Our previous projects had successfully built confidence among Syrian women, allowing them to practice English and bond with local women through shared cooking activities. Elevate provided the perfect opportunity to expand these efforts and address health inequalities in our community.
Our Elevate project had two main components: enhancing the inclusion and integration of Syrian women into the community, and continuing community development through outreach activities.
• Integration and Inclusion
The first component involved more opportunities for Syrian and local women to share cooking skills and go on outings together. This fostered understanding and built stronger bonds between the groups.
• Community Development
Footprints in partnership with Colin Surestart has opened a Social Supermarket at Mount Eagles Community Centre, located in the Colin Neighbourhood. This relatively new housing development has a high percentage of working parents and young families who have been greatly impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. Access to the Social Supermarket and using the mobile kitchen to demonstrate nutritious, low cost dishes, will contribute to addressing the existing health inequalities and reduce isolation.
The impact of our Elevate project was significant, benefiting both the women involved and the broader community. We provided food demonstrations, nutritional talks, and tasting sessions. These activities, along with recipe packs and cooking together, helped participants learn about healthy eating. One participant shared, “Food is a great vehicle to help people relax and open up conversations. Cooking together, eating, and supplying ingredients to get people cooking healthy recipes is a great confidence-boosting, social participation tool.”
The project included a farm visit, which provided a unique learning experience for the women and their children. The visit also fostered connections with the local farming community, enhancing mutual understanding and appreciation. The trip helped Syrian women feel more integrated and confident, considering social factors and activities beyond their immediate language and financial constraints.
The Social Supermarket initiative and cooking demonstrations at Mount Eagles Community Centre supported local families during the cost-of-living crisis. By addressing health inequalities and reducing isolation, we made a tangible difference in the community. The project also benefited local businesses, such as the Belfast bus company and Glenside social farm, by fostering community relationships and cultural exchange.
The Elevate mentoring programme enabled us to network and make valuable connections with other groups, enhancing our community development skills and increasing our confidence in addressing health inequalities. The guidance and support we received were instrumental in the success of our project.
Having taken part in the Elevate Programme, we plan to continue and expand our initiatives:
• Ongoing Integration Activities
We will provide more opportunities for Syrian and local women to interact through cooking and social outings, fostering deeper integration and understanding.
• Expanding the Social Supermarket
We aim to enhance the Social Supermarket initiative, reaching more families and addressing health inequalities through nutritious, low-cost food options.
• Building Community Connections
We will continue to connect with other community groups, sharing knowledge and resources to tackle health inequalities effectively.
