tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34648385124882836002024-03-13T13:01:42.051+00:00Fly Girls Wellness: Empowering Girls and Women - Blog of Amanda Epe _FlyGirlEmpowering girls, young and adult women to be active and creative for their wellbeing, to become authors and leaders of their life. Guest posts welcome.
Get in touch by email: flygirlsuk@gmail.comAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-10568059222517825272023-03-31T20:03:00.001+01:002023-03-31T20:05:40.032+01:00Celebrating & Embracing Equity<p> The Last Post<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEV3ZYacJWm7tsXx2XyJYy9xUw17MF4z5axAOcZ3c076VpZ3qK-BKZ2JX6T3pxCXsktJlvyLYkm5gKuw-dgzz-QjTugTLNkbXHryOQhz0aDFM4uAdqeY2FmkZXu3o8rfpkj228Og1xLKRTB_V3aIqeRh3wHXkrIDy6u7ZDdkAUh5JGIywvDpbG2aeW/s4032/IMG_1909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEV3ZYacJWm7tsXx2XyJYy9xUw17MF4z5axAOcZ3c076VpZ3qK-BKZ2JX6T3pxCXsktJlvyLYkm5gKuw-dgzz-QjTugTLNkbXHryOQhz0aDFM4uAdqeY2FmkZXu3o8rfpkj228Og1xLKRTB_V3aIqeRh3wHXkrIDy6u7ZDdkAUh5JGIywvDpbG2aeW/s320/IMG_1909.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">International Women's Day</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p>It's ten year this March since this blog was created to share stories for women empowerment. After ten years it is a time to reflect and even consider this post being the last post, since the posts are becoming few and far in between. The Last Post (November 2022) coincidentally mentioned <i>The Last Post</i> on sharing my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSJaTudkFGk">Flying for Britain</a> short educational film launch, where <i>The Last Post</i> was played as The Standard was raised. Blogging is a great way to disseminate information on stories, projects created and collaborating with, so it's not easy to quit this blog sphere when there's always something more to share. </p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p>March is Women's History Month and this year I've been leading on a project close to my heart called the Brent Women of Renown, a national lottery heritage funded project awarded to Cricklewood Town Team. It's been a fascinating journey getting around the primary schools to deliver storytelling and creative workshops on the suffragette movement and women in STEM on Violet Doudney, Amy Johnson and Dame Stephanie Shirley, working with inspirational teachers as well as their students. This has been a great opportunity to share women empowerment stories on change making women and seeing the impact it has on the children. As we continue to embrace equity and reflect on history we celebrate how far we have come. As there is still a way to go, I guess it's not the legacy last post???</p>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-41884098713601107972022-11-13T18:25:00.010+00:002022-11-13T18:56:24.652+00:00Remembrance Sunday - British Commonwealth Countries<p> Armistice Day - Pilots of the Caribbean & Flying For Britain</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw_Dfa5IxbUA0Y37RM4k1k_1JyZ7sbGq99WBnWHQSMFODI-5Ye5co7mo2cIIyqbgUkdDSpz_SBpGCO3ENULqg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p style="text-align: justify;">When forces join together we break new ground and take-off to higher heights. Ex-military, City Government personnel, actors, historians and other special guests where amongst the audience standing on the 17th floor of City Hall Westminster watching over the magnificent views of the grounds of Buckingham Palace where the traditional celebrations of Armistice Day took place observing the two minute silence at 11am on 11/11/2022. Following the procedure witnessed from the window view The Pilots of the Caribbean event with Flying For Britain Film Premiere began. </p><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Cllr Ellie Ormsby read The Last Post, which was played on trumpet by Roy Bilham whilst ex RAF Warrant Officer Donald Campbell and Ronald Lisa-Carew lowered the standard, before the two minute silence in-house. Peter Devitt, RAF Museum Curator delivered an in-depth seminar on the contributions of the Pilots and Airmen from the Caribbean and Africa in the Great War and WW2 to present day pilots and aviators who have served and continue to serve. Why is this breaking new ground? These stories were unheard of because they were hidden, thus these educational events are game changers and highly appreciated by the audience, where comments of being moved and emotional were expressed from the in-house audience and comments were being shared through the livestream viewers in England and abroad.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Flying For Britain: Johnny Smythe RAF Navigator and The Windrush Story <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbdSyH2mNyg">film</a> was premiered to celebrate and commemorate the lives of people from British Commonwealth countries who had served and had helped to change the face of modern Britain fighting for equity. Baron Baker played by Abdoulah M Jones was a key player in fighting against racism post world war two. Actor Abdoulah Jones and other actors in the audience were delighted by their joint efforts collaborating in great spirit to create a "masterpiece". The short educational film aims to inspire and teach the future generations of children and young people stories that haven't been shared. It was a special day for the star actor Kehziah Toussaint who felt honoured to play the son of Pilot/Navigator Johnny Smythe, Eddy Smythe and to get to meet him in person. He says it was an added bonus to meet Retired RAF Officer Donald Campbell. Eddy Smythe the narrator in the film felt that the day went very well and was very emotional.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">So who where the forces that joined together to put this event on and change history ensuring that inclusion, representation and respect is remarked. It was Loy Phillips, Officer at Westminster City Council and her team The Windrush Taskforce who have worked tirelessly on this event and other inspiring functions throughout the year celebrating Unsung Heroes of the Windrush Generation through exhibitions and library events.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The lessons and take aways of this event are immense, but what is clear is that joining together for the good for all, for freedom and equality cannot be surmounted. Legacies like these are to be remembered!</p><p><br /></p><p>#armisteday2022 #johnnysmythe #samking #baronbaker #windrush #WW2 #remembranceday #flyingforBritain #pilotsoftheCaribbean #RAF</p>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-43402026955044070872022-11-06T13:46:00.005+00:002022-11-06T13:49:05.884+00:00BLACK HISTORY IN BRITAIN - WWII<p> BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2022</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9hYAgm_VuOA" width="320" youtube-src-id="9hYAgm_VuOA"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Black History Month 2022 was about building blocks and breaking barriers to inclusion through educational events. It's been a busy month as usual where the demand for storytelling increases for both adult and children/young people's workshops. However schools and institutions are beginning to recognise the inclusion of Black History throughout the year. The highlight of my Black History Month activities was the event at RAF Marham - Aviation Heritage Centre - on Wednesday 19th October, this day was dedicated with a tribute to Justice Philip Ulric Cross. The day witnessed the unveiling of a plaque and a seminar celebrating his life in the conference room named after him. This event is an example of the building blocks to inclusion of people of colour, as Black, Asian and other minority groups have always been hidden in history.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Ulric Cross DSO, DFC was one of the most decorated West Indian Service Men of World War II, he joined the Royal Air Force and became a navigator. In June 1944 he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and in January 1945 the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in recognition of his bravery, flying over 80 sorties. Post war, Cross read law and was called to the Bar in 1949, following this he spent 16 years in Africa. He was well travelled first practicing in Ghana, then Cameroon and later became a High Court Judge in Tanzania. The plaque was unveiled by his daughter Lady Hollick OBE and GP Capt Frederick Wigglesworth. Wigglesworth Station Commander who is of African heritage felt pumped and super proud to unveil the plaque and award two veterans their WWII medals, Ralph Ottey, aged 98 and Alford Gardener aged 96 both from Jamaica.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">PO Joe Joseph RN the master of ceremonies organised a wonderful and memorable event with sounds of <i>sweetin sounds</i> steel pan, and assisted by Warrant Officer Donald Campbell (<a href="https://theforgottengenerations.com">The Forgotten Generations</a>) the medals were officially awarded to Ottey and Gardener for the first time as well as signing of The Log Book. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">This event was the cherry on the cake, but equally as sweet at the end of the month was being honoured as Best Writer 2022 in the BLAC Award RAF sponsored ceremony at Grand Sapphire Hotel on 30th October. I guess I'm going to keep writing!