Friends at BMECP began to emerge in 2023 with the purpose of bringing community activities for BME people back into the BMECP Centre. They had their AGM in October during a combined MOSAIC and Ageing Well Event. Their aim was to increase wellbeing and a sense of belonging for BME people and to be run by BME people. Meetings were held every Friday to get activities off the ground. There had already been a sewing group and it had fallen away so this was one of the key things they wanted. There had also been a yoga class, so this was also a focus.
Members worked really hard to find out who could teach from their communities and where we could get supplies from. TDC supported them in getting the governance off the ground and in getting bids out. By January, sewing classes began every Monday and yoga every Wednesday (both term time only). And very well attended they are too!
Representation was key as one member highlighted:
Doing work in groups: sitting, chatting and sharing, bonding and creating something, helping each other out and showing new ways to do things all creates community. Also, representation is important as this has been missing in other groups.