I have known MMI for 6 months and met them through a day trip to Blackpool. The Leader of MMI, Basharat came to deliver my tickets and explained what they do. Immediately, on the spot I knew that this was the place for me. The trip was amazing and was not like any ordinary trip away. We sang all the way on the journey and I got to know all the team members who were very welcoming and it felt like I knew them for ages.
I went through a bad time in my life on a personal, physical and emotional level. I was isolated and had no family support. MMI taught me that there is always someone there for you who you can sit down with and forget your troubles.
MMI brought out the person I really am and taught me that I have a right to be independent and equal. As a result of coming to MMI my confidence increased and I developed courage to sing and perform and discover my talents which I didn’t know I had. I didn’t know I could sing before MMI.
They brought out the real me.
In the near future I would like to continue to develop my singing and progress from being an amateur singer to a professional. I would like to teach others, particularly newcomers what I learnt myself through MMI.
I have been in contact with MMI for a year. Before I met them, I was living in a hostel , had a lot of problems for a long time, living on my own and had depression. Whilst in the hostel, I was surrounded by many criminals and as I wasn’t in the right state of mind I became one of them. I started doing stupid stuff.
Just before I became involved with MMI I thought this was the end for me. I was at my lowest point and became suicidal when I was 17. What they did for me? They provided me with a loving family, people are so nice to me it feels like I am at home and I have that mother love again. People that went through similar problems like mine at MMI supported me and helped me and told me that they have been through it. They appreciated how strong I am to even go through it and they were part of the process of me changing. I was inspired by a certain person recently to do charity work and saw how she was helping others and thought to myself that I want to learn and help others too. MMI
provided me with the comfort that I never had. I felt a sense of belonging. They made me discover my capability of singing and taught me that it is possible for me to become who I am again. They showed me that I am capable of controlling myself and getting back on track. MMI provided me with information and inspired me. Everyone has a special story, everyone has ups and downs but those ups and downs can be changed through MMI which provides you a platform to perform, to chill out and make new friends who seem like family members.
How I have improved? M confidence has improved and my sense of humour has improved as well. I am not being stupid or doing bad things like I used to. I am supporting others that went through similar situations and trying to get youngsters to listen about the work that MMI does and get them to join MMI so that they can also change for the better, like I did. MMI is trying to make a better world and are there for a reason. We all come together, have so much fun every week. Saturday is like a break for me from stress, I don’t think about anything else when I am here. The background is full of music, laughter, joy. My aspiration for the future is to help others and giving something back.
