The Freedom Youth Club provides social drop-in sessions for 13–19-year-olds, targeting mainly unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people, and refugees.
As a way of engaging the boys, our Homelessness and Benefits advisor suggested doing some baking sessions. The group were asked what their favourite dessert from Syria was, and they said they missed the dessert called Halawet El Jibn. When asked why they said it reminded them of their childhood, saying it would make them feel comfortable and give them a taste of home.
After going through the health and hygiene rules, the boys had full use of the kitchen, only asking for help when needed. They showed amazing creativity and initiative, worked as a team, learnt may new skills and most importantly produced an incredible dessert.
These young people have never made Halawet El Jibn before and it was nice for the boys who were from Syria explaining to the other young people what the dessert was and on what occasions it would be made. This encouraged the different cultures within the youth club to mix and gave the boys the opportunity to show off Syrian food, and everyone else a chance to taste the beautiful dessert.
It's blooming amazing!
youth worker at Freedom Youth Club
The session was a great success and we are hoping to make it a regular event.
I loved it can we do it again next week?
a young person