Virtual workshops create social connections among women in Walsall

A guest blog post by DWP Community Connectors.

Since March, we have all had to change the way we live and interact with each other. This has had a significant impact on socialising and connecting within our diverse and vibrant community.

Women who participate in the workshops are inspired to support others

We are proud that we have been able to continue supporting women through our Empowering Women’s Workshops, bringing together women from various backgrounds and encouraging them to embrace and support each other’s skillset and achieve their individual goals.

Since November, we have had to adapt the workshops for virtual delivery. This has continued to be successful in providing a network of support for women in Walsall. Following on from the workshop, the ladies created a WhatsApp group chat to stay in touch and continue to connect with each other.

I am so happy I attended the virtual sessions, it has helped with my confidence and it was great meeting ladies from different backgrounds to me and learning together how we can use our strengths to bring each other forward.

- Participant from the Empowering Women's Workshop

Ayesha is the facilitator for the Steps to Work "Motivate Your Mind" workshop.

Ayesha from Steps to Work has been delivering the Motivate Your Mind Workshops virtually since November. The workshops are designed to help with identifying anxiety triggers, teach techniques to manage anxiety and encourage a positive mindset.

In Ayesha’s words:

The "Motivate Your Mind" Workshops have provided a great platform for women that may be experiencing poor mental health to voice their experiences, thoughts, and emotions which they had not had an opportunity to do before. The women supported each other by sharing their lived experiences and were able to support each other by exchanging numbers and offering 1-2-1 support by calling each other. In my recent workshops, a participant shared her contact details and offered her support to all the participants informing them that they can contact her at any time if they need a friend to talk to. The workshops have shown how much of a community spirit there is in Walsall and how people want to support others during these challenging times. This support has given the women confidence in people and in the future.

The next Empowering Women Workshop and Motivate Your Mind Workshops will take place in January 2021. All sessions will be delivered online.