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Through our work we dismantle the health and wellbeing inequalities refugees and asylum seekers in Greater Manchester face Through our work we dismantle the health and wellbeing inequalities people seeking sanctuary face اور ہم معاشروں کے ساتھ مل کر کام کرتے ہیں تاکہ ان لوگوں کے لئے مواقع پیدا کریں جو ان کی زندگی میں مشکلات کا سامنا کر رہے ہیں جو معاشرے میں مکمل طور پر متحد ہونا چاہتے ہیں۔ اور ہم معاشرتی ، معاشی ، ثقافتی اور زبان کی راہ میں حائل رکاوٹوں کو توڑنے کے لئے پرجوش ہیں تاکہ لوگوں کا معیار زندگی بہتر اور بہتر ہوسکے۔ Maternity Care We're working in partnership with the NHS, the Longside Primary Care Network and the Caribbean and African Health Network to reduce maternity health inequalities in Manchester. Find out more Wellbeing and mindfulness tools We worked with over 35 women in culturally specific groups to develop mindfulness and wellbeing tools. These resources are available for anyone experiencing difficulties to make use of them in their daily lives. Use our tools Menopause project We're creating a comfortable and friendly space for women from sanctuary-seeking backgrounds to talk about their reproductive health with GPs and medical professionals Find out more

From June to August we are working with over 35 women in culturally specific groups to develop mindfulness and wellbeing tools. We are sharing the results so others who are experiencing difficulties can learn the techniques and make use of them in their daily lives. People seeking asylum and refugees are more likely to experience poor mental health. Through our work we aim to change that. Translate this page We worked with over 35 women in culturally specific groups to develop mindfulness and wellbeing tools. We have made these resources available so others who are experiencing difficulties can learn the techniques and make use of them in their daily lives. Mindfulness Mindfulness is an ancient eastern practice which is very relevant for our lives today. It is a very simple concept. Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally. Read more Tools for negative thoughts We can all have negative thoughts from time to time, but when negative thinking takes over it can impact our mental health, leaving you feeling depressed or anxious. Our tools will help you recognise negative thinking and reset your mindset Read more Getting a good nights sleep There are many reasons for not sleeping well but it all results in feeling that we haven't slept enough - we feel tired, tense and are likely to worry about not sleeping. This worry can then make it even harder for us to sleep well. Read more Our facilitators Nikki Dehmahdi Nikki has worked for mental health services since 2013. At present, she is an assistant research psychologist for the Psychosis Research Unit in Manchester. She is passionate about supporting her local community, improving access to supportive services and reducing inequality. Chloe Lavery Hello, I'm Chloe! I'm from a working class family in Liverpool. Currently, I'm an assistant psychologist working in the NHS. Lots of my role involves supporting the wellbeing of others, and it's something that I'm really passionate about. In my spare time, I love to read psychological thrillers. My newly found hobbies include gardening and knitting. Hopefully they'll help me learn the skill of patience! Evangelia Karydi Evangelia Karydi is a Counselling Psychologist and she has worked in different settings, such as the NHS, the charity sector and private sector both in the UK and Greece. She is passionate about helping people improve their wellbeing and life. Alongside her therapy practice, she is delivering wellbeing and mental health workshops. Mika Karachaliou Mika Karachaliou, originally from Greece, came to the UK in 2008 to continue her studies in Psychology completing an MSc and Ph.D in Health Psychology. She is the co-founder of the Dragonfly Collective; a women's community, a wellbeing workshops facilitator, and a mindfulness teacher (MBSR trained) with a passion for enhancing wellness and compassion to organisations and individuals. Mika is currently training to be a Clinical Psychologist. Thank you to our funder

If we feel tired, tense and are worrying about not sleeping, it can then make it even harder for us to sleep well. Translate this page Progressive muscle relaxation Sit back or lie down in a comfortable position. Shut your eyes if it is comfortable. Begin by taking a deep breath and notice the feeling of air filling your lungs. Hold your breath for a few seconds. 1, 2, 3 Release the breath slowly and let the tension leave your body. Take in another deep breath and hold it. 1, 2, 3 Again, slowly release the air. Even slower now, take another breath. Fill your lungs and hold the air. 1, 2, 3 Slowly release your breath and imagine the feeling of tension leaving your body. Pay attention to the feeling of relaxation, and how different it is from tension. Stretch your muscles and open your eyes when you are ready. Resetting your body clock If you're a night owl and you fall asleep in the early hours of the morning then wake up later in the morning, you can take these steps for 3 weeks to reset your body clock: Wake up 2-3 hours earlier than usual and get plenty of outdoor light in the morning