The Forum's mentoring project

The Forum's mentoring project

Tuesday 6 December 2011

Dreams of Lonely People

Mahmood reflects on a painting of great significance to him:

The Lady of Shalott was painted by John William Waterhouse (1849-1917). It illustrates lines from part four of Lord Alfred Tennyson’s poem "The Lady of Shalott."


The lonely Lady of Shalott in her seclusion was in agony, looking through her window at the hills and trees beyond, haunted by reflections in her mirror, walking in her bower, from end to end, aimlessly. Day after day this agony recurred, endlessly it seemed. She continued weaving the web, dreaming of her gallant knight, Lancelot of Camelot.

Longing could be fatal, and loneliness could be fatal too. To escape from this longing and loneliness pressing hard on her mind and chest, she ran to the boat at the bank of the river, with her web, and let the boat float in the river to Camelot, to meet her knight Sir Lancelot.

Tuesday 15 November 2011

Goodbye to Charlene

Mahmood shares with us his reflections on Charlene's departure from MRCF in September, as her graduate placement with the Mentoring Project drew to a close. He speaks for all of us!

The disappointment is adorned with hopes
Like the night wind blowing softly
It makes me sad to miss the gentle smile
The pains of leaving fall heavily on the heart
Now I am forced out of the old way


The old friends and familiar places
Are left behind like a moonless night
The past days and vivid memories
Come to the soul like masked shadows
Now I am forced out of the old way

Tuesday 16 August 2011

A Visit to Stratford-upon-Avon

Mahmood shares with us about his recent visit to Stratford-upon-Avon...

St.Chad's Sanctuary in Birmingham arranged a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon for a group of asylum seekers on Wednesday, the 27th of July. The coach took 45 minutes to reach the city.

Stratford is the birth place of William Shakespeare (1564-1616). He spent the last five years of his life in Stratford. When he died, at the age of 52, he was buried in Holy Trinity Church. Other members of his family were buried in the same church, next to his grave.

Tuesday 2 August 2011

Top Tips for Integrating into the UK


Earlier this summer, the Blog Team gathered to discuss tips and tactics on how to adjust and make the most out of living in the UK. Many of us shared our first experiences and how we were able to beat loneliness and make new friends.

These are our top tips for integrating into the UK:

1) The local library is a great resource. You can use the Internet, read, talk to people, find people who are interested in the same fields, and get maps and information about everything including what's going on in the city and different programmes. - Ali

2) When you think everybody is calling you "Mike," they are calling you "mate." - Louie

3) Go to parks, cinemas, theatres, museums and pubs and make new friends. - Louie

4) Mix with people, walk around, observe how people are, read newspapers, watch TV. - Mahmood

5) Everyone is always thinking about the weekend. - Mohsen

6) Don't eat too much fish and chips. - Mohsen

7) Ask a British person how to use a bus map (or use tfl.gov.uk). - Nick

Wednesday 13 July 2011

Original Songs by Blog Team Members


Listen to these pieces of musical art composed by Ali, Louie and Mahmood in Bobby Whiskers’ music workshop! 


MRCF organised and sponsored the workshop, which took place during 5 2-hour sessions from mid-February to mid-March, followed by a one-day recording session in April.

Sharing a little about the process involved in writing their lyrics and recording their songs, Ali and Louie said that Bobby began the workshop by bringing in samples of rap music and leading a discussion about what informed the writing, rhyme, rhythm and figures of speech - such as alliteration, repetition, similes and metaphors.

Tuesday 5 July 2011

Interview with Someone Who Is Far Away from Home

Mahmood helps us get to know Aissata a little bit better...
Q: Where and when you were born?
A: I was born in Guinea in 1975.
Q: Where was your first school?
A: My first school was in France.
Q: Are you studying now?
A: I am not currently studying.
Q: When you started writing poetry? What initiated you into writing?
A: I started writing poems after high-school. That's when my boy-friend at the time travelled to England. I was sad, so I decided to fill his absence with written words.
Q: Tell us about your poem "The Wrestlers"?
A: "The Wrestlers" is about pride and shame: sometimes, not knowing when to display pride can lead to embarassment. It's about two men, not really bright, fighting over something very foolish.
Q: Tell us about your poem "The tears of my mother"?
A: "The Tears of My Mother" is about immigration, the need for young people to leave their families and their country for a better life in Europe, and the dangers they face when traveling from one continent to another. It's about a mother waiting to receive news from her son who left years ago for an unknown place. The truth could be that he died during his journey, trying to reach Europe. I am just exploring the pain it can be for a mother to wait years and years for a son that will never come back.
Q: Who is your favourite poet?
A: My favourite poet is Guy Tirolien, a French caribbean.
Q: What are your future plans?
A: All of my plans are on hold at the moment. I only have dreams that cannot be shared at this particular time.
Q: When you first knew about English Pen?
A: I first knew about English Pen during the creative writing workshop at MRCF. From what I can see, they (English Pen, MRCF as well) do a great job in helping people from different background to be more proficient in English.
Q: What does "Life" mean to you?
A: Life means experience, love, friendship, good things and also bad things; learning from mistakes, learning from others.

Friday 17 June 2011

Alone--Mahmood, 10/6/2011



The man gazed at the changing hues of sunset.
The darkness was full of ghosts.
Alone, tormented by his moveless woe,
What hope had he, in the shadows of despair?
Farewell the land of Babylon-
You may not see him again.
Farewell the rivers of Babylon-
He may not see you again.
Grief in silence, in everlasting pain.
Blurred are the faces and the voices are low.
People are gathered in a crowd
Unaware of each other’s trouble or joy,
A multitude of separate hollow poles.
He recalled the family gathering around
The fire on a cold winter night.
The warmth of affection gave them joy.
Those warm winter nights are gone now.
Lastly, he walked to his bed and lay down.