Testimonials

Dignitaries

Rt Hon Theresa May MP and Former Prime Minister

"Social inclusion and the empowerment of young people and women from all backgrounds are essential to solving the root causes of radicalisation, extremism and hate crime. Your projects demonstrate the importance of the work you and other organisations do to address these issues that help the most vulnerable in our country."

Rt Hon. David Cameron Former MP and Former Prime Minister

"I personally see this as an excellent example of the importance of community-led schemes in tackling extremism online; thank you for your work."

Farrah Storr, Editor in Chief Cosmopolitan Magazine and Author

"...the effects of 7/7 have also had an extraordinary effect on her life. That's because Sajda now runs one of the most important NGOs in the country: The JAN Trust. It’s a charity dedicated to fighting and preventing extremism in the UK..."

Rt Hon. Boris Johnson, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

"I am pleased to send my best wishes to JAN Trust and would like to commend JAN Trust on the work they have achieved for Black, ethnic minority and refugee women in London. It is great to hear that you are improving the life of local communities and making a real difference. You have made a tremendous effort in dealing with social inclusion, raising aspirations of Black minority ethnic and refugee women and relieving poverty amongst this group and I would like to wish you continued success in all that you do."

Baroness Joanna Shields, Minister for Internet Safety and Security

"I appreciate that this project has taken a direct approach to provide women with the relevant tools, knowledge and support to positively engage with young people on their online interactions. Your project is playing an important role in helping build their capability to safeguard children and young people."

Clive Betts MP, Chair of the Communities and Local Government Committee

"The wide ranging work of your organisation that you describe to tackle extremism in communities, and particularly among Muslim women, is commendable."

Justine Greening MP, Former Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities

"I was struck by your reference to enabling vulnerable communities to feel part of society rather than apart from it. It is salutary to consider the experiences that must have led the Trust to describe its work in such terms."

Sarah Newton MP, Parliamentary under-Secretary of State at the Home Office for Vulnerability, Safeguarding and Countering Extremism

"Your programmes look to be ambitious and wide ranging which is commendable. Like many organisations across the country your contribution enables those at risk from radicalisation and isolation to fully engage in British life."

The Lord Carlile of Berriew CBE QC

"The work undertaken by the JAN Trust and in particular their CEO Sajda Mughal is highly commendable. As a survivor of 7/7, Sajda has now dedicated her life to tackling extremism within her own Muslim community. To show such forceful resistance in the face of hate is truly admirable. The JAN Trusts’ holistic approach to tackling extremism, by encouraging, empowering and educating BAME and Muslim and women through a variety of educational projects including its Web Guardians™ programme, is of great public benefit and is certainly a significant reason why they are regarded as one of the best charities in the field. We must learn from them, as their work plays a vital role in creating cohesive and safe communities for all."

Joanne McCartney AM, Assembly Member for Enfield and Haringey and Deputy Mayor of London

"JAN Trust is an excellent and very worthwhile organisation that does a tremendous amount to help women from disadvantaged and ethnic minority backgrounds. I was very impressed with the work when I visited the charity, and I will continue to support and wish the trust continued success with their invaluable work."

Rt Hon. Nick Clegg Former MP and Deputy Prime Minister

"We welcome the superb work being undertaken by NGO's and community organisations such as JAN Trust on the issue of forced marriages.....Your emphasis on empowerment and citizenship is one that we particularly support and your expertise working with women and communities is extremely valuable."

Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, Former Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

"Your charity has an impressive track record in this field, providing a visible and valuable front in tackling extremism ideology in Britain today."

Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP

"I applaud JAN Trust's original and imaginative work in supporting mothers to keep their children safe online.  Their work on combating extremist ideologies at a community level is vitally important - we have seen too many vulnerable young people led astray, causing distress to their families and in some cases wasting their entire lives.  As the Labour's Party Faith Envoy, I support JAN Trust's commitment to a harmonious and inclusive society which draws strength from the contributions of its distinctive faith communities."

Rt Hon Julian Lewis MP

"One of the current leaders of the JAN Trust narrowly escaped death on the London underground on 7/7. Her experience then illustrates most forcefully the vital work of the Trust in fighting against violent extremism, in helping Muslim communities to integrate into British society and in emphasising the great potential of women in ethnic minorities to make these objectives succeed."

Rt Hon. Sir Eric Pickles, Former MP and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government

"I welcome the role of JAN Trust in empowering people from Black minority ethnic communities, especially women, in supporting them to build their skills and self confidence to enable them to play a proactive role in their communities and wider society."

Lynne Featherstone Former MP for Wood Green and Hornsey and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development

"It was encouraging to hear about the wide range of work being undertaken by JAN Trust.....The women learning English at the Trust seemed very happy and positive – and from the conversations I had with them, it is clear that the lessons are really helping with their language skills. It was like a mini United Nations, with women from all over the world – Vietnam, Iran and Poland, to name a few! The Trust are working on and raising awareness of really important issues, and I wish them all the best with their campaigns and work in the future."

