We believe that physical activity groups can help enrich people’s lives and provide strength to communities through making new connections that provide much needed support. One such group is African Families in the UK (AFiUK). They have adopted an asset-based community development (ABCD) approach to help to bridge the gap between families, agencies and practitioners, and anyone who works with children or young people voluntarily, in supporting them to become more effective in what they do.
Insects and Birds photography is run by AFiUK in collaboration with Stop the Traffik. The aim is to get people to walk and take photos in nature across Colchester and encourage people to become physically active, make new friends, and gain a greater understanding of what is available for free in their neighbourhood. The women who attend are encouraged to use their own phones to take photos and given guidance on how to download them on to a computer, to make a book of their findings.
Miss W.G who has a one-year-old baby and lives in a flat, was approached by one of the AFiUK Community Ambassadors who found out that she felt disconnected and isolated. She was enrolled into the Local Delivery Pilot (LDP) funded Zoom exercises run by the Bangladeshi Women’s Association Essex group, and when lockdown ended, she attended the walk and photography sessions in Colchester Highwoods Park.
Miss W.G was experiencing burnout and the walks became a great early intervention before things got worse. She shared; “The walks get us outside in the fresh air and allow my child to hear the voices of other people who join in and play with the other children. My child used to cry a lot, and I was so stressed, but I now feel more relaxed.”
The aim of the weekly group is to increase physical activity levels and improve mental wellbeing. Walking has always been a lifestyle choice for ethnic minority women and now AFiUK are coupling it with nature. Stop the Traffik and AFiUK enrolled 11 Uhuru Ambassadors who are volunteers in the local community, raising awareness on issues such as modern slavery, domestic abuse and forced marriage. Many women who attend the sessions feel isolated and experience poor mental health due to these issues, and the insects and birds’ photography walks, have raised their spirits and allowed them to voice their issues in a safe space.
Attendee Joyce shared: “Our walk in Highwoods Country Park was such a wonderful time to get out and enjoy nature, get some fresh air in our lungs and reap the benefits of exercise. It was also good to spend time together, to enjoy laughter and good conversation after a year of isolation due to the Coronavirus. It was definitely a day well spent.”
In the first 20 weeks, 178 adults and 43 children attended the walks, however more people are signing up to become members. If you are interested in joining the growing group, then please visit: https://www.afiuk.org/
