run by @Peterskeepers.
The Trip to Dynamic Earth was a great day of fun and learning for the group, they took part in a Science Festival Showcase in Edinburgh’s world-class Science Centre and Planetarium, telling the story of planet Earth from beginning to end. In the 90-minute interactive walk-through. Thank you for your support The National Lottery Community Fund Dynamic Earth West Dunbartonshire Council Centre81🌍
Credit to all those involved and supported us especially the National Lottery Community Fund Scotland and to our funders The Robertson Trust, West Dunbartonshire Council, WDCVSGlasgow CVS, and Youth Scotland.
This wouldn’t have been possible without our youth volunteers for helping put this together as well as the attendance of @Marie McNair – MSP visiting today and having a chat with some of our youth volunteers.
And most importantly credit to @centre81 @Asda foundation @Scotland the national lottery community fund @West Dunbartonshire council @Peter’s Keepers @Cafe81
Sewing Sessions
Our sewing sessions came by once again helping encourage re-use of textiles. In line with the aim of promoting more work to bring climate resilience to our community as well as providing a space where community members could both socialise and interact with one another during our weekly sewing sessions. To address climate change with a call to action on how to promote behavioural change these sessions led the way to use unused clothes and give them a new breath of life.
English Classes
Online English classes are some of the most fundamental spaces we have been able to host in order to support those whose first language is not English.
Black History Month 2023
As part of #Black History Month we have been dedicating space to highlight some of the amazing work, and cultural contribution that black voices have been contributing to our community. We had the joy to celebrate at the Golden Friendships Club and than them for the hospitality, and special thanks to our guest speakers Marie McNair MSP, Shulamite Ezechie @Anyiso and to the wonderful performers !!!, Thank you to our funders The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland.
We were also glad to celebrate the achievements of Women in the charity sector contributing to Black voices to advocate for change and social justice the integration Community. The Circle of Inspiration Award, who co-founded the #NationalLottery funded and awarded Isaro Community Initiative’s Rose Sehakizinka. An incredible recognition
Garnethill Homework Club
Massive thanks to our wonderful volunteers who have continued to support the Isaro Homework Club. Thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund Scotland for funding and the Garnethill Multicultural Centre for hosting us.