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">#blackhistory #ww2 #raf #flying #aviation #ulriccross #veterans </p>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-79960401934862346302022-04-02T13:44:00.000+01:002022-04-02T13:44:03.241+01:00Spring Blossoms<p>Break the bias through stories</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuf3lQVBOJTNQnW4lSqaXBYS4KUZr1WXh92bQ7fsZU4Jq1qfYXsMPUd0Immk4jqcvdWDUoVAQsQbHlkNSmsFNFelFQLwRKKjDhTYA5WxWUcELUHkdk9VnJioVL20ES1igYfISK2bRk0UuZ7oiTNLWWTQZIHMpU77SPR0u4CJxPSjTrWQ0PHT-1dClg/s1024/IWD%20-%20Willesden%20Library%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuf3lQVBOJTNQnW4lSqaXBYS4KUZr1WXh92bQ7fsZU4Jq1qfYXsMPUd0Immk4jqcvdWDUoVAQsQbHlkNSmsFNFelFQLwRKKjDhTYA5WxWUcELUHkdk9VnJioVL20ES1igYfISK2bRk0UuZ7oiTNLWWTQZIHMpU77SPR0u4CJxPSjTrWQ0PHT-1dClg/w150-h200/IWD%20-%20Willesden%20Library%202022.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">International Women's Day</span> </td></tr></tbody></table><p>March is the month for Ms Rose Blossom, it's the month of International Women's Day/Women's History Month and when this blog began, nine years ago. I've had remarkable opportunities to empower girls and young women ( boys also included) at primary, secondary schools and library centres as a storyteller and author, encouraging them to aspire higher and believe they can fly from World Book Day/Week to the month end. Sharing my own journey and other stories of fly girls/ pioneer women it was delightful to see how much of a positive impact a good story can make. I was also fortunate to be recruited on to the BBC 100 years of storytelling tour around the UK, with the aim to encourage the next generation into storytelling careers.</p><span></span><p><br /></p><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p>This blog was first published in 2013, and it's been a remarkable journey sharing stories in this virtual space and collaborating with individuals and organisations in public spaces with the purpose to encourage girls/women and young people of any gender to follow their dreams, fulfill their potential as well as motivating them to invest their energy in being active looking after their health and wellbeing. It is a collective effort to a world of equality and we continue telling stories that others have started and paved the way for us to continue. The gender equality story will end when we break the bias for a life of fairness to women, and I can envision this new dawn full of spring blossoms.</p><p>#Breakthebias #InternationalWomensDay #WomensHistoryMonth #Storytelling #Change</p>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-3361126592786253562021-12-07T00:00:00.003+00:002021-12-07T12:44:43.321+00:00Around NW with Aviator Amy Johnson<div><span style="font-size: medium;">Flying from Brent</span></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1PW7MEAdy3U/YZqjx_pAh1I/AAAAAAAABiY/JZSoB6gbu9gFH0ZFaaYaf8vvR4vemnosACNcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Sadie%2B%2526%2BAmanda%2BOliver%2BGoldsmith.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1PW7MEAdy3U/YZqjx_pAh1I/AAAAAAAABiY/JZSoB6gbu9gFH0ZFaaYaf8vvR4vemnosACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Sadie%2B%2526%2BAmanda%2BOliver%2BGoldsmith.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sadie Kempner and Amanda Epe</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="color: black; font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;">Fly Girls Wellness was awarded funding </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;">early this year, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;">from the National Lottery's Heritage Wellbeing Fund and delivery partners Brent Museum and Archives, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"> for the Flying from Brent project. From Autumn 2021, we brought back the amazing story of aviation pioneer Amy Johnson, who was the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia in May 1930. The project delivered activities for both adults and school children.</span></p><p style="color: black; font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;">Through a heritage and wellbeing walk for adults, in September 2021, we walked the pathways Amy would have taken in her time living locally and training at the London Aeroplane Club in Stag Lane. Fifteen history lovers and some flying enthusiasts turned up on a sunny Saturday morning, to walk and talk and connect with people after a period of isolation from the COVID-19 social restrictions. Led by actor and activist Sadie Kempner, we met at Kingsbury Station and walked from Kingsbury to Edgware for the first part of the walk. Sadie, dressed in Amy Johnson flying gear, had a wealth of information on the life of Amy Johnson and the local De Havilland factory.</span></p><p style="color: black; font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Using our route and material, Philip Grant of Wembley History Society has worked with us to prepare an illustrated self-guided walk document. If you want to follow this walk, "In Amy Johnson's footsteps", and get more depth on the history related to her time in Kingsbury, you can read and download the document from the Brent Archives website <a href="https://www.brent.gov.uk/media/16419753/in-amy-johnsons-footsteps.pdf">here</a>. </span></p><p style="color: black; font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-size: small;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yAIIvmswZI4/YZ1cldYWxUI/AAAAAAAABio/Q7gxvVXrXz8NGP6HoYhBWjscOHkHtWvoQCNcBGAsYHQ/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1eef.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="150" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yAIIvmswZI4/YZ1cldYWxUI/AAAAAAAABio/Q7gxvVXrXz8NGP6HoYhBWjscOHkHtWvoQCNcBGAsYHQ/w200-h150/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1eef.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Heritage and Wellbeing Walk 25/09/21</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="color: black; font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For part two of the wellbeing walk, we took bus 302 to venture besides the Welsh Harp Reservoir. This was where Amy Johnson met actress Anna Neagle, on the 1st of April 1931, for the launch of the speedboat racing season. Unknown to them then, it would be Anna who played Amy Johnson in a film about her life, ten years later. </span></p><p style="color: black; font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="color: black; font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For the younger ones, the Flying from Brent project went into primary schools in October 2021. Starting in Oliver Goldsmith, Kingsbury, children watched a short film on the life of Amy Johnson played by Sadie Kempner, who then appeared in the classroom for an entertaining time tunnel drama. The children loved going back in time, and then were given the task to write letters, as Amy Johnson regularly did to her family. </span></p><p style="color: black; font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: black; font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; font-size: small;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qarYImi2TKw/YZ1bZGaFc0I/AAAAAAAABig/YJwoQq4BiSkQBKFE0UkZtOMTbnaGXT7ygCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/Sadie%2BAJ%2BNorthview%2B9.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qarYImi2TKw/YZ1bZGaFc0I/AAAAAAAABig/YJwoQq4BiSkQBKFE0UkZtOMTbnaGXT7ygCNcBGAsYHQ/w150-h200/Sadie%2BAJ%2BNorthview%2B9.jpeg" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sadie Kempner at Northview School</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="color: black; font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The next school we moved to was Northview Primary, in the neighbouring district of Neasden. Here Sadie delivered a whole school assembly, acting as Amy Johnson. This was followed up by her directing the pupils to get into character as Amy Johnson, easing them into the creative letter writing. <br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: black; font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: black; font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: black; font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The adult audience has found this project to be most inspiring, following comments from feedback forms and on the day of the walk. It brought people together to be active through walking and mentally stimulated, learning about history through an inspiring story. </span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><p style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"></p><p style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"></p><p style="font-size: small;"></p><p style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"></p><p style="font-size: small;"></p><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />We have had fun, and it's been a great learning experience, on this opportunity to write and share local heritage. For the link to our legacy film production visit here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96P0aPz2FgM&t=0s">Flying from Brent</a>.<br /></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-48557927449254245382021-06-30T00:00:00.002+01:002021-06-30T00:00:00.190+01:00How awards can help writers growth<p>Queen's Honours Awards</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w7t7gvi7Esk/YNt_JrDgg3I/AAAAAAAABeU/xZBpXP99-SIRC4qIy04vyNFBEgqcqNNXQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1080/For%2Bservices%2Bto%2Bempower%2Bwom.