Redbridge Mayor’s Annual Family Fun Run will take place on Sunday 2nd April and a section of the borough’s elderly community is set to benefit.
The Disabled Asian Women’s Network (Dawn) provides services for older women with disabilities at its Cardinal Heenan Centre, High Road, Ilford, and is one of three charities which the mayor, Cllr Gurdial Bhamra, has chosen to support.
“We’ve been here for the last 23 years,” said Neelam Pahl, project worker for Dawn.
“There was a demand for services for elderly and disabled people but there was nothing, we were the first in Redbridge and never looked back. There is still a demand, this is shown through our members – 73 attend on Wednesday and the same number again on Thursday.”
Neelam says Dawn has reacted to social changes – one of which is the issue of isolation among the elderly. “They are more isolated because their families are all out working, it has affected them. That’s why we are thinking about bringing counselling in because there’s a lot of mental health issues springing up, like anxiety and depression.”
Dawn offers a range of services, from dementia support to days out, but the most important aspect, for Neelam, is that it provides a place for members to enjoy themselves in the company of others.
“We have professionals come in to give talks about health and social welfare, we do yoga, meditation, arts and crafts and cultural activities. It’s like a busy hub for elderly Asians, they are a very happy, jolly lot. I think a lot of our members forget they are disabled.”
The Family Fun Run will take runners, and walkers, on a 5k course which starts and finishes outside Redbridge Town Hall.
Competitors are encouraged to collect sponsorship either for the Mayor’s Charity or for a charity of their own choice.
The run begins at 9am. Entry costs £6 with concessions for families. To take part go to http://bit.ly/2mWu4Q3.
