AAWAZ Lancaster Group
AAWAZ is a voluntary group (a registered charity) with a main base in Hyndburn and a sister group in Lancaster.
The name AAWAZ means voice in Urdu and we believe that we are the voice of Women in Hyndburn and Lancashire. We are women volunteers working for the benefit of Asian and other women of the local communities. We provide support and work towards assisting individuals with their self-development to improve their chances to integrate into wider society and to improve the lives of future generations.
AAWAZ firmly believe that women play an important role and it is vital that we should work with women to improve their education, employment, health and housing to assist them to improve the lives of their families. We believe that ‘home is the whole world and that the very first academy for a child is the mother’s lap’. If the mother is well informed then the lives of families would be improved.
The AAWAZ Lancaster is the most recent addition in our family of Sister Groups.
The AAWAZ Manager has been helping women and families in Lancaster for the past twelve months, following an article about AAWAZ’s work in the Lancashire County Council’s “Vision” Paper some of the Lancaster ladies contacted AAWAZ and asked to meet together and decided to become AAWAZ Lancaster.
AAWAZ Lancaster have no formal funding and all our activities are undertaken by Volunteers.
AAWAZ Lancaster brings specific benefits to the City of Lancaster and the setting up of the group has been welcomed by many of the local Councillors:
* AAWAZ Lancaster as a well-organised women’s group, can give advice, guidance and work with agencies on wider issues in the city.
* AAWAZ Lancaster can work together to unlock the potential and encourage local communities to actively engage and participate in the local issues.
Launch of AAWAZ Lancaster
AAWAZ Lancaster, a community organisation working with women from minority ethnic communities, held an event at Lancaster Town Hall on Wednesday, August 27th. Attended by over 100 women, mainly of Asian heritage, and Lancaster City Councillors and Lancashire County Councillors, participants at the event heard about AAWAZ Lancaster, what had led to its development and why it is needed.
Saeeda Farooq, Chair of AAWAZ, welcomed everyone to the event, which she described as a “getting to know each other event”. Mrs Farooq particularly welcomed members of AAWAZ Lancaster and said that: “AAWAZ will work with you to help you help yourself. This is very much the ethos of AAWAZ group to help women build their confidence and to assist them in giving a voice so that women and families can go on to help themselves thus doing away with a culture of dependency”.
Manager Zulekha Dala gave a background to the AAWAZ group and talked about the benefits of having AAWAZ in Lancaster said, “AAWAZ welcomes women from all backgrounds and communities”. She also thanked Apple Tree Nursery and the Boy’s Club for their support and said: “We look forward to developing our partnership working with groups in the area.” AAWAZ Lancaster has now been working with women and families in the Lancaster area for the past 15 months and the present members of AAWAZ Lancaster are currently planning activities for the coming months. Bilkis Banu Patel asked the local officials present for support for their work to enable women from minority ethnic communities to become involved in AAWAZ; to break down isolation and access opportunities, such as training, education and employment and personal support. AAWAZ Lancaster’s Honorary Guardian member Mrs. Zubeda Chandia wished AWAZ Lancaster well and expressed her view that AWAZ Lancaster will flourish and go on to help many women and families in the area.
The evening also included talks by AAWAZ members and the AAWAZ Lancaster younger women’s group about their lives, their hopes, their achievements and their aspirations. Young AAWAZ Preston and Hyndburn members recited poetry in English and Urdu The evening concluded with a raffle and a meal prepared by members of the Lancaster group.
AAWAZ Lancaster is working towards:
» Developing a self help ethos -To help people to help themselves
» Assisting women to develop their self confidence, and help with personal development
» Working towards integration
» Helping community cohesion and bringing people together to create a better understanding
» Focusing on the needs of Asian heritage Women and families
For more information about our work please contact us at AAWAZ Access Point. |
