CALS Youth Project

06/03/2025

At CALS Youth Project, we strive to embody these core values in everything we do. Each word represents the principles we stand by, in both English and Urdu!

Swipe through to see our key values.

06/03/2025

Youth Activity Summary: Papri Chat Cookery Lesson!

We had an amazing time on December 7th 2024, in Edinburgh, as our youth gathered for a hands-on Papri Chat cookery session! Led by our fantastic instructors Sumra and Shamaila, the session was packed with learning and fun. The participants learnt to:
• Roll papri dough
• Use safe cutting techniques
• Make delicious chutneys
• Present and plate their final dish like pros!

It wasn't just about cooking! Participants explore flavours through sensory activities - tasting onions, balancing spices and perfecting chutneys. After a fun filled cookery session the group relaxed over a friendly game of pool, sharing laughs and great conversations.

Here are some of their feedback:
• Kind and approachable instructors
• A fun, hands-on learning experience
• Interest in more challenging recipes like samosa's & pakoras
• A preference for smaller groups and a faster pace

Our first event was a success and we can't wait for the next one! Stay tuned for more youth activities.

17/02/2025

Our CALS Awareness Event, on December 19th 2024, was an inspiring evening filled with community spirit, insightful discussions, and cultural celebration!

Event Highlights:
• Powerful speeches from community leaders, including our founder Mohammed and dedicated youth worker Shamaila, who captivated the audience with Urdu poetry.
• Engaging group discussions that helped shape the future of the project, with fantastic feedback from parents, young people, and community leaders.
• A warm and welcoming atmosphere with delicious homemade food—chicken pilau, mixed dhal, and Shami kebabs!

Key Suggestions:
• Expanding inclusivity - more collaborations with local mosques & youth groups.
• Refining the target age group (12-18) for better engagement.
• Boys showed a preference for sports & gaming nights, while girls were keen on cooking & cultural events.
• Monthly Urdu film nights & competitions for fun learning were also suggested.
• Parents emphasised family trips to Pakistan & separate activities for boys and girls.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who attended and contributed to shaping this project! 💚 This was just the beginning

📸 Swipe through to relive the moments!

16/02/2025

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟
We’re thrilled to finally share that our Creating Allegiance and Love for Scotland (CALS) project received support from The National Lottery Community Fund back in October! 🎉

Since then, we've been working hard behind the scenes, and we officially launched our pilot in the first week of January. Now that our social media is up and running, we’re excited to bring you along on this journey!

This funding allows us to pilot this innovative initiative, empowering Scottish Pakistanis by fostering cultural pride, tackling social challenges, and creating safe spaces for dialogue and support.

A huge THANK YOU to The National Lottery Community Fund and to everyone who has been part of this journey so far! 🙌 We can’t wait to make a real difference in our community.

📍 Stay tuned for updates, events, and ways to get involved!

15/02/2025

Exciting New Project: Creating Allegiance and Love for Scotland 🇵🇰❤️🏴

In August 2024, we held a powerful focus group to hear from Scottish Pakistanis in Edinburgh about their cultural identity, experiences, and challenges. From navigating dual heritage to tackling discrimination and mental health stigma, the discussions were honest, eye-opening, and inspiring.

Key takeaways:
✨ Many cherish both their Scottish and Pakistani roots but face struggles in balancing traditions.
✨ Social challenges, stereotypes, and discrimination remain obstacles to full inclusion.
✨ There’s a strong need for culturally competent support, safe spaces, and mental health resources.
✨ Young people want more cultural and recreational activities, from traditional cooking to sports and language learning.

💡 With these insights, we’re shaping the Creating Allegiance and Love for Scotland project—aimed at fostering understanding, building inclusive communities, and ensuring Scottish Pakistanis feel truly at home.

📍 Stay tuned for upcoming events, workshops, and safe spaces for dialogue! Let’s celebrate and strengthen our rich cultural diversity together.

💬 Drop a comment or DM us if you’d like to get involved!

04/02/2025

Welcome to the Official page of the CALS Project!

We are excited to finally introduce Creating Allegiance and Love for Scotland (CALS) to the online world! Although our project launched at the start of the year, we have now set up this space to share our journey, progress, and impact with all of you.

CALS is a five-year initiative based in Edinburgh and surrounding postcode areas, aiming to support Scottish Youths of Pakistani Origin (SYPO), aged 11-25. Our goal is to empower young people, foster cultural identity, improve intergenerational communication, and prevent isolation or radicalisation—building a stronger, more cohesive and vibrant Scotland.

What We’ve Achieved So Far:
✅ Running weekend Urdu language and cookery classes, helping young people connect with their heritage and develop essential life skills.
✅ Hosted heritage seminars and cultural workshops to strengthen identity and belonging.
✅ Held several Safe Space Clinics, providing a supportive environment for open discussions on identity, challenges, and well-being.

We are just getting started! Over the next five years, we aim to expand our programs, strengthen community bonds, and drive meaningful change for SYPO and the wider society.

Get Involved!
We invite community members, organisations, and supporters to follow, engage, and share our work. Whether you’re a young person, a parent, a policymaker, or a supporter of multicultural Scotland—this is your space too!

💙 Join us in building a Scotland where every young person feels a sense of belonging, purpose, and pride.

Send a message to learn more