On Wednesday 21 August 2024 Asha took 150 women and children as well as 6 staff members to Knaresborough Viaduct and Lakeside. This was an opportunity for women from diverse backgrounds to have an experience which would in turn help to promote community cohesion and help strengthen community relationships as well as to foster a sense of pride within the community.
Knaresborough is known for its stunning natural beauty including the River Nidd which gave the families an opportunity to experience and create memories with their children during the summer vacation.
Asha received positive feedback from most people who took part. Our service users said they enjoyed the community trip and it gave them a sense of belonging, with many saying they were grateful to the Leeds councillors and Community Committee helping older and younger women from different backgrounds and races to come together to reduce isolation and improve well-being by going on this trip.
As an organisation we are trying to break the traditional thinking and barriers that women still face. Asha is committed to making a safe space for all the women in the community. The trip was open all women regardless of age, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, belief or sexual orientation.
Asha works with women and children who live in Beeston Hill, one of the poorest areas of Leeds. We include equality in the services we provide and work with other organisations to promote community cohesions through local events and educational trips. We bring together women from the diverse faith and ethnic communities to break down barriers and build friendships so that we can work together in the future to improve our community. We want to promote good relations between different communities hence the community trip.
The trip provided a safe place for women and children to engage and experience things they may have never got the chance to do otherwise. Participants were able to go on boat rides, walk on the riverside with picturesque views which included the historic castle ruins with panoramic views and there was the museum to enjoy.
Knaresborough was very family friendly and our service users had the opportunity to engage in family activities with their children which included, picnics and sitting in cafes. Families were also able to visit Mother Shipton’s Cave that had a variety of activities for children of all ages and others visited the local market displaying local goods.
This post was written by Tahena Ahmed
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