Written by Active Cumbria
Active Cumbria supports the Panah programme providing support and resources by shaping and co-designing projects and initiatives to increase physical activity opportunities within the groups for the participants. The progamme is funded through Sport Englands Together Fund.
A six month programme of activities for Refugee and Asylum Seeking women.
Aim
To invite a group of women on a shared journey; a structured programme aimed at inspiring, healing and promoting holistic well-being by connecting the women with their new county through the environment; the natural surroundings, the people and the communities, all while respecting their own individual roots, traditions and journeys.
The creation of this project has been directly informed by a refugee and her experiences of integration in a new and foreign community. Mina has found her relationship with the city of Carlisle has changed as a direct result of finding the support and confidence to explore the area on foot and try different activities that would support her mental and physical health. The speakers and demonstrators noted in this project are identified by her as informal opportunities to empower and inform the women in areas of their own health and well being. These talks will be conversations that will allow for women participating to discuss and explore actively.
Weekly activities will be delivered through the winter months and into the spring when social isolation can be compounded and opportunities for physical activity more limiting.The weekly sessions run on rotation, with each session occurring 6 times and therefore amounting to a duration of 6 months.
March 2022 update
The Panah project is growing from strength to strength. The group has been actively reaching out to refugees and asylum seeking women by making contact with ESOL tutors, the resettlement team and Carlisle College wellbeing hub. A recent International Women's Lunch welcomed all women who have been involved in Panah or were interested in finding out more. Just under 40 women from all around the world attended sharing food and stories - a truly wonderful event.