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w7t7gvi7Esk/YNt_JrDgg3I/AAAAAAAABeU/xZBpXP99-SIRC4qIy04vyNFBEgqcqNNXQCNcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/For%2Bservices%2Bto%2Bempower%2Bwom.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>Reflecting on June's journey in my work of girls and women empowerment I humbly received the honour of a BEM award from the Queen's Honour birthday list, this prompted me to do a blog post to share the importance of accepting awards and why one should. Whilst working to support women and girls in the community is a vocation and not expectant of awards, there is also a joy of being celebrated and your work recognised. The Prime Minister officially acknowledges the panel's shortlisted candidates, after the government hands them over to the Queen who has the final approval. Why would one dismiss the awards under Order of the British Empire? Well, one reason Black Asian and Ethnic Minorities, BAME people do not accept these awards is because of the title being associated with empire? </p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p>Poet activist writers such as Benjamin Zephaniah turned down the OBE honours in 2010, mentioning the word Empire makes him angry and the damaging effects of colonialism. Another poet George the Poet from the London borough of Brent rejected his MBE honour in 2019 because of the connection to the trauma of imperialism. Contrary to their opinions author Bernardine Evaristo feels that writers of colour are excluding themselves by not accepting the awards, and it will limit honours to white recipients only. Much debate has been on changing the honour name from <i>Empire</i> to <i>Excellence</i>, and I feel that would be a powerful solution enabling acceptance of awards for all deserving authors, artists and activists. </p><p>Receiving awards helps platform writers in a competitive industry so in my humble opinion it is wise to accept awards if they are in alignment with my work mission. The honour awarded me for my services to empower girls and women, in my writing and community work in the UK and abroad, and I see no reason to shy away from an award, it is a symbol of an empowered woman being celebrated. However, the awards would do well to change the name from <i>Empire</i> to <i>Excellence</i>. Change is necessary always, and as we endeavour to campaign for change in school inclusion which my last two posts (<a href="https://www.msroseblossom.org/2021/06/why-race-is-major-component-of-failing.html">race and school inclusion</a> and <a href="https://www.msroseblossom.org/2021/06/why-inclusion-is-failing.html">why inclusion is failing</a>) discuss, the highest institutions could do with a change in the title in the future.</p><p><br /></p>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-72029850408403196292021-06-29T12:36:00.006+01:002021-06-29T12:43:49.559+01:00Why Race is a major component of failing school inclusion <p> Women and Writers of Colour</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WREwOZaZyGU/YNsFF5z2-4I/AAAAAAAABeM/1-m9lJa5fdwFM5vWRT4cE5HJofmSTqxmwCNcBGAsYHQ/s283/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-29%2Bat%2B12.33.04.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="189" data-original-width="283" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WREwOZaZyGU/YNsFF5z2-4I/AAAAAAAABeM/1-m9lJa5fdwFM5vWRT4cE5HJofmSTqxmwCNcBGAsYHQ/s0/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-29%2Bat%2B12.33.04.png" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WREwOZaZyGU/YNsFF5z2-4I/AAAAAAAABeM/1-m9lJa5fdwFM5vWRT4cE5HJofmSTqxmwCNcBGAsYHQ/s283/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-06-29%2Bat%2B12.33.04.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Black Books - Non-Fiction</a></div><p>Last week my blog post was on <a href="https://www.msroseblossom.org/2021/06/why-inclusion-is-failing.html">inclusion failure</a> as schools celebrated School Diversity Week, and this week gives further evidence on this matter. Not only are activists seeking to address the lack of black history in the school curriculum, but there are also findings that only 7% of women writers being studied at GCSE level English Literature, and a shocking 0.7% of writers of colour being included in the English Curriculum Key Stage 2- 4. The race equality think tank Runnymede Trust and Penguin Random House collaborated to investigate the lack of representation from ethnic minority authors and writers of colour. </p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p>In the Lit in Colour Diversity report released today, author Bernardine Evaristo wrote the foreword of the 35-page report, "Literature is a curator of our imaginations, and schools are the caretakers of our young people's education. They are currently being denied access to the glorious outstanding and often ground-breaking narratives coming out of Britain's black and Asian communities."</p><span></span><span></span><p><br /></p><p>Some of the key findings <a href="https://litincolour.penguin.co.uk/">in the penguin </a>report show that the teaching profession is overwhelmingly white. With even lower levels of ethnic diversity, a Black, Asian or minority ethnic teacher had never taught English according to 3/4 of teacher survey respondents. Over, 70% of youth survey respondents agreed that diversity is part of British society and representation should be in the school curriculum.</p><p>The insights are disturbing to know that institutions that can change the world through education and equality are failing with inclusion matters. It however should not prevent writers of colour and especially women writers of colour and even further independent women writers of colour. If a story is inside of you, there will be a time to share it, and readers will appreciate your words and work.</p><p>Allow the words of a student in 2017, Bennie Kara to motivate your writing "I couldn't find myself in any of the stories: as a student of literature I was DESPERATE to feel like I had a PLACE."</p><p>It is important that school leadership carry out the recommendations from the monumental work from PRH and Runnymede Trust, including providing support to diversify the curriculum in planning, financial resources to buy books, and readiness to speak with parents. </p>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-68964576227043720712021-06-21T00:00:00.001+01:002021-06-21T00:00:00.182+01:00Why Inclusion is Failing?<p> School Diversity Week</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0deN9HBlrg/YM8pHYCwsFI/AAAAAAAABd4/GcFtVKxsi3UQ-Puz1YyiGrlyHynNv5HfgCNcBGAsYHQ/s472/IMG_8284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="472" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0deN9HBlrg/YM8pHYCwsFI/AAAAAAAABd4/GcFtVKxsi3UQ-Puz1YyiGrlyHynNv5HfgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8284.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>This week schools work on celebrating LGBT+ & Equality and Inclusion from 21st - 25th June. Last week I posted on <a href="https://www.msroseblossom.org/2021/06/why-do-we-need-to-celebrate-autistic.html">Autism and Inclusion</a> discussing why we need to celebrate our differences. But when the week is over, things return to normal, and only when the nation has campaigns do we remember to celebrate or create changes for excluded people. This is the same for Black History Month, a time when there is a possibility for black professionals to be invited into schools to give talks, and for our history to be shared in lessons. Things have improved recently with some schools taking time to collaborate with black-led organisations. The celebrations include the start of mandatory black history as <a href="https://theblackcurriculum.com/about">The Black Curriculum</a> since June 2020 campaigned for this to be actioned, and have trained over 3,300 teachers and 3,500 students reached to date. But why is inclusion failing?</p><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a>As mentioned in last week's post, we need to change our use of language with words like "normal" therefore referring to those who do not fit inside this as the types to be excluded. When will we understand the true meaning of diversity, that we are not all created the same? Whether the differences are our cultures, ethnicities, race, and religion, or gender, sexuality each category demands equality and fairness. The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, CRED Report 2021 concluded that Britain doesn't have a systematic problem with racism, and that closure is why inclusion will be a fight-or-flight matter. The summary of recommendations from the report suggests ideas to achieve inclusivity. Recommendation 20 of the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-report-of-the-commission-on-race-and-ethnic-disparities/summary-of-recommendations">CRED Report</a> encourages making a modern Britain teaching an inclusive curriculum where independent experts tell the stories of contributions made by different groups.<p></p><p>We hope these papers are not collecting dust or in the virtual archives and the recommendations aren't simply paying lip service to the work to progress equality and inclusion.</p><p><br /></p>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-51198967528656365242021-06-14T09:38:00.001+01:002021-06-14T09:43:07.875+01:00Why do we need to celebrate Autistic Pride Day?<p> Autism and Inclusion</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLqcuvq1eKg/YMcUu0CenpI/AAAAAAAABds/y9OpG4pMS-Mzl3tEUznZ8wjFhP7DY5frACNcBGAsYHQ/s1080/AUTISM%2BPRIDE%2B2021.