Volunteer-led organisation Khush Amdid, based in Tameside, received £3,910 from our GM Mental Wellbeing Small Grants programme to host a range of workshops for local women from communities experiencing racial inequality. They aim to empower, educate and support these women to live their lives to the fullest.
They are based in one of the most deprived areas in Tameside which faces barriers including high unemployment, low education attainment and language barriers.
What do they do and why:
Khush Amdid support women who experience barriers to mainstream opportunities and facilities due to being unable to speak English, low confidence and a lack of education. Due to a lack of opportunities many of these women become disadvantaged and isolated.
They provide mental wellbeing activities including a luncheon club, wellbeing groups, trips and events to reduce social isolation and increase confidence in women - giving them experiences and skills they wouldn’t have had otherwise.
They regularly consult the women they support as well as the wider community on the type of activities they would enjoy and the issues they face.
What did they deliver with the grant?
Khush Amdid received £3,910 to host a variety of workshops including crochet, knitting, arts and crafts and Bollywood dancing, as well as arts and crafts sessions that included painting, basket weaving, and face painting. They also held a community-wide Eid celebration on Thursday 25th April 2024 where they had a range of activities including henna and hand massages.
Tasneem Shahzad, Community Development Worker at Khush Amdid, said:
“I know that we would not have been able to put on as many sessions as we have without the funding we received from (GMCVO). We have consulted with women from the local area and have tried to arrange sessions that they want and need. We keep a balance of fun, enjoyment and information sessions so they get the best out of the sessions. We have incorporated local walks every three weeks and have two Zumba sessions coming up. These sessions are essential for the mental health and well being of many local women who are isolated or worried about joining in due to language barriers. We are looking into ways of continuing this support once this funding ends. Khush Amdid would like to thank you all for your help.”
What impact did the funding have?
The workshops supported the women to gain confidence and connect with other members of their community. Khush Amdid provides a welcoming space for the women to come together, share knowledge and support each other. The sessions were also a chance for the women to find out more about the support, opportunities and events on offer in the local community.
One woman spoke about how she had been attending Khush Amdid events for almost six years. She started attending their sessions and events following the devastating loss of her husband. She spent two years in shock, and was diagnosed with depression which also impacted her physical health. Attending the groups gave her a space to relax and get out of the house, improving her mental health. She noted that, “if I didn’t come here I would be in bed killing time on my phone”.
The women also spoke about how they are able to bring along those they care for, meaning they could attend without worrying about providing alternative care or missing the sessions.
Another women spoke about how the sessions give her purpose to leave her house and meet people in the community: “I would just be sat in front of the TV if I wasn’t here”.
Looking to the future, the women are looking forward to the warmer weather when they can start to do more outdoor activities.
Find out more about the GM Mental Wellbeing programme here.
