Community Story: The Pakistan Youth and Community Association (PYCA)

For our latest feature on a recent recipient of a grant from the Community Matters Fund (Future Skills) 2026 from National Grid, Luke Upton was in Leicester to catch up with Misbah Batool from the Pakistan Youth and Community Association (PYCA) to talk overcoming barriers, employability programmes, hopes for wider cross‑sector collaboration and more.

Luke Upton (LU): Thank you for speaking to use today Misbah, can you give us a little introduction into the origins and development of the Pakistan Youth and Community Association (PYCA) and how it supports your community?

Misbah Batool (MB): Thank you for the time, Pakistan Youth & Community Association (PYCA) is located in the heart of one of Leicester’s most deprived inner-city areas. Established in 1993, the organisation began delivering services to the local community in 2000 with the opening of the Pakistan Centre. We are a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. The mission of PYCA is centred on improving the quality of life and opportunities for disadvantaged and minority ethnic communities in Leicester.

We therefore aim to empower disadvantaged and underrepresented communities in Leicester by helping them access education, employment opportunities, and essential services. The organisation’s core purpose is to reduce social and economic inequalities by providing practical support, skills development, and community-based programmes that enable individuals to improve their quality of life and reduce the impact of poverty. PYCA has over 25 years of experience delivering educational, employment, social, and wellbeing services to disadvantaged and minority ethnic communities. While originally established to support Pakistani communities, PYCA now has an inclusive reach, with around 50% of its service users from other ethnic backgrounds showing its relevance and need in wider communities.

LU: Thanks, and what have been some of your recent priorities and focus?

MB: PYCA’s recent priorities have focused on reducing economic inactivity within Leicester’s South Asian communities by addressing language barriers, digital exclusion, and access to tailored employability support for young people and women who are NEET or long‑term unemployed. We have strengthened culturally competent wellbeing programmes that support mental health, tackle social isolation among elderly South Asian residents, and provide early‑intervention support for young people at risk of disengagement. Our work increasingly supports individuals facing complex barriers, including poor health, caring responsibilities, limited confidence, and restricted work experience.

Alongside this, we have expanded accredited training, community safety initiatives, and women’s empowerment programmes. Partnerships with the DWP, local authority, NHS, and voluntary‑sector organisations ensure coordinated support. Across all priorities, our aim is to help residents progress towards employment, education, volunteering, and improved wellbeing through practical, person‑centred interventions.

LU: Brilliant, you’ve just received funding from the Community Matters Fund (Future Skills) 2026 from National Grid and Localgiving. Can you tell us some more about the project, what it will help fund and what it aims to deliver.

MB: Funding from the Community Matters Fund (Future Skills) 2026, supported by National Grid and Localgiving, enables PYCA to deliver Pathways to Progress, a new employability programme for NEET young people and economically inactive women from ethnic minority backgrounds. The grant supports weekly workshops, one‑to‑one guidance, and access to FREE accredited qualifications such as Food Safety Level 2 and Emergency First Aid at Work Level 3. These qualifications are highly valued for entry‑level roles in schools, childcare, youth work, community organisations, and frontline services.

It’s a fantastic project and we are appreciative of the support from the Community Matters Fund in helping make it happen, it aims to build confidence, strengthen CVs, improve digital and interview skills, and help participants understand local employment pathways. It also supports outreach, referrals, and partnership work to ensure residents who face barriers including low confidence or limited English can access meaningful opportunities. Thank you again to National Grid and Localgiving,

LU: How important is this kind of grant funding to your organisation?

MB: Grant funding is vital to PYCA’s ability to deliver targeted, high‑impact support for communities who often fall through the gaps of mainstream provision. As a grassroots organisation, we work closely with residents who face multiple barriers, and flexible funding allows us to design programmes that respond directly to their needs. Grants like the Community Matters Fund enable us to offer accredited qualifications, personalised guidance, and outreach that would otherwise be inaccessible.

They also help us sustain our community space, invest in staff capacity, and strengthen partnerships. Most importantly, this funding ensures that individuals who are economically inactive, isolated, or lacking confidence can access life‑changing opportunities that move them closer to employment, education, and improved wellbeing. So, yes, very important indeed!

LU: And finally, as we we always like to ask our community members, more money aside, what would help you most? 

MB: Beyond financial support, what would help PYCA most is stronger cross‑sector collaboration and increased visibility of our work among local employers, training providers, and statutory services. Many of our participants are motivated and capable but lack networks, recent experience, or confidence to access opportunities. Partnerships that open doors to work placements, volunteering roles, mentoring, and employer engagement would significantly enhance their progression.

Additionally, shared referral pathways, co‑delivered workshops, and strategic collaboration with organisations working on employment, health, and community safety would amplify impact. Support with digital infrastructure, evaluation tools, and long‑term sustainability planning would also help us continue delivering high‑quality programmes that meet the evolving needs of Leicester’s communities.

LU: Thank you, Misbah, the pride in the support your give your community really does shine through.

MB: Yes, I’m glad it does! Since 2020, PYCA has supported around 6,000 people from ethnic minority communities through education, skills, and employability programmes. Weekly participation increased by 120%, and over 950 learners gained qualifications that improved their employment prospects.

 A total of 590 individuals, approximately 530 households, have secured jobs in sectors including education, care, retail, security, and warehousing, while 300 work placements provided practical experience. PYCA’s enterprise support enabled 45 participants to start small businesses, promoting financial independence.

For those furthest from the labour market, our programmes build confidence, skills, and pathways into employment. PYCA also reduced social isolation and improved wellbeing. Around 600 individuals, particularly women and older adults, strengthened their social networks and community participation. In addition, 1840 people accessed information, advice, and guidance services to help them navigate employment, education, welfare, and public services. So yes, very proud and excited to keep supporting our community!  

LU: Great, thanks very much Misbah. We look forward to following your work.

Find out more about the PYCA here. 

For the latest on the Community Matters Fund click here. 

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