Tucked away behind the glossy office blocks and soaring skyscrapers of the City of London sits Mansell Street housing estate.
It’s a close-knit community: the estate is one of the Square Mile’s few residential areas, and it houses a significant proportion of the 8,000 people who call the City home.
On the first Wednesday afternoon of every month, the Mansell Street community becomes even closer, as the women of the estate and nearby areas meet to catch up, deepen friendships and learn new skills.
Many of the older women were quite isolated... I wanted to support their community and give them some more things to do.
Setting up support
Launched by Age UK City of London around 10 years ago, Mansell Street Women’s Group was created with the aim of reducing isolation for older women living within the Square Mile.
“Mansell Street is a predominantly Bangladeshi estate,” explains Alice, Age UK City of London’s founder and sole staff member. “And it’s one of the key demographics in the City, so I really wanted to work with the people living there. I also knew that many of the older women were quite isolated – they don’t all have the best English language skills, and many of them spent years bringing up their families but now the children have grown up and moved away. I wanted to support their community and give them some more things to do.”
Rahima, who works part-time as an adviser for Age UK Camden, was brought on board to deliver the group’s sessions bilingually, in both English and Bengali. Every month, she creates get-togethers centred around an activity, which is often something the women have requested. “Each year they have a list of things they’d like to do, so we try to deliver all of that,” says Rahima. One of the most popular has been a series of healthy cooking sessions, where the group learned how to make a variety of nutritious meals and desserts.
“We also do awareness-raising activities,” Rahima continues. “When the cost of living crisis began, we had talks on how to save energy and how to compare prices. It’s about increasing knowledge, because a lot of the group didn’t know that they can shop around for energy suppliers and save a lot of money.”
In these sessions we take the time to be together and enjoy it.
A reason to meet
Today, the women are making cards to give each other in celebration of the upcoming Muslim holiday, Eid-al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. Colourful card designs are being drawn out against a background of contented chatter.
“I’ve known some of the group for about 40 years,” says Habiba, a regular attendee. For Habiba, and for many of the women who attend the group, the sessions are a chance to strengthen existing friendships.
“It gives them an opportunity and a reason to meet,” Rahima explains. “There’s a purpose for them to come. There have been times when attendees have postponed medical appointments just so they don’t miss a session.”
As if to prove the point, Rina, another frequent visitor, shares that she just cut short her phone call with a relative in Bangladesh to ensure she wasn’t late to the session. “We need this,” says Rina. “We’re at home a lot, but then we come here and meet each other – our friends and neighbours. In these sessions we take the time to be together and enjoy it.”
The joy of new experiences
In addition to monthly get-togethers like this, the group meets for a weekly exercise class and occasional excursions to places of interest, with recent trips ranging from Hyde Park to a fruit farm.
“My favourite trips have been our trips to the seaside,” says Rina. “Every time we go somewhere different – Southend, Brighton, Margate or Portsmouth. I swim for hours and enjoy it a lot. I tell everyone to come along!”
Whether attendees are swimming in the sea, trying out their Zumba moves or learning new cuisines, Rahima has seen for herself how each new experience makes such a difference to every woman in the group. “The sessions are so good for their mental wellbeing and their physical wellbeing,” she says. “I try to make it as fun as possible, and they’ve learned a lot.”
Alice agrees. “They really value this group. And it’s lovely to give them the opportunity to do things they wouldn’t have the chance to do otherwise.”
Find social activity groups near you
Each local Age UK has its own unique timetable of clubs and classes.
