**Muslims tackle isolation of women prisoners**

Diigo

Young Muslim women who are pressured into committing crimes such as drug trafficking and end up in prison, will be receiving help as part of the CSV Make a Difference Day campaign. CSV Make a Difference Day is the UK's largest single day of volunteering which is supported by Barclays Community Investment Programme. Around 115,000 people across the UK are expected to take part, giving time instead of money to improve communities.

As part of the campaign, the Muslim Youth Helpline will be reaching out to these women and sending them gift boxes over the Eid period.

The gift boxes will include a copy of the Qu'ran, a CD donated by Cat Stevens and information on where to get support after their release.

The group hope their activity will ease loneliness and depression brought on by being isolated and alienated from their families and communities.

"Young Muslim women can be very naïve and are often pushed into situations where they don't know what they are getting themselves into," says Faridha from the Muslim Youth Helpline. "Many women prisoners are alienated by their families who believe they have brought shame to their communities so they might not have any visitors and little support."

Through this activity, the Muslim Youth Helpline will also be trying to achieve long-term befriending relationships with the women prisoners.

CSV Make a Difference Day is on Saturday 28th October, with activities taking place two weeks either side. Some of the activities organised by BME communities include:

Cultural exchange with Polish and Somalis
Young people from Polish and Somali communities are being befriended by staff from Barclaycard.  The young people will be taken on a day trip to historical sites on CSV Make a Difference Day. They hope this will be the start of lasting mentoring relationships. In exchange, the Polish and Somali communities will be sharing stories about their lives through a variety of radio broadcasts.

Sikhs seeking help at the temple
Volunteers of all shapes and sizes are needed for a mass volunteering event at the Dashmesh Sikh temple in Manchester. Activities include baking and donating cakes, painting and decorating, and building a new garden in the temple grounds. A children's sports event will also be held a few metres from the temple grounds.

Hairdressers give pensioners 'something for the weekend'
Many older people do not have the money for haircuts so a group of Latin American hairdressers will be giving away their services for free to elderly people in their local community.  It is an opportunity to connect with the community and give something back to the people who live locally. 

Last year, around 55% of people  who took part in CSV Make a Difference Day were new to volunteering, and 63% of those have gone on to volunteer since. (1)  This shows how the campaign provides an excellent taster opportunity for new volunteers and provides a stepping stone into more sustained volunteering.

But despite record breaking figures expected this year, the campaign organisers feel there is still much more work to do.

Claire Ghoussoub, CSV Make a Difference Day Manager said: "Research shows that there are around 11 million people waiting to be asked to volunteer. (2) Many are uncertain what to do, or are worried about having to make a big time commitment. CSV Make a Difference Day is a way of trying volunteering without commitment and finding out what suits you best.

"This activity is just one example of the many ways you can make a difference. Feel inspired? Then what are you waiting for - give us a call or go to our website and register your time today!"

Diigo