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLqcuvq1eKg/YMcUu0CenpI/AAAAAAAABds/y9OpG4pMS-Mzl3tEUznZ8wjFhP7DY5frACNcBGAsYHQ/w200-h200/AUTISM%2BPRIDE%2B2021.png" width="200" /></a></div><p>This year's theme for World Autism Day is "Inclusion in the Workplace: Challenges and Opportunities in a post-pandemic world." It's such an important topic, particularly because we see autism as a challenge and they rarely highlight the advantages in various institutions. I began working in compulsory education in a secondary school at the beginning of the Millenium as a Learning Support Assistant where I worked with pupils registered with special needs. From the onset in that school and in future schools and colleges I've worked in, I remarked at the high intelligence many of the autistic pupils portrayed. However, their strengths went uncelebrated. Schools focused on ensuring that mainstream pupils' exam grades put the school in good stead. Until the world unlearns to define what "normal" is, we will be forever fighting for inclusion for all people. </p><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><p>As a writing coach, I've mentored autistic students with outstanding creative writing abilities. Many of them have an excellent memory, and it amazed me at the knowledge they maintained in English Language and Literature. One trait of autistic people is attention to detail and the ability to identify errors. One of my students so meticulous in writing her book fascinated me at her level of concentration and imagination. If we can balance their strengths with their weakness, we will be more appreciative of their personality types. Students with this diagnosis can be gifted in reading at a very young age whilst others withdrawn and cannot empathize or socialize with others. In a school where pupils must be quiet and allow only the teacher to speak, we would see an autistic child who may display signs of hyperactivity as a challenge, but as I mentioned above we need to redefine normal behaviour and accept each other's differences. </p><p>I celebrate Autistic Pride Day because the students I have worked with have been an inspiration to me, their thought pattern to understand the world around them is their uniqueness. As many of them like myself prefer to write than speak, I see they can be empathetic in this way. It is through books and reading that we empathize with others, as we celebrated empathy day last Thursday. Let us now learn to empathize with people who differ from ourselves, this is the way towards inclusion.</p><p><br /></p><p>Next week's blog shares more on inclusion....</p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-84092573522636995242021-06-07T21:27:00.000+01:002021-06-07T21:30:04.859+01:00Lessons COVID taught us about technology for wellbeing<p> Pros and Cons of Digital Learning during lockdown</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gDiOnx5q3Hk/YL58D6P_3YI/AAAAAAAABdc/GWvzz6fXX80-QGIRHmA3PlC1kVib_-7MwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1080/Online%2Blesson%2BPost.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gDiOnx5q3Hk/YL58D6P_3YI/AAAAAAAABdc/GWvzz6fXX80-QGIRHmA3PlC1kVib_-7MwCNcBGAsYHQ/w200-h200/Online%2Blesson%2BPost.png" width="200" /></a></div><p>Today tech lovers snapped the latest MacBook up for those able to purchase it and add it with their other Apple products. Reflecting on the increase of internet use over the last year I thought about the national digital divide, the have's and have nots. We assume every Western household has a PC or laptop of some sort, and some are more fortunate to have this for their personal use. Unfortunately, many children and students who schooled at home during lockdown could not access their school online lessons for either not having access to their own laptop amongst their siblings in different age/class groups and or no technology at home at all. Some of my creative writing students could not continue their sessions because of this issue. With public libraries also closed there weren't any problem-solving suggestions for young people to continue their creative writing projects.</p><p><br /></p><p>The cohort of young people I work with fit under the psychographic of introverts, autistic and special needs, and some demographics show they are from economically disadvantaged communities. The benefits of working in small groups with my target audience have been to tackle social isolation and encourage community integration and build confidence with one-to-one creative writing sessions, therefore the lack of physical community workshops has been taxing on their well-being for those with no laptop at home. </p><p><br /></p><p>There were advantages of online lessons for those who had access to a laptop and internet service. Workshops and individual sessions were essential to increase participants' self-confidence and boost their creative writing and speaking skills, having not interacted for almost one year. Human contact and community is a fundamental psychological need according to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory. With the diverse learning styles of individuals, it will become normal for options to either use digital learning spaces or physical community spaces for learning.</p><p><br /></p><p>Prior to lockdown, I have mentored young people in creative writing who are homeschooling or required additional-curricular activities. As we continue to watch the unsettling work from home and homeschool situation, the online learning uptake increases for those who want to advance themselves or belong to a digital community to improve their wellbeing through communication and self-expression. </p><p><br /></p><p>There are abundant lessons taken from the pandemic, and the stories shared are ongoing. Creativity has peaked, people have found more time to write creatively and make time to journal. It has been a lesson for me to adapt to working online as a creative writing teacher and upskill with online teaching training. I look forward to furthering partnerships as a mentor with inspiring future creative writers.</p>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-42078437260960485032020-10-06T11:31:00.024+01:002020-10-07T12:02:16.544+01:00Mental Health For All <p> Reflections on 2020</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XRQthtHb1ZM/X32c0NVXs5I/AAAAAAAABZQ/3YyomFK7XhcDRKjJpJnwcQFC9B0_TW4PQCNcBGAsYHQ/s2000/WorldMentalHealthDayWorkshop2020-Flyer.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1428" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XRQthtHb1ZM/X32c0NVXs5I/AAAAAAAABZQ/3YyomFK7XhcDRKjJpJnwcQFC9B0_TW4PQCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/WorldMentalHealthDayWorkshop2020-Flyer.png" /></a></div><p>It has been an unsettling year as the world faced the pandemic of COVID-19, a disease unknown to us all. The consequences have affected health, employment, the economy, and sadly the loss of loved ones. The times of uncertainty financially and socially has increased many people's stress levels and creative arts and exercise participation has increased. Writing for the sake of self-analysis is a tested tool to help make sense of our lives and situations. This Friday World Mental Health Day 2020 under the theme of Mental Health For All, we (Jo Robinson, Anita Kelly, and myself) are hosting a writing for wellbeing workshop for a few people to come together to talk and write about the challenges faced over the last few months and how they may have surmounted the problems.</p><p>Here is the link to book yourself on to the workshop:</p><p><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/world-mental-health-day-writing-workshop-tickets-122942914567">Eventbrite</a><br /></p><p><br /></p>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-25057546610127043472020-06-24T16:23:00.001+01:002020-06-24T16:23:42.562+01:00How to improve your Creative Confidence- National Writing DayA short story during the lockdown and some tips<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lg6OHeTLCMw/XvNr95ADVjI/AAAAAAAABXA/nvi4s9vGj3Mo6fTH8z_d_k5_U9OXbDYNwCK4BGAsYHg/s1920/First%2BSteps%2Bto%2BWrite%2BYour%2BBook%2BWebinar%2BNATIONAL%2BWRITING%2BDAY%2B2020-%2BOnline%2BClass.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="176" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lg6OHeTLCMw/XvNr95ADVjI/AAAAAAAABXA/nvi4s9vGj3Mo6fTH8z_d_k5_U9OXbDYNwCK4BGAsYHg/w313-h176/First%2BSteps%2Bto%2BWrite%2BYour%2BBook%2BWebinar%2BNATIONAL%2BWRITING%2BDAY%2B2020-%2BOnline%2BClass.png" width="313" /></a></div><div><div>On this scorching morning, a collective of emerging writers arose to the sun's rays. Their minds in sync, overcoming the fear of coming out as a writer on national writing day, the hottest day of the year of 2020. They logged in to ZOOM one by one, the natural order of the day nowadays on lockdown. Stories shared, and the passion of creativity connected the participants. In suspense, we as a group of promising writers now wait to see the outcomes from today, as they churn away creating their works.</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>To sum up the short story above, it's beneficial to find your writing tribe. Joining a group whether in a public setting or online also boosts your self-assurance. Find like-minded groups where you feel comfortable to give you a kick start, and then just keep going. A blog is one of the easiest ways to share your words with the world if you are not a group member of a social media app or writing community group. Just putting it out there improves your confidence. </div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, I'm always here to take consultations for beginner writers to build their confidence in starting their book. Drop me an email for further info. I'll leave you with just three points to get you going.</div><div><br /></div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Just write</li><li>Scribble your thoughts</li><li>Know it's just a draft</li></ol><div><br /></div></div><div>Happy National Writing Day</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-23675122905452481362020-05-24T13:23:00.000+01:002020-05-24T13:27:21.746+01:00Lessons for the Write MindMental Health Awareness Week<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Writing Webinar <br />
