CONNECTING THE WOMEN OF WALTHAM FOREST

During this pandemic, many individuals have worked very hard and put their lives at risk to provide a high level of care and services to their communities. Waltham Forest Women's Network (WFWN) and Noorworks had colloborated and created some online sessions for key workers and women in the Borough of Waltham Forest throughout June and July. We had 5 sessions and over 150 women had registered to take part.

The sessions involved discussing how the pandemic had impacted a person’s life and give the attendees a confidential place to share their stories and feelings.

With the first 4 sessions being dedicated to care workers and key workers, we did our final session, on the 22nd of July dedicated to all the women of Waltham Forest. During this session, we had almost 50 participants, who thoroughly enjoyed the session. Mahnaz Bhatti, from Noorworks facilitated the event and began with a calming, soothing video which helped the attendees to relax before the session started.

After this, we began our discussions where every participant took part in answering and discussing our thoughts and feelings during this pandemic.

A highlight for many of the attendees was the ability to share their stories of how they’ve dealt with this difficult time. Many have found a positive light to this pandemic where they’ve gained a new found love for technology, others have embraced the time that they can spend with their families. However, many women also shared how lonely it can get and how worried they feel about leaving their homes but being able to discuss this through Zoom in safe space, with other women, has made them feel a lot more confident that they are not alone.

At the end of the session, Mahnaz shared a beautiful poem by Dorothy Oger:

“If I were a virus

I would be sunlight in your face

For your smile to spread

Many happy days

If I were a virus

I would be trust in your heart

So you would feel safe

And save us from harm

If I were a virus

I would be your sharp unfocused eyes

To see, through the dirt,

All the beauty in the world

If I were a virus

I would be the joy in your dance

And the warmth in your voice

That would make us stand

If I were a virus

I would be gold in your hands,

And the flow of well-being

That leads us to awesome

If I were a virus

I would be your reminder

To transmit in your hellos

The sovereignty of love.”

We hope to host many more of these sessions.