The Story So Far
Safety First Community Training Centre was successful in receiving support from the Peoples Health Trust Active Communities Fund in November 2022
The ‘B Active Bradford’ project will bring a people together with common interests and needs , to work together for the benefit of themselves and their local communities by learning English in fun settings and reduce the inequalities that older South Asian women have had to endure for years .
Women from the socially isolated inner city areas of Bradford are missing out on health and social activities due to their lack of English language and the confidence to go out into unfamiliar areas.
The project will use Safety First Community Centre as a base but it is envisaged that they will go on social ‘adventures’ into wider Bradford and District and maybe as far as Leeds , Haworth [ Brontes] and Scarborough in order to enjoy new activities . This has been discussed and suggested by the eight South Asian ladies that have volunteered to plan and help the delivery
The project is for South Asian women, usually Punjabi speakers who are 40 years plus who live in socially isolated areas of Bradford .
Women from the socially isolated inner city areas of Bradford are missing out on health and social activities due to their lack of English language.
Social isolation – many of our community of interest live alone , are socially isolated and the majority of them do not have the required language skills to get involved in local community activity.
They feel that they are missing out on important health information and activity services.
Halifax Piece Hall visit
Halifax Piece Hall visit – Taking it easy on the train
Some of the ladies have benefited from other activities at the Centre including Arts and Crafts workshop , Christmas Party, Beginners Computer sessions , Energy Advice workshop,
Womens Health Days; Health and Wellbeing Massage and Coaching .
Many of the ladies have commented on how much better they feel and how it has improved their confidence.
Leeds Market visit
Quotes from satisfaction surveys include :
‘’When I come here it feels like I’m visiting family as everyone treats me with respect and helps me’’
‘’I enjoy coming here, I enjoy going on trips’’
‘’All staff are very nice , humble and hard working’’
‘’I like to learn new activity ‘’
‘’My favourite activity is learning English’’
‘’I like the food’’
‘’Everything is really good, staff are really helpful’’
‘’My favourite activity is meeting people’’
Leeds Market visit
The way forward
The ladies involved enjoy the ad hoc ‘GapShap’ sessions and planning for their next activity .
They have come up with fundraising ideas including a raffle at Easter and at Eid so we can continue the B-Active project even after the Active Communities funding comes to an end.
It is hope that a group of ladies continue in a voluntary capacity and keep the momentum going .
Six months into the project there are 15 ladies regularly taking part in B-Active .
We have seen a slight reduction in attendance during Ramadan however we think numbers will return to normal after Eid .
The ladies will decide when the next meeting will take place after Eid.
Most of the B-Active group also attend Entry Level ESOL classes during the week .
The group are looking to pool food recipes and make a B-Active recipe book containing some of their favourite meals and then cooking meals for the group.
The B-Active group appreciate that without the support of the Peoples Health Trust, Active Communities programme the B-Active project would be unable to go ahead.