Projects
One Community Scotland
What do One Community Scotland do?
One Community Scotland (OCS) offer support to young people and families who are new to the country. The award-winning charity’s aim is to help those from a diverse background overcome barriers and reach their potential as they create a life in Scotland. OCS can provide support with everything from mental wellbeing to employability and training. The focus is on young people aged 12 to 24 and their families.
Who are One Community Scotland?
Khadija Coll
OCS is led by founder Khadija Coll. Khadija has supported vulnerable families in Scotland for more than two decades. Her work is informed by her own experience of the challenges encountered moving from Africa to Scotland with a young family. She was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 2020 birthday honours for services to diversity and equality, and an honorary doctorate from Stirling University in 2023 for her charity and campaigning work.
Jasmin Aden
Jasmin joined OCS in 2022 as its first youth worker running a new programme. Now a senior youth coordinator, Jasmin, is the child of two asylum seekers and was the first to graduate from university in her family, with a MSc in International Relations. Jasmin understands the daily challenges many young people face as well as the limited support network some young people unfortunately often encounter.
Emmanuel Nwachi
Emmanuel has more than ten years of experience working with you ng people. He joined OCS as a youth navigator in April 2023. He is passionate about helping everyone make the most of their potential and talent. He strongly believes that all young people can become the best version of themselves when inspired and supported.
What challenges can OCS help with?
OCS recognises that discrimination, isolation and a lack of networks in a new country can act as a barrier to young people and their families creating a life in Scotland. The charity’s aim is to ensure those from a diverse background can overcome such barriers and reach their potential. OCS offers mentoring and support to achieve this.
A very active youth advisory panel helps ensure the charity create the support that’s needed to help young people reach their goals. Recent work includes crisis relief in response to the pandemic, an annual Summer Hangout programme, and weekend sessions for young men aged 16-25 who are refugees or asylum seekers.
Many of the young people who participate in the programmes go on to become ambassadors and champions, developing leadership skills to guide and mentor the next group benefiting from OCS support.
Where do we work?
OCS has established strong relationships with diverse communities in and around Glasgow.
Working with service providers
OCS works closely with a range of partners including the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit. In February 2023 the charity received a Police Scotland Chief Constable’s Award for their work in equality, diversity and inclusion.
OCS has also received funding support from Youthlink Scotland, Young Start delivered by the National Lottery Community Fund, BBC Children In Need, and the Robertson Trust.
How do you get in touch with us?
Please contact info@onecomscot.org or visit Contact – One Com Scot
Who runs OCS?
OCS is delivered in partnership with the SVRU.
OCS is a registered charity SCO50378.
