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Wellbeing Project

Many refugees are isolated with little social contact. They live with extreme levels of stress from the experiences that caused them to flee their country, then uncertainty and often desperation from the many obstacles they face in the UK.

The Wellbeing project aims to bring together people living in Manchester from all walks of life to take part in sports arts and leisure activities, to improve self esteem and confidence and reduce social isolation.  

Refugee Action's Wellbeing project is part of Target: Wellbeing a programme funded through BIG Lottery Fund in ten programmes across the North West. It aims to help people achieve healthier and happier lives through projects that increase exercise, encourage healthier eating and promote mental wellbeing. Groundwork Northwest leads the programme and the 8 Manchester-based projects are coordinated by Manchester Joint Health Unit.

The project will develop opportunities through:

Jan 2009:

This year we have re-established the Wellbeing project, which has been hard work but well-recieved.

The uptake demonstrates a great need for social contact and healthy activity. It is hoped as the project develops it will give greater voice to asylum seekers and refugees and how they perceive their needs in the difficult situations they survive in.

Participants involved in the Wellbeing project have already got a lot from the project in just the first few months:

"It helps me to relax."

"It helps me to have something to look forward to."

"I get fresh air and exercise."

"I'm feeling happier/ more active."

"Being with other people, not at home, isolated."

"I feel better."

"I’ve developed confidence."

"It’s helped me to be happy."

"I feel healthy."

"It's helped me to feel fit, healthier, de-stressed."

"I have something fun to do on a Wednesday."

Project details

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