About Us

Who Are We?

KYP is a leading community/ voluntary organisation established in 1979 and has since been providing a variety of services to the communities of Rochdale, Greater Manchester and beyond for over 40 years. We are an independant charity dedicated to the development and economic regeneration of the communities of Rochdale. Our ethos is one of community empowerment, whether that is through enterprise, employment or training.

Our motto is “Investing in People, Developing Skills”.

We are dedicated to helping individuals obtain the services and skills they require to meet and fulfil community and personal needs. We offer a high level of practical and lived experience, know-how and a network with long established partnerships.

In line with our aims, we provide an on-site Nursery (Little Gems) as well as an Elders Day Care Centre (Apna Ghar), effectively removing two of the largest barriers to employment as an alternative, KYP offers business support by providing excellent affordable managed workspace for new start-ups and growth companies.

KYP also provides a bi-lingual Welfare Advice service for those that struggle to access the support they need due to language barriers.

We have state of the art conference and training facilities as well as community facilities for residents, community groups and other organisations for hire.

Our Journey
KYP has been empowering, assisting and supporting individuals and communities from a diverse range of backgrounds and heritage (especially those from BAME and vulnerable groups) for over 40 years. We are a registered charity (1003644) and an organisation that has evolved and adapted over time to align with the emerging and changing needs of local and wider communities. We have a wide reach and serve communities that are disadvantage and ranked in the IMD as the most deprived within Rochdale and Greater Manchester. Throughout the period of our existence, we have maintained an overarching ethos of promoting personal growth and resilience, developing sustainability and ultimately, supporting economic and social wellbeing for individuals and communities.
We have a successful track record of providing education, training, business support and welfare advice to individuals and groups who are considered by some as "hard to reach", i.e. those who encounter barriers to accessing services, provision or support. We have extensive experience of delivering formal and informal training; Vocational Training; Apprenticeships (Business Administration, Customer Services, Early Years/Child Care, Adult Care); Functional Skills in English, Maths and ICT; Community Development; Adult and Community Learning, ESOL; Job Clubs; Health and Wellbeing activities, Social Prescribing, Elderly Day Care, Nursery Provision, Workforce Development, Ethnic Minority Business Support (EMBS) and Women Into Business, Refugee/Asylum Seeker Support, GCSE Support and Fuel Poverty.

Key Milestones

1979- KYP set up Kashmir Youth Association (KYA)
1980- KYA starts operating from the attic of a terraced house in the Wardleworth area of Rochdale
1982- KYA secures a grant from Manpower Services Commission to provide Kashmir Advice Bureau (KAB)
1983- KAB moves to a portacabin on Buckingham Street
1986- KYP purchases and moves to Belfield Road premises (ex printing workshop)
1989- His Royal Highness Prince Charles visits KYP
1993- KYP is a member of the UN Human Rights Delegation to Israel and Palestine
1994- Visit of Rt. Hon. Paddy Ashdown (Late)-Leader of the Liberal Democrats
1998- KYP diversifies and training is extended to local businesses and employers
1998- KYP achieves ISO 9001 Quality Assurance standard
2000- Day Care service launched (Apna Ghar)
2003- Ethnic Minority Business Support Service (EMBS) launched
2005- Former general Manager of KYP Shahid Malik elected MP. Becomes first Muslim heritage Minister in 2007
2007- KYP moved to £3.2 million refurbished UEC Centre officially opened by Chief Secretary to the Treasury, The Right Honourable Andy Burnham MP
2010- Purpose built Day Care and Community Facilities opened by HRH Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Unity House/Apna Ghar)
2011- KYP founder Qurban Hussain awarded peerage- Baron Hussain of Luton
2012- KYP founder Mohammed Habeebullah awarded OBE
2012- Rochdale Diversity Awards estabilished
2013- KYP launches Apprenticeships Programme
2015- KYP commences higher level Apprenticeships (Level 4 to 5)
2016- KYP appointed lead for Ambition for Ageing Rochdale (4 year programme)
2019- KYP awarded AMIF to support Third Country Nationals (5 year programme)

KYP's Vision Statement

Provide innovative solutions to empower people to achieve their potential, enhance their prosperity and live sustainably.

Mission

Engaging, Empowering, Educating

Core values

We have one standard – excellence
We act with integrity, responsibility and cultural sensitivity.
We actively strive to empower and improve communities.
We are committed to working in partnership for the benefit of the communities that we serve.