Somali Youth Development Resource Centre (SYDRC) is youth community based organisation that has been working with Somali young people and other young people in Camden and neighboring boroughs since 2000. SYDRC is unique in Camden as the only youth lead organisation providing activities and services for young people .
“Our vision is of a society where Somali young people can realise their full potential”
“To empower and inspire Somali young people to achieve their true potential by equipping them with the tools for tomorrow, to enable them to take responsibility for their lives and develop as individuals and make the successful transition to adulthood”
We value:
- All Somali young people and other young people and their families
- Our community, culture, religion, and language
- Active participation of young people and the contributions they can make to our organisation, our community and society
- A quality service provided in a flexible and adaptable manner that meets the needs of young people and other young people
- Respect for the principles of tolerance, honesty, integrity, trust and decency
Encouraging the involvement of Somali young people and other young people in decision making processes
Our History
Somali Youth Development Resource Centre (SYDRC) was established in September 2000.
A research produced by the Institute of Education, London University revealed that only 1 Somali child had passed the GCSE examination in 1999. This research also examined the numbers of Somali Children passing their GCSEs. At GCSE level, Camden pupil`s averaged 47.7% gaining five A*-C passes but Somali pupils average was only 3.1%.
To tackle these challenges, SYDRC built a coordinated, comprehensive local agenda to support the integration of Somali youth into Camden schools and community. We were able to challenge underachievement and has contributed to the development of Somali young people in Camden.
In 2010 academic year SYDRC first prize winner achieved 10A*s in her GCSE in every subject she took and set benchmark of her own and currently studying Medicine at Kings College University.
This was in comparison to 2000 when the Somali community became actively conscious of the grades their children were receiving at GCSE level, which were abysmal and very unsatisfactory. As result of SYDRC Annual Educational Achievement Award, weekend supplementary classes, school mentoring and Somali parents hard work our pupils’ are climbing to the top of the educational league with an average of 64%.
Overall, the educational achievement has increased from 3.1% to 64% for girls and 59% for boys and still increasing gradually year upon year.