Bristol Somali Youth Voice supports some of the most disadvantaged young people from deprived areas, including those from ethnic minority and Muslim backgrounds who are often underrepresented in public services and face barriers in accessing employment opportunities. We are deeply committed promoting active citizenship and creating opportunities for young people to reach their full potential, especially by helping them to access roles in underrepresented sectors such as public service.
As part of this commitment, Bristol Somali youth voice and along with Bristol Somali forum have organised an event aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion in the Armed Forces. The event brought together a wide range of community stakeholders including young people, parents, community and faith leaders, and professionals to learn about career opportunities within the British Army.
Our aim was to provide information, knowledge, and an open space for dialogue, particularly for those from underrepresented groups, to explore available career paths in the Army. The event focused on addressing the underrepresentation of young people from Muslim backgrounds and increasing awareness of the many professional roles available beyond combat positions.
In addition to providing valuable information about career opportunities, the event served as a platform to discuss community concerns, build understanding, and explore ways to improve diversity and representation in the armed forces.
Mohamed A. Sayaqle, one of the event organisers, said:
“We want young people to learn about the different career options available in the Army, inspiring more young people especially those from Muslim backgrounds to explore opportunities in the armed forces whether in healthcare, IT, or other professional areas. This is not only about promoting diversity and inclusion within the armed forces, but also about helping young people understand and engage with these opportunities.”
Abdul Ahmed.
“We want this to open pathway for young people to explore available opportunities and to serve their country, we don’t want to assume one size fit approach, we want to create discussions at the community level, bring the opportunity for the community and inspire more young people to connect with this opportunities, we want change from bottom-up”.
He added:
“We hope these discussions will help build trust and inspire more young people, especially those from ethnic minority backgrounds, to consider serving their country through a career in the Army.”
One of the young attendees shared:
“I learned a lot today. I didn’t know the Army offered such a wide range of job opportunities. I always assumed it was just about being a soldier. This event really opened my eyes, I think many other young people need to know about this too.”
The event achieved a strong turnout and was widely recognised as an effective step towards bridging community gaps and promoting inclusion and understanding within the armed forces.