We’re delighted to welcome the Vandan Group as a member of Forum Central.
The Vandan Group serves older people from the Gujirati community who live in the Burley area. It is for women who are aged 18 upwards experiencing mental health issues and isolation at home.
The women meet weekly at the Cardigan Community Centre. It is facilitated by women who are volunteers and have experienced mental distress. The group is open to Hyde Park, Burley and West Leeds.
The group has the following aims:
- To provide a supportive and safe environment.
- To create a friendly and non-judgemental atmosphere.
- To provide therapeutic sessions that promote wellbeing, raising self esteem and
confidence. - To show respect to each other; to listen to each other and to give members opinions
in how the group evolves.
Many members are living with more than one long-term condition which makes them clinically vulnerable and more susceptible to viruses and infections. Throughout the pandemic, the Group has raised awareness of Covid-19 amongst its members and run online sessions with many different topics about staying safe. All of the sessions were delivered in the women’s own languages and helped people learn new skills, meet their friends and family virtually and keep connected to their community.
