Strengthening Communities

Bangladeshi Women's Association Essex (BWAE)

Women’s Fit and Fun Project

A lifeline for the Colchester Bangladeshi and Muslim community, the BWAE empowers Bangladeshi women and their families by offering culturally sensitive activities, health services, social support, and educational opportunities, aiming to enhance access to services and promote their wellbeing.

The Women’s Fit and Fun project aims to offer women-only exercise sessions, providing a friendly and culturally sensitive environment at a local Community Hall. These sessions ensure that participants' ethnic, cultural, and spiritual beliefs are respected, and any language barriers preventing participation are addressed.

Who's it for?

Bangladeshi women and families

Prime objective:

to offer female only exercise classes in a safe space

Second objective:

to reduce barriers to physical activity and healthcare services

A lifeline for the Colchester community

Over time, the relationship between Active Essex and the BWAE has gone from strength to strength, and the project occurred due to London Marathon Foundation through the Find Your Active Small Grants programme.

The project involved older women in the community through seated exercises and engaged middle-aged participants with Zumba and yoga sessions.

unique adult participants attended the sessions

physical activity sessions took place

95%

of women were inactive before the start of the initiative

This project has significantly impacted the women involved, as many had previously refrained from exercising due to cultural factors. The women-only sessions provided a culturally appropriate environment with a female tutor and suitable clothing, encouraging participation. As a result, many women who hadn't exercised before reported improved physical and mental health.

I didn’t exercise at all because I wasn’t comfortable with attending mainstream sessions. I enjoy these sessions that are female only, female instructor, I can wear cultural clothing and enjoying meeting lots of women. My health is so much better doing regular exercise that I have reduced my medications. My mental health has improved. Without these seasons I would not have had the opportunity to do physical activities.

Participant

Next Case Study:

Headway Essex