Our Way Our Say
This charity works in the largely deprived area of Southward in Weston Super Mare. It was set up in response to the closure of youth clubs in and around the area and the resultant effect that this had on local families as well as the whole community. It established activities for younger children on three days of the week, and set up intergenerational projects to benefit young people alongside older people living both in the community and in care homes.
The Allen Lane Foundation agreed a grant of £8,125 to Our Way Our Say in June 2019. The funding is to run the ‘Finding the Real You’ project – this is an extension of a pilot project for women in the area. It is hoped that up-to 40 women will benefit over the year. Beneficiaries are likely to include women from the Travelling community, women who are victims of domestic violence, and women with other issues such as poor mental health or who are living in poverty. The project will offer a weekly session at the YMCA building – it will include access to the gym, and include a healthy lunch, and aims to help the women with whatever needs and issues arise. This could be assistance with preparing CVs and job applications, providing emotional support, or just providing a safe space for them to talk together and share experiences. The sessions will offer opportunities to learn new skills and the chance to share existing skills and knowledge with each other thereby raising the women’s self-esteem and sense of worth.
