Karibu African
Women's Support Group
When Karibu
African Women's Group contacted us asking for a Nintendo Wii for
their Ipswich-based group, targeted at improving quality of life
and reducing health inequalities for black, minority and ethnic
women, we were really intrigued.
Chantelle Welham, Health Champion Coordinator
working with the group tells us how the idea came about.
“I was aware that there are dance games available for the
Wii that incorporate African dance and Bollywood. I thought, what a
great way to get people exercising, informally, if they’re not
very confident or if they have special attire that prevents them
from exercising.”
I'm learning how to maintain my health with excerise and a balanced diet.
Lara Uzokwe, a volunteer Health Trainer, set the group up from
scratch and is delighted at how the Wii encourages people to join
in.
“I think the participants get enjoyment from
watching other people dancing to the Wii: it lifts their spirits to
see others enjoying themselves, and gradually they want to join in
themselves.”
An eating education
Karibu are also into healthy eating
and gardening. Frank Clarke, a qualified cookery teacher, has been
helping them whip up some delicious Caribbean cuisine. Mixing lots
of herbs and spices, Chef Clarke creates heart healthy, yet mouth
watering vegetable soup and steamed Tilapia fish with scrumptious
salads of spiced sultanas and carrots.
Jabeen Mughaa, 54, is one of the participants
and says the best thing about the project is “learning how to
maintain my heart health with exercise and a
balanced diet.”
For a Help a Heart
Grant application pack, you can:
For more information on any of these projects,
or on how you can help improve heart health in your local
community, contact the Help a Heart Grant team on 0207 554
0396.