led by Amanda Epe, Jo Robinson, and Anita Kelly</td></tr>
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The past week with kindness as a theme for mental health awareness week, my colleagues and I began the week with free delivery of writing for wellbeing webinar, as a therapy to cope with the lockdown.<br />
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An intimate group of 13 participants joined the webinar to reflect and write about their resilience in overcoming struggles in the past, delivered by Mental Health Trainer Anita Kelly. Writing workshop facilitator Jo Robinson talked about lockdown learning, what have people learned about themselves, looking at the positives, and how they have been kind to themselves prompting the writing task.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I closed the session with goal setting, looking forward to a bright future encouraging attendees to write creative, personal, or professional goals to improve themselves.<br />
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From our workshop findings and current news, there appears to be a trend in people appreciating nature, being active, and a surge in arts and creativity.<br />
Sharing interests also can inspire others in the group or remind them of hobbies to take up. Collectively there were nature trails, art, sewing, and creative writing passions among others. As an advocate in telling your story, I'd recommend this time to fuel the creative spark and write your story.<br />
If writing your memoir requires a mentor or consultation, I'm just an email away to support you in your writing journey. Contact me by emailing: flygirlsuk@gmail.com<br />
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I truly believe kindness is the norm. Kindness for Mental Health Awareness Week Viva Forever!<br />
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#Staywell and #Staykind<br />
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-76036600491797376502020-04-27T14:44:00.002+01:002020-05-07T16:57:54.692+01:00Pros and Cons of Writing a MemoirBest time to write<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xPE7v0yCPcI/XqbhPlkUtBI/AAAAAAAABTk/fZ4XVaWLShw79Taf4sLRqBBGjtR6MBY-wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-04-18%2Bat%2B18.06.25.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="975" height="237" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xPE7v0yCPcI/XqbhPlkUtBI/AAAAAAAABTk/fZ4XVaWLShw79Taf4sLRqBBGjtR6MBY-wCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2019-04-18%2Bat%2B18.06.25.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fly Girls Wellness - Writing Coaching</td></tr>
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During this lockdown period, many people find they can use their time for things they've always never found the time to do, such as more reading and writing. The <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/travel/news/best-travel-memoirs-read-adventures-21718391">Mirror</a> compiled a list of the best travel adventure memoirs to read during the quarantine period and <i>A Fly Girl Travel Tales</i> book was fortunate named number 6 on this list, yay!<br />
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Reading other authors' memoirs can surely inspire the writer in you to tell your story and start writing. Whether it's a travel tale or another significant area to reflect on, it's a grand time to put pen to paper. Here are 6 Pros and one Con of writing a memoir:<br />
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<u>Pros</u><br />
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1. The process of life writing gives creative joy.<br />
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2. The writer reflects on the past and gains more understanding of self.<br />
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3. The journey improves mental health being able to focus and boost memory power.<br />
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4. Gratitude increases with retrospective writing.<br />
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5. You become an authoritative voice in telling your story.<br />
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6. On completion of your book creation and publication, you are automatically an author.<br />
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<u>Con</u><br />
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1. You show your vulnerability and share private stories to the public.<br />
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If the downside is not that much of a threat and you can think of more beneficial reasons to write your memoir, why not get started now? You may see other advantages not listed above, share them by adding to the comment section.<br />
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Good luck with your writing!<br />
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-24616066673390749082020-03-20T15:08:00.002+00:002020-03-20T15:14:35.194+00:00Run Together : COVID-19Stay Socially Connected<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bIeMQES-to/XnTa0t78duI/AAAAAAAABS8/9KguIRq5pvAPhZKsoAF19S7aidIqU-U-ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="472" height="317" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9bIeMQES-to/XnTa0t78duI/AAAAAAAABS8/9KguIRq5pvAPhZKsoAF19S7aidIqU-U-ACNcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8284.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fly Girls UK - Stronger Together</td></tr>
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On Tuesday going on information by our governing body England Athletics and Public Health England we suspended our social meetings, run activities and so forth until April because of COVID19. It was disheartening to hear that the epidemic would cancel our meetings until further notice and social distancing is the order of the day. Our members had recently returned to join the Spring Season Sunday meetings after long-term injuries and were looking forward to exciting expeditions along the canals and further afield.<br />
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Over the years members have made friends and bonded and also made Fly Girls Wellness Sunday morning activities their routine. In the same vein, emerging writers and others who attend the writing workshops for wellbeing enjoyed the benefits of meeting each other and new people to share writing and discuss topics they write about in a trusting space. So the news of postponed activities hit everyone hard.<br />
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Some of our wellbeing groups have WhatsApp groups to inform of our activities, meetings, future workshops, and relevant information. Social media messaging can be an influx but members who wish to converse regularly during the self-isolation period are finding the sharing of video clips, updates, and guidance useful. This will be the way forward and one of the few ways to form a human connection for conversation as we are becoming remote and distant from each other.<br />
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We run together as a group but jog independently on our own paces and peer writers' work in solitude tuning into their own thoughts when writing but at these trying times we see how we need to connect and co-depend on each other.<br />
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If the opportunity is not for face to face and or in a community space, we'll all be leaning towards and relying on social media connections. It's a time like this that we see the importance of strength in togetherness, as we are told to isolate we know how much we need each other and what really is important in life.<br />
<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-61810005769041825012020-03-12T14:18:00.000+00:002020-05-02T10:13:28.148+01:00How we celebrate IWD 2020 Each for Equal with Fly Girls<br />
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We are in our favourite period celebrating International Women's Day, Week, Month and looking forward to the year 2020 for the Fly Girls Wellness project.<br />
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On Sunday 8th, International Women's Day Fly Girls be active walk & run group met for Sunday celebrations after our regular run, to share stories and have a healthy drink, it was cheering to all who took part in the Vitality Big Half Marathon, and a special cheers to three of our first time half marathoners.<br />
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Our first-timers are still smiling since the 1st March, they say running uplifts you and we know that buzz you get afterward. However, our team are feeling on a high for their achievements, Jackie a very easy going gentle paced runner had recently started training for the event and had a smashing time of 2hrs and 34 mins, running most of the race and walking the last 3 miles.<br />
