TWENTY of our members enjoyed an overnight stay at the Waterfoot Hotel on Friday and Saturday (November 15 and 16) as part of a women-only residential.
Funded by Bank of Ireland, the residential was a component of our ‘Working Together for Better Health, Better Care and Stronger Communities’ programme.
After getting to know each other, the women began their break away with dinner followed by a relaxing Myofascial Release class delivered by Louise Carey and Laurie Schneider at Embodied Pilates Studio.
After an early night, Saturday began with a highly informative workshop from Clare McLaughlin and Mary Crumley of Derry Credit Union Ltd. They facilitated a session on budgeting, money-saving strategies, borrowing and understanding credit scores.
In the afternoon, Michelle Major from The Sunshine Project delivered a fantastic programme focused on women’s mental health. Topics included managing stress, identifying triggers and relaxation techniques, as well as meditation, relaxation and Laughter Yoga.
The feedback from the residential has been brilliant with participants describing it as an interesting, relaxing, informative and helpful experience, said Aynaz Zarif, who helped co-ordinate the weekend on behalf of the North West Migrants Forum.
“It was a lovely opportunity for everyone to get together and get to know each other,” she said.
“The Myofascial Release class set the tone for the residential which was designed to help participants relax and have a bit of time to themselves.
“Clare and Mary from Derry Credit Union joined us on Saturday morning and delivered a really useful session on the work of the Credit Union and how to manage our money so we get the most from it.
“And later in the day we had Michelle from The Sunshine Project who helped bring things to a very calming close through meditation, stress-management tips and Laughter Yoga which was hilarious.
“All in all it was very successful residential and something we can hopefully do again in the not too distant future.”
THANK YOU
Aynaz Zarif added that the North West Migrants Forum wanted to thank the staff of the Waterfoot Hotel who made our members feel very welcome and who looked after the party so well.
“Thank you as well to all those who delivered workshops and classes. We all arrived home not only relaxed but more confident and better prepared for dealing with our finances and with the various challenges life tends to throw up.
“And thank you as well to photographer Marie McGrellis for capturing the day on camera.
“We also owe a debt of gratitude to Bank of Ireland for funding us and for recognising the value in what we do.
“Events like this are what the North West Migrants Forum is about – engagement, empowerment and promoting positive mental health, social inclusion, integration and good community relations.”