Improving lives at Waltham Forest through sport and socialising
Female residents of Waltham Forest in east London have been benefitting from free sports sessions to promote physical fitness, mental wellbeing and encourage social interaction.
The initiative is funded by the L&Q Foundation and led by Salaam Peace, a community-based sports organisation, that serves local schools and the wider community.
With a mission to promote physical wellbeing, mental health and social inclusion, the Salaam Peace programme includes fitness sessions for women and girls’ football training.
These sessions encourage participants to develop fitness habits that support both body and mind.
Participants also benefit from:
- improved physical wellbeing: increased strength, endurance and overall fitness
- mental health benefits: enhanced mood, reduced anxiety, and stress relief through exercise
- development of friendships: our inclusive and supportive environment promotes teamwork, enabling participants to form lasting friendships and support networks
Quotes from female participants:
"I love coming out in the mornings while my daughter is doing football, it is very worthwhile of my time."
"It is great for both my mental and physical health and good for socialising."
"Made me feel a part of a community and is very inspirational. Even during bad weather, I feel excited to go especially that it continued into and past the pandemic, it was great for my mental health."
"It is the only class I have ever enjoyed going to, I keep coming back and it is good for my health. I have never been to a fitness class for so long and Giulietta is very helpful and always giving me new exercises to help my physical health."
Andrea Isip, Community Development Lead at L&Q, said:
“The Salaam Peace sports sessions have been very well-received by female residents who appreciate getting together and exercising in a safe, women-only environment.
"At the Foundation, we recognise the importance of contributing to the health and wellbeing of residents as well as providing opportunities for social interaction.
"Our place-based approach to community investment enables us to target support where need is greatest. Enabling the provision of a fitness programme for female Waltham Forest residents has been a great success story for our Foundation!”
Azi Mohammed, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Salaam Peace, said:
“Regular physical activity has been proven to reduce stress, enhance mood, and boost overall health.
"We’re particularly proud of the way we’ve created an inclusive environment where women of all fitness levels can work towards their health goals together.
"We’ve also seen mothers who bring their children to the football join the fitness sessions to stay active themselves.
"Socialising and exercising with such a wide variety of age groups creates a strong sense of community.
"These sessions not only improve physical fitness but also provide emotional support and build friendships.
“At Salaam Peace our goal is to create a pathway for people to develop their skills, confidence, and leadership qualities, empowering them to give back to their community.”
For more information on how to join one of the sessions if you’re a female Waltham Forest resident, please visit Salaam Peace or email the organisation.