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<a href="https://www.msroseblossom.org/2017/12/fly-girl-sitas-story.html">Sita</a> (a founding member of our run group) has an inspirational back story of why she had started with us, despite her blisters from running this race she's very proud (and so are we) of how far she has come. Last year many of our team entered and pulled out, this year nothing was stopping them, conquering fears and other challenges, the team encouraged each other to go for it together. The group encouragement and Sita's dedication to training prior to the race helped her to go for her goal. Now an accomplished half marathon medal holder she is truly a role model for her peers, older women, Asian women, and beginner runner women.<br />
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Tenacious Tracey another of our inspirations took the roads with determination, in 2019 she had trained, put in the long distance on the treadmill (pun intended) for the Vitality Big Half, unfortunately during training she had a bad fall and pulled out. This year with less training done before the race, Tracey was good to go, knowing that she wasn't doing this for a personal best time but to do it to say "I can". Her advice to anyone who goes through tough times "in life, we fall down but we'll get up again".<br />
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Other team members are becoming regular on this race, improving their strength year by year. Whatever goals set and the outcomes for the individuals we are here to empower each other to be active and support each other.<br />
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We were glad to engage with young people at the Brent Council Each for Equal International Women's Day event and have interested secondary school girls register their interest in joining us.<br />
A few young women where also interested in creative writing, intending to tell their own stories. The phenomenal Baroness Lola Young a key speaker at the event encouraged the audience in writing a book to make an impact to change and address issues in society.<br />
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For international women's month we've started delivering creative writing workshops in the community and noted an interest in girls/women new to writing and finding it lifted their spirits doing life writing activities on gender empowerment.<br />
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Brent, our base is the borough of cultures and this year we hope to see more writers emerge in poetry and prose to share their cultural stories in the Brent 2020 celebrations.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-15513723171651106632020-01-29T15:25:00.000+00:002020-05-02T10:14:24.694+01:00National Storytelling WeekCelebrating Multicultural Stories<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amanda Epe at Rich Mix</td></tr>
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The first of February marks National Storytelling Week, a great tool for building confidence and self-esteem<pwa class="pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="" data-pwa-dictionary-word=" ." data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="The punctuation mark '.' may require a space after it, not before. Consider moving the space." data-pwa-id="pwa-516145BD3923EDED2CB7E8EE2B9489CA" data-pwa-rule-id="WHITESPACE" data-pwa-suggestions=". ">. </pwa>We are more familiar with storytelling as a vocal art, and then as the written art. Telling is to speak to the public, the receivers of the story being listeners, similarly, readers say of tales and literature "the story is telling us..." so we can agree that storytelling is telling stories through public speaking or writing<pwa class="pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="" data-pwa-dictionary-word=" ." data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="The punctuation mark '.' may not require a space before it. Consider removing the space." data-pwa-id="pwa-F6F4B99B465B6A92A6D8B504E204BFAB" data-pwa-rule-id="WHITESPACE" data-pwa-suggestions=".">.</pwa><br />
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The mission of storytellers are to spin a sequence of events from beginning to end with an underlying message, mission, and solution. We all love to tell narratives of our own, as "everyone has a story in them," alternatively sharing other people's stories and folktales are highly popular for storytellers. We cannot define storytelling in this correct way or that way, each culture has its own version of telling. Great vocal storytelling, however, uses other art forms to make the delivery more interesting and entertaining, such as gesture and movement, and writers "show and don't tell" with their words.<span class="rangySelectionBoundary" id="selectionBoundary_1580308381745_8715806819820227" style="display: none; line-height: 0;"></span><br />
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West African storytellers, we know as highly respected Griots in their communities and villages for traveling and sharing stories an oral history using poetry and music. Throughout 2020 in Brent, a borough recognised for having a mix of abundant cultures, we will travel into multiculturalism as stories are being shared.<br />
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We kicked off with the incredible and spectacular launch of RISE event on the 18th of January<pwa class="pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="" data-pwa-dictionary-word=" ." data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="The punctuation mark '.' may not require a space before it. Consider removing the space." data-pwa-id="pwa-50786961987A0F1AD184E8F8681DAB0A" data-pwa-rule-id="WHITESPACE" data-pwa-suggestions=".">.</pwa> RISE told stories through poetry, film installations, and dance and closed with a smashing performance from the original Grime artist General Levy. Brent is the home of Rachel Yankey, Riz Ahmed, Zadie Smith, the <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Grunwick" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Unknown word: Grunwick" data-pwa-id="pwa-5F0D9C0BDA31708F8EF29FE81FEA20FE" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="Greenwich~Greenback~greenback~Greenock~Renwick"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Grunwick" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Unknown word: Grunwick" data-pwa-id="pwa-89B6A82E5E11E845D5C9D2CF74F97F20" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="Greenwich~Greenback~greenback~Greenock~Renwick">Grunwick</pwa></pwa> strikers,
legendary family businesses, famous Irish pubs, trailblazing young poets, Metroland
Brent 2020, London Borough of Culture
architects, great roads and the builders of the biggest Hindu Temple in Europe.<br />
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We are encouraging the community to write and share their stories in our workshops or through 1-2-1 coaching sessions at Fly Girls Wellness. Working with predominately Brent community for <a href="https://www.brent2020.co.uk/stories/this-is-the-borough-of-amanda/">Brent Stories</a> but spreading our wings to work with you too. Get in touch to make this year your year of being a storyteller.<br />
<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-54601409529539126472020-01-22T21:57:00.003+00:002020-05-02T10:14:24.940+01:00National Reading Day 2020Book Chat and Book Recommendations<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happier by Tal Ben Shahar</td></tr>
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At the start of the new year we set goals to do a number of things to improve ourselves in personal or professional development. One of the goals I've set over the years is to read more, did I set time aside? That's another question. A smart goal is to read a book a month especially if you are in a book club that have monthly meetings. So being in our book group it is mandatory to read at least one book a month. Within the Creative Writing Workshop and Book Group at SEIDs Hub, Wembley we discuss books that we've read and enjoyed and want to share it/them with others.<br />
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Thursday 23rd is national reading day, and a week until our next monthly writing workshop. If you haven't started reading your book for this year, tomorrow is an ideal day to start. I hope to do this, and get stuck in, to reading Happier by Tal Ben Shahar Ph.D. Our aims are to read positive and uplifting self-help genre books that can inspire others when shared.<br />
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The group meets once a month on a Thursday evening at 6pm. We start at 6:30 promptly. For more info see the flyer below:<br />
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-81243094961684939542020-01-01T10:18:00.000+00:002020-05-02T10:14:24.996+01:00The Borough of Cultures 2020All Rise<br />
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Join us for RISE- the opening event of Brent's year as London Borough of Culture on Saturday
18 January at Wembley Park.
RISE will be a spectacular family-friendly outdoor show, with a local community cast of
hundreds, telling the story of Brent through dance, theatre and projections, set to an incredible
soundtrack, against the backdrop of Wembley Stadium.
