Ayfa (Health in Swahili)

We are requesting £40,000

Ayfa (Health in Swahili) Cultural Wellbeing Space

The aim of the project is to improve mental health and well-being and reduce loneliness in the community focused on a culturally Diverse appropriate approach by delivering a culturally creative health intervention for Global people. We are offering a safe space for people to come together and use creativity, social activities that would address wellbeing practice and support and enhance health and wellbeing. We hope to offer a early intervention for people suffering with anxiety and stress who are facing everyday challenges. Our activities aim to bring people together to support each other through a peer support, creativity and building resilience. We will offer a one year programme of group and 1.1 support. We will work with the following groups.

•       People living with disabilities
•       Black, Asian, and ethnic minorities
•       People on low incomes
•       People with no immigration status and people with insecure immigration status
•       People living with multiple health conditions
•       No immigration status
•      Unpaid carers

   

We are offering a range of unique range of workshops, Art Therapy, Mindfulness and Creative Crafts, social and wellbeing activities and natural body products. Healthy Living Workshops, Wellbeing Coaching music and dance. Green and Blue therapy. Decluttering and Hoarding Support. Sista Circle and Black Men Wellbeing Space. Along with signpost support and advice

We will also offer green connecting in nature in local green spaces and the opportunity to go away for a short weekend break to Camber sands to experience a breath of fresh and opportunities to experience nature in a rural environment by the sea.

In Southwark It is estimated that almost 1 in 5 adults in Southwark are experiencing a common mental disorder, equating to approximately 47,000 individuals. The prevalence of severe mental illness in Southwark is 1.4% (approximately 3,800 patients) and severe mental illness disproportionately affects male, older and black ethnic population group (Source public health)

We believe that mental health and wellbeing delivered in a creative culturally holistic sensitive approach with a clear understanding of racial trauma will improve the Confidence and self-esteem so participants can cope with daily life stress and to empower them cope in this unchanging and unpredictable times. We aim to build confidence and reduce stigma around mental health in diverse. communities by raising cultural awareness in the community and improving mental awareness around mental ill health in Diverse Global communities by various medias and workshops and forums. Topics will include Stigma, Culture Awareness for mental health, understanding anxiety, stress, depression and understanding mental ill health. Signpost support and advise.

 We will train wellbeing connecters/ volunteers to support the project. We aim to sign post support and empower our community on a journey of hope, improved well-being using and Holistic approach to take the community on a journey rediscovery and peer support to each other We will also use the five ways of well-being for this project. The people of Peckham would have access to a cultural diverse creative health intervention that would enable them to heal, improving their mental health and wellbeing. Ayfa Cultural wellbeing space will Inform, connect, teach new skills and give opportunities that would support community wellbeing mental health and wellbeing.

Afya Cultural Wellbeing Space has previous been delivered in another borough and was very successful, It well attended and made great impact in the community because it was a grassroot lead initiative for the people by the people. with alternative and holistic approach to mental health and wellbeing.

We know that our project would be welcomed by Southwark.