Community Mobilisation

Community development programmes are the foundation of all the programmes of SHED, at all locations, as they aspire to create a positive impact on our community. SHED has been striving for community development through various innovative community mobilisation programmes.

We have made conscious efforts to improve the quality of living of the senior citizens by providing them with an avenue where they can come together to share their joys and sorrows. We have 50 senior citizens across 5 SHGs in Dharavi, Kalina, Mahakali and Jogeshwari. We have created employment opportunities to female senior citizens by providing them with a grain grinding machine and linking the group with local mahila mandals for regular orders and sustainable income. Due to this aid, our female senior citizens are able to support themselves with a monthly income of 10,000 to 12,000 on monthly basis. We also take care of our senior citizen members by organising regular medical check up camps on diabetes, eye-check up and general health. Various entertainment activities, trips to parks are also organised.

SHED is working towards reducing the emotional distresses of marginalised people which lead to domestic strife. These disturbances range from heated arguments to domestic violence, alcoholism, drug addictions, divorces, disputes among children, emotional distress of senior citizens etc. To help such people SHED runs a counselling centre and provides psychological and legal aid to the victims. We have successfully resolved 487 cases registered in the categories of dowry, extra marital affairs, domestic violence, addictions, harassment by in-laws etc.

SHED’s Sanitary Napkin Production Unit at Dharavi not only empowers women from poorer sections with employment opportunities but also promotes low-cost and environmentally safe solutions for better menstrual hygiene to the local population. SHED also conducts awareness sessions on necessity of sanitary napkins and menstrual hygiene to the local mahila mandals.

SHED conducts numerous awareness and interactive programmes for various target groups on different issues. Street play on cleanliness at slums, drawing competitions in BMC schools, distribution of utensils, blankets and hygiene kits in tribal areas of Saphale, mobilising youth groups through ganesh mandals and cricket tournaments, organising prize distribution ceremonies for students in SHED’s supportive classes- these are a few examples of SHED’s community mobilisation activities.