Brent is the home of Rachel Yankey, Riz Ahmed, Zadie Smith, the Grunwick strikers,
legendary family businesses, famous Irish pubs, trailblazing young poets, Metroland
Brent 2020, London Borough of Culture architects, great roads and the builders of the biggest Hindu Temple in Europe. Like Brent they
did, and do, things in their own way.<br />
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Come rain or shine, ALL RISE!<br />
Saturday 18 January 2020
Performance at 7pm
Olympic Way, Wembley Park
www.brent2020.co.uk/programmes/rise/Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-54468803188800247182019-12-22T16:20:00.002+00:002020-05-02T10:14:24.886+01:00Climbing from 2019 to 2020Time to recollect and envisage our growth<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fly Girls Wellness Pride of Brent/<br />
Fly Girls UK Sundays at Wembley Stadium</td></tr>
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We have climbed! Be it steep hills or mountains, in taking our baby steps and keeping moving we have gone from strength to strength in the Fly Girls Community and with our collaborative partner projects in 2019. We started the year on a walking mission up and down the hills of Harrow, starting from Wembley Park and taking a detour back to Wembley Park. Led by our walk leader Priti Khatri it was a cold Sunday morning on our first-morning meeting back for the year. The objective was to get some strength training in and enjoy the local surroundings especially for the members entering the Vitality Big Half Marathon.<br />
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The Vitality Big Half Marathon was a BIG achievement for the Fly Girls beginners running group. For most of us, only 2 out of 7 had previously run a half marathon, so we anticipated a daunting task ahead. It took place on the stormiest day of the year with the violent Gareth storm, still, we battled through rain, winds, spots of sunshine and hailstone, and all got to the finish line jubilating and exhausted, job done. The collective comments were that we were proud to have done this together and because of the team members, we were motivated to keep ongoing. <a href="https://www.msroseblossom.org/2019/03/fly-girls-at-vitality-big-half-london.html#more">BBC Clip of Fly Girls walking the big half</a><br />
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Also in March coinciding with International Women's Month on the homefront in Wembley, we partnered with Learning through the Arts Organisation for the 100 Years of Franchise and Equality programme, where students researched the history of Suffragettes and interviewed local politicians. Click to read more about <a href="http://www.learningthroughthearts.co.uk/projects/100-years-equality-and-womens-franchise-in-britain/">100 Years of Equality and Women Empowerment project</a>.<br />
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It really has been a year of climbing and aiming for goals for us as individual Fly Girls and collectively. We started hiking as a group in England's most beautiful county of Surrey at Boxhill. Outside of the group hike individuals independently hiked nationally and internationally. In line with our get active ethos, we supported each other through our walks and hikes, non-competitively. Being in nature in Surrey was literally a breath of fresh air and did wonders for our wellbeing. The Sunday Surrey hike also followed a weekend of wellbeing from the Mind-Body Balance weekend for mental health awareness week, delivered by AQ Arts, Supreme Self Training and Fly Girls Wellness at SEIDs Hub.<br />
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Members of our writing group at Fly Girls Forum and from our active walk-run group have reflected on how far they have come in 2019 and where they intend on going to improve their holistic health in 2020.<br />
We are excited about prospects, being creative and some of our members stepping up into leadership. We are also grateful to be recognised by the London Borough of Brent for the <a href="https://www.msroseblossom.org/2019/12/pride-of-brent-awards-2019.html">Pride of Brent Awards</a> and hope to make more impact in the year to come.<br />
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We want you to climb with us in 2020 and be in for a new decade, join us or collaborate with the intention for individual and community wellbeing, getting active and/or creative. There are many opportunities and possibilities wherever you are in the UK. Just send an email for further inquiries. flygirlsuk@gmail.com<br />
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-27715127535004131392019-12-14T21:31:00.000+00:002020-05-02T10:14:24.777+01:00End Violence Against Women Conference16 Days of Activism<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amanda Epe speaker<br />
Stop The Violence Conference NCC</td></tr>
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Keeping the conversation going days after the 16 days of activism ending on Human Rights Day December 10th is vitally important in society to end the violence against women. Commencing on End the Violence toward women and girls day 25th November the conversations focus on women's safety against sexual and domestic violence globally. On a local level in a Newman School in West London, a panel of women spoke on issues to school girls at the annual Stop the Violence conference.<br />
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As an author and leader of an empowering girls programme I accepted the guest invitation to join the panel. The panelists shared personal stories of challenges faced as women and how we were able to rise above the struggles faced. The cross-cultural panelists ranged from a number of professions to inspire the students of the possibilities of a career choice, including leaders in STEM, Banking Directors, education and the charity sector. Hard work was an ethic shared by many of the panelists, young people were also advised about avoiding any shortcuts or self-limitations because of gender.<br />
Greta Thunberg was highlighted to encourage the girls of the strength of the 16-year-old role model, despite her diagnosis of Asperges learning disability she turned the description around from disability to superpower. This is an example of the power of your words, your definition, and your story.<br />
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The Q&A discussion included the issues of sexual harassment, FGM, bullying, and violence, and students were advised to contact their safeguarding school officer and to know that confidential referral systems and help are always available to anyone in need.<br />
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Taking the first step to end the violence that a woman may experience takes extreme courage, but there is strength in not suffering in silence. In the first instance, support groups were women who support other women can be the stepping stone to speaking up and speaking out in a safe environment. Like young Greta, girls and women have the intrinsic power to define and defend themselves, and therefore change the narrative to orange the world.<br />
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-4658565867492169892019-12-05T18:42:00.001+00:002020-05-02T10:14:24.831+01:00Pride of Brent Awards 2019The Fly Girls Pride<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fly Girls Wellness being awarded <br />
by Brent Council Leaders and Mayor of Brent<br />
Leader Cllr Muhammed Butt, Mayor Cllr Ernest <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Ezeajughi" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Unknown word: Ezeajughi" data-pwa-id="pwa-62C8303221C876DB75D7987B92DCF9C1" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="Isagoge~Osijek~escuage~Askja~Escuage">Ezeajughi</pwa> <br />
and far-right Chief Executive Carolyn Downs</td></tr>
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A fortnight ago our community group celebrated being awarded the Pride of Brent at The Drum in a glitzy and glamorous event. The Fly Girls Wellness originally started as a running <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="group" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Missing determiner" data-pwa-id="pwa-7E7AD7EF0DAB457D3B3C1CA1E5A52C38" data-pwa-rule-id="DET_PREP" data-pwa-suggestions="a group">group</pwa> in 2016 for beginner runners before catering for the needs of all its members and listening to the voices of the community by adding the walking element.<br />
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When our members aren't running around Wembley Stadium on Sunday mornings because of weather or an event taking place, an organised power walking trip in and around Brent, or a leisurely Canal walk from the Canal and River Trust. This year we also began hikes and have been to the National Trust Box Park in Surrey. Outside of being active, we meet as a community, with some run members and others are not for the Fly Girls Forum, a monthly meeting for writers and book lovers.<br />
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This project has enabled women to find their tribe ("grateful to have found my tribe" Tracey), find their voice in self-expression through the writing workshops, and enabled emerging leaders in running workshops and leading walks. Novice and beginner runners also entered the Vitality Half Marathon for the first time this year and say joining this group has been life changing.<br />
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So with all their individual achievements, the Fly Girls were celebrating in high spirits on the awards night and are looking forward to more community active adventures in 2020.<br />
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We're recognised thankfully as a powerful community group, making moves in Brent and beyond!<br />
