Caritas Shrewsbury work with children, families, communities and parishes to build stronger, supportive communities wherever there is current disadvantage.
One way in which Caritas Shrewsbury supports the needs of refugees and asylum seekers in Manchester is the Well Project, launched in 2017. Within this Project is the Well Women’s Group, running every Friday at St. Aidens Centre, Wythenshawe, 12-2pm.
Women who attend the group are empowered to lead, organise and plan future sessions, in turn building on their confidence. The welcoming and warm environment helps the attendees to find company, friendship and feel safe.
Examples of sessions the women take part in include cooking, cancer screening education, resin and craft making, Henna and much more. Caritas provides the venue, materials and volunteers to help run the sessions. The group receives referrals off several partners in the local area and is well embedded into the local community, for instance, being part of a partnership of groups called ‘Women of Wythenshawe’.
Also within the Well Project are ESOL sessions which run on Tuesday’s 12-2pm at St. Aidens centre, Wythenshawe. Here There are opportunities to learn basic vocabulary, conversational English and cultural exchange. These sessions are supported by volunteers with previous teaching experience.