Rt Hon. Andrew Stunell OBE, Former UnderSecretary of State for Communities and Local Government

"We value the work that JAN Trust does to empower people from Black minority ethnic communities, especially women - helping them to acquire leadership skills, engage and participate in civic society and to build their skills and self confidence to enable them to play a pro active role in their communities and wider society. We often hear that 'we are all in this together'. All of us have a role to play in the Big Society which we can all contribute and from which all can benefit. The result will be a safer stronger society in which everyone is valued and can play an active part. JAN Trust is helping this to happen and they should be congratulated for their work."

Richard Barnes, Former Deputy Mayor of London

"I'd very much like to commend JAN Trust on all the hard work they have achieved Black, refugee and ethnic minority women in London. I know that this hard work will continue and make such a difference to so many people. I wish you every continued success for the future."

Lord Mohamed Sheikh, Baron of Cornhill

"I do appreciate and commend JAN Trust which is involved in empowering women and young people in order to help them integrate into the British society. The organisation has achieved considerable success and I hope that they go forward from strength to strength."

Metropolitan Police Service

"The Metropolitan Police Service is working closely with JAN Trust. The work that JAN Trust carries out with women and young people is a great contribution to community safety."

The Co-operative Group

"JAN Trust's commitment to helping women from disadvantaged and ethnic minority backgrounds find empowerment and independence through its services and activities particularly education and training should be applauded and replicated across our communities ."

The Centre for Social Justice, UK

"JAN Trust are the true front line when it comes to supporting individuals, families and whole communities who are facing extreme poverty and social disadvantage, and we congratulate you for this incredibly important work."

Shahid Malik MP, Former Undersecretary of State for Communities and Local Government

"I would like to commend JAN Trust for its hard work in the community. The work of JAN Trust in training, mentoring, counselling and providing social support for women, especially from Black minority ethnic communities has a really important role to play in society."

Rt Hon. Hazel Blears MP, Former Undersecretary of State for Communities

"I was really impressed with the work that you have led at JAN Trust, and the positive change you have inspired in the women who have participated in the Trust's work."

Councillor Lorna Reith, Haringey Council, Former Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Involvement

"Haringey Council is delighted to assist and support JAN Trust in its work with BAME, refugee and asylum seeker women. We recognise the barriers these women face in gaining language skills and confidence, accessing employment and moving out of poverty. We see JAN Trust's services as making an important contribution to improving the lives of the most vulnerable women in our borough and look forward to working with JAN Trust for many years to come."

Users

Leila

"Before I came to JAN Trust I could not speak English and lacked confidence. I am now able to communicate in English and have gained so much confidence. I have also made many friends which has increased my social circle and well-being."

Shazia

"I love JAN Trust - it's my second home."

Parveen

"A big thank you to JAN Trust who has helped me gain new skills and confidence. They supported me in opening my own fashion business which is proving to be successful. JAN Trust has inspired me to continue with my business and support my family out of poverty."

Mandy

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity in meeting with Lynne Featherstone MP. I'm really motivated to now get involved locally with the community. I would like to start by volunteering at JAN Trust."

Jamila

"I now understand what a forced marriage is and that it is wrong. I really appreciate your immense support and one-to-one assistance."

Ranjeet

"Without JAN Trust I would have continued with my abusive relationship. The support JAN Trust has provided me has lifted my spirits and I am very happy and am now re building my life."

Zahra

"Through your Web Guardians programme™ with us you have now saved our families, please go out there and save more!"

Nafisa

"You have equipped me with the skills for employment and I'm now working as a Teaching Assistant. I was encouraged all the way. Very inspirational!"

Fatma

"I would like to thank everyone at JAN Trust for the amazing work you do to educate our communities. I have thoroughly enjoyed the  Web Guardians™ course, and plan to implement what I learned into my daily work and family life."

Ali

"We have learnt so much since we started using JAN Trust's youth service. We enjoy coming here and doing different things and we've made so many friends. I don't know what I would be doing if I did not have the support of this service and JAN Trust."

Maryam

"Thank you to the people at JAN Trust, I went through a forced marriage when I was younger, it is really nice to know that JAN Trust is working to end forced marriage and support people like me."

Feliz

"I thank JAN Trust for providing me with advice on my housing issue. Without them I wouldn't have known who to turn to. I would have been very depressed."

Nabeela

"When I first came to the UK I was scared. The teachers here at JAN Trust have supported me and I have made friends. Before I couldn't speak English at all. For 20 years I did not go to school in Afghanistan. And now I have passed my classes here, I want to go college. Now I go to my kids parents evening. I can go on my own and am confident. I am very happy. I love my teachers and classes."

Saira

"Thanks to all at JAN Trust, they have made me aware of health issues that I did not know of. I have been able to pass this learning and knowledge onto my friends and family."

Abida

"If JAN Trust did not provide us with a service for the elderly we would be sitting at home lonely and depressed."

Nargis

"The course [Web Guardians™] was excellent and well presented; a lot of the ladies have been affected because they know the families of the boys who left for Syria. With this course we saw how young people can be radicalised on the Internet. Now we know about it, we can help protect our children."

Safia

"I'm very happy to be at JAN Trust. Before I joined here, I could not understand or speak a word of English and I didn't have any friends. I was at home every-day lonely and crying and now I feel so happy and confident. Thank you JAN Trust."