AAWAZ Preston Group
AAWAZ is a voluntary group (a registered charity) working throughout Lancashire.
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 Preston Group is the idea of the AAWAZ manager who is indeed from Preston, through her networks a number of women have become involved in helping AAWAZ Hyndburn in a volunteer capacity. These women are mainly from Broadgate, Ashton, Ribbleton and Deepdale area of Preston, they then identified the need for a Children’s activity group and sessions for women in the Preston area.
The AAWAZ Preston Group are striving to help and support the women and families of Preston and are currently developing and running various activities and events for the women and children in the community.
An AAWAZ Preston women’s group is set up and meets on a monthly basis. A regular Children’s club has been arranged since March 2007 and is successfully running on a fortnightly basis. A range of outdoor activities have been arranged and enjoyed. The important point is that it is the women (the mothers) who come together to plan, arrange and manage all the activities.
The AAWAZ Preston Events:
The “Past, Present and Future”, event June 2007
This was an opportunity to bring other women in the group and for them to learn about the AAWAZ Hyndburn group and participate in the shaping of the AAWAZ Preston group. The theme for the event was “Past, Present and Future”, structured to incorporate a celebration of the foundations that our Mothers and Grandmothers have set for us. The event was attended by the Worshipful Mayor of Preston Councillor Mrs Christine Abram. A total of 90 women attended and the event was a great success.
The AAWAZ Preston Group Family Fun-day August 2007
This was a great day to bring all communities together and learn from each other. The day was supported by Preston Area Forum and Lancashire County Council. The Funday was opened by the Worshipful Mayor of Preston Councillor Mrs Christine Abram. A total of 150 people attended.
The AAWAZ Preston Celebration
An outing to Windmill Farm attracted 20 families who all came together to have an educational and fun day out.
The AAWAZ Preston Communities Together Event, October 2008
A One- dish party was organised and attended by 68 women and 36 children in October this year. Members of other AAWAZ Groups from Hyndburn, Pendle, Chorley, Burnley and Lancaster also joined in.
It was an occasion to share the achievements of the Preston Volunteers – the mothers and the children.
Photo's from the event.
Our AAWAZ Preston Coordinator is Aisha Omer and she along with the volunteers is planning a calendar of activities for 2009.
AAWAZ Preston are very pleased to say that small pots of monies from Preston City Council, Aven Central and Lancashire County Council has helped to pay the rental cost for their venues. THE AAWAZ Preston Volunteers work hard to raise funds to continue their work.
For more information about our work please contact us at AAWAZ Access Point. |