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-2247245910876779662019-08-16T15:30:00.000+01:002019-08-16T15:30:59.301+01:00Three Ways to Transform Your Health<h4 style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; white-space: pre-wrap;">It may seem difficult to lead a healthy life, but it’s actually quite simple to make a few small changes. These little alterations can quickly add up to create a healthier and happier you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; white-space: pre-wrap;">All it takes is some extra work and careful planning to get on the right track.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Know Your Gut</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every day, science is learning more and more about </span><a href="https://plexusworldwide.com/sunnyshare/trust-your-gut/understanding-microbiome-gut-health" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">how important</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> microbiomes are to our overall health, both physical and mental. When our biome, or gut bacteria, is off-kilter, we experience an array of negative effects, including weight gain, increased likelihood of cancer, a compromised immune system, poor digestion, or even the development of anxiety and depression. As such, it is in your best interest to have at least one gut-healthy meal a day.</span><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/health-38800977?ocid=socialflow_facebook" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drink</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a glass of kefir first thing in the morning, or add a fermented food like sauerkraut to your lunch sandwich or salad. Likewise, vary your dinners by introducing a side of kimchi, or start pickling your own vegetables to see the most benefit.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Move Your Body</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We say we don’t have time to exercise, but what we mean is we don’t think it’s important to make the time. Our daily lives may leave us too tired from work, or we want to focus on other things, such as unwinding with our favorite shows or cooking for the family. However, this shouldn’t be an either-or situation, as working out can be</span><a href="https://www.12minuteathlete.com/things-that-dont-feel-like-exercise/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fun</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and doesn’t need to feel like a chore or a burden. Go dancing with your partner, or take a hike with your children or friends on the weekend. If that seems like too much, commit to 30 minutes of</span><a href="https://www.prevention.com/fitness/a20485587/benefits-from-walking-every-day/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">walking</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> every day. This could be a 10-minute walk around the office building before work and then a few five-minute walking breaks throughout the day. It all adds up to improved health.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sleep Better</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not getting the right amount of sleep impacts every aspect of our lives. You may notice a lack of energy, unshakable malaise, constant sniffles, and hunger cravings that only junk food will satisfy, all of which are signs of </span><a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/sleep-deprivation/effects-on-body#1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">poor sleep</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. It’s easy to think nothing will help, but that’s a misconception. This is one area where </span><a href="https://site.eightsleep.com/blogs/news/8-simple-ways-to-improve-your-sleep" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">dedication</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> will aid us in getting a better night of sleep. Yes, you do need to go to bed at the same hour each night. No, you cannot take your phone or laptop with you and expect to sleep well. However, these things do become easier with time, and you could find yourself developing a habit much more quickly than you expect.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You may feel like there is a lot of work ahead, but it becomes manageable if you focus on doing one thing at a time. We can’t expect our lives to improve if we don’t do something to change them, but those changes don’t need to be overwhelming. After all, little steps over time can take you exactly where you want to be.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Image courtesy of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://pixabay.com/photos/fruit-smoothie-strawberry-cocktail-1448975/" style="text-decoration: none;">Pixabay</a></span></div>
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Guest post by Jennifer McGregor Public Health Library</div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-56190305146719184042019-03-31T23:50:00.000+01:002019-05-06T17:51:09.567+01:00Balancing For Better in BrentBeing Fly and a Pride in Brent<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Poet Iman Hamid</span></b><br />
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March is always a great month of celebrations for Ms Rose Blossom's fly girls projects. It is the anniversary of this blog which commenced on International Women's Day 2013. During this period collaborating with other women's projects, with individuals and organisations celebrating women is part of our major focus. One such is the partnership with <a href="https://www.brent.gov.uk/council-news/press-releases/pr6946/" target="_blank">Brent Council</a> who invited participation form Fly Girls Wellness to share and inspire other women and the community at large.<br />
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This year Iman Hamid the current Pride of Brent represented Fly Girls as a speaker. She spoke sharing the remarkable journey of her challenges and how she focused on her goals to achieve her dreams, learning was the key aspect to her achievements, this includes languages, academic study and how to self publish. Iman was a previous participant in Ms Rose Blossom/Fly Girls emerging writers workshops. She read from her deep debut book of poetry "Tears and Tea" which touched many of the audience.<br />
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We have collaborated with Learning through the Arts organisation in an extracurricular programme for Brent young people to celebrate 100 years of the franchise, the legislation allowing women to vote in 1918. This included a trip to the Houses of Parliament researching archives of the original documents and photographs on the Suffragettes' movement, research, creative art, and writing workshops.<br />
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Fly Girls running community are also feeling very proud of themselves to go from non-runners and beginner runners to participate in The Big Half marathon. On 10th March the fly girls collective headed up to the city to join 15,000 runners in a 13.5-mile run. Those who entered and others that couldn't make it all felt proud of one another and the members achievements.<br />
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In collaboration with SEIDs Hub Fly Girls wellness project delivered a taster writing for wellbeing workshop on world poetry day. Talking and using writing as art therapy the event brought Brent's women and girls together to empower each other. Not only was it intergenerational, but new connections were also made and the attendees felt uplifted, a much-needed activity to balance for better living.<br />
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It was also a privilege to be invited to Ark Academy School careers day/evening to speak with 230 students on the creative industry and social enterprise last week. It was really inspiring to listen to some of Brent's young people passionate about making changes.<br />
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We are looking forward to more collaborations in the near future and the freedom of fly girls creative expressions. Fly Girls wellness projects are making moves, creating authors, storytellers, and leaders.<br />
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3464838512488283600.post-38095118180034289192019-03-24T18:13:00.003+00:002019-12-14T21:32:25.554+00:00Fly Girls at The Vitality Big Half London MarathonFly Girls Weather the Storm<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">BBC Clip on The Big Half Vitality Run</span></div>
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Two weeks ago on Sunday 10th March a few of our team were anxious as for most it was their first ever half marathon. Fly Girls Running Community are a beginners running group that meets on Sunday mornings for a run around Wembley Stadium, ten signed up to do the 13.5mile run as a group and others separately for alternative distance runs scheduled for the day. The motivation for our team to do this was the knowledge that your peers were with you on the route, regardless of the distance you were from each other during the race. Having entered the 5km and 10km races locally and London wide the next progressive step was to try this race out, but by no means was anyone under pressure to enter.<br />
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On the day more than half of the Fly Girl entrants were able to actually run, unfortunately, we missed some of the team due to injuries and poor health. The weather with severe warnings that day didn't stop the ladies in their tracks journeying into the heart of London for 8 am meeting and checking in. The stormy weather however altered the festival plans of live music bands and performances at the festival at the finish line. At our various waves, we were off around 9am meanwhile we saw Sir Mo Farah coming back as we approached the start line.<br />
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Some of the team started with the 12-week training plan but many didn't manage the time to put the training in and those on the plan were unable to stick to it, yet despite this Fly Girls turned up to do their best, support each other, they were in it to win it for themselves and to inspire others to do this in the future. Great motivational music like the Rocky anthem boosted us at the start line, however, we ran smart and paced ourselves with the pacemakers, this strategy included power walking all the way for some of us.<br />
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The running route was scenic, having many of London major roads shut off for the participant runners. We sighted views of The River Thames, Canary Wharf Skyscrapers and many more along with acoustic sounds of steel pan bands and DJs on their sets. The music, the sights, and the sweets that were given out were an aid to make you stop and dance, stop and take a shot of a building and to stop and chomp on some jelly babies. What did make it quite tough was the Storm Gareth blowing against our direction and moving us sideways. In addition to the weather, the terrain was a challenge, we trodded on the frequent roads of cobbled ground in the city, where normally on Sundays we run on smoother concrete. <br />
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The Big Half was a community run in many respects, teams of running groups entered together, many ran for special causes, and the general atmosphere was friendly amongst different groups. Local communities of Tower Hamlets, Lewisham, Southwark and Greenwich residents were out of their homes cheering the runners on along with the amazing volunteers and staff making this event possible and atmospheric.<br />
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On that stormy day, we made it, all of us crossed the finish line, two weeks later, at today's run, we are all feeling fine! Beginner runners can if #flygirlscan<br />
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"Knowing there were other fly girls running definitely kept me going" Priti Khatri<br />
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"I'm doing this to be active and being part of a group has motivated me, I would never have thought that I could complete a half marathon" Leena `Khatri<br />
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We are thankful to New balance for sponsorship.<br />
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<br />Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11444184413292480006noreply@blogger.com1