Kashmir Youth Project celebrates a year of community impact

Members, volunteers, partners, staff and community supporters celebrated a year of significant achievements and the difference Kashmir Youth Project continues to make across Rochdale.

KYP’s annual general and public meetings provided an opportunity to share its progress throughout 2025/26, celebrate the contribution of its staff and volunteers, and engage with members, partners and the wider community about the organisation’s work and priorities for the year ahead.

Across advice and welfare, learning and skills, adult day care and community food pantry, KYP recorded 11,259 engagements and visits across its services during the year.

The group also worked with more than 80 organisations and agencies, delivering more than 200 community events and activities, helping to strengthen partnerships and create opportunities for people across Rochdale.

KYP’s work has generated significant financial and social value for local residents, securing £2 million in financial gains for people across the borough. This impact was delivered through 3,526 client interventions, providing vital advice, guidance and support to those who needed it most.

Its Advice and Welfare Outreach locations have also continued to grow, expanding its reach into Heywood and Middleton and increasing from five outreach centres to 11 across the borough.

This expansion has enabled KYP to support more residents in accessing the advice, services and opportunities they need to improve their lives.

Learning and skills remained a key area of activity, with 8,460 learning hours delivered and 164 people supported into further training and employment.

Through KYP’s Pantry, five tonnes of fresh produce were shared with local residents, helping households save approximately £18,300 compared with shop prices.

The figures only tell part of the story. Behind every engagement, intervention and service are individuals whose lives have been positively impacted by KYP.

KYP recorded 11,259 engagements and visits across its services during the year

Kaneez Fatima accessed KYP’s Job Club, receiving support and guidance to help her move towards employment. Kaneez has since secured a role with the NHS, demonstrating the difference that targeted employment support can make.

She said: “KYP’s Job Club gave me the support and confidence I needed to take the next step towards employment. I am now working for the NHS, and I’m incredibly grateful for the encouragement and opportunities KYP provided.”

For Farahnaz Jalil, volunteering with KYP became an important part of her journey following a period of personal tragedy. Becoming involved with the organisation gave Farahnaz an opportunity to reconnect with others, build her confidence and focus on her wellbeing.

She said: “After experiencing a personal tragedy, getting involved with KYP and becoming a volunteer gave me something positive to focus on. It helped me build my confidence, connect with people and get into a much better state of mind. Volunteering has made a real difference to me.”

The impact of KYP’s services is also reflected in feedback from service users. 83% reported improved wellbeing, 87% reported increased confidence, and 97% said they would recommend KYP. Furthermore, 54% of people accessing KYP services accessed more than one service, highlighting the value of KYP’s joined-up approach to supporting individuals and families.

These stories and statistics demonstrate that KYP’s impact goes far beyond numbers. They represent people across Rochdale who found support, learned new skills, secured work, improved their wellbeing, gained confidence or simply felt less alone.

Zulf Ahmed, CEO at Kashmir Youth Project, said: “The figures from 2025/26 demonstrate the scale and reach of KYP’s work, but behind every statistic is a person, a family or a community that has benefited from our support.

“We are incredibly proud of the dedication of our staff, volunteers, partners, members and supporters. Their contribution enables us to continue creating opportunities, improving wellbeing and making a meaningful difference across Rochdale.

“As we look towards the year ahead, we remain committed to building on this progress and working alongside our communities and partners to create an even greater impact.”

The annual public meeting, which followed the AGM on September 10, provided the wider community with an opportunity to hear more about KYP’s achievements, learn about the organisation’s work across its different services and engage with its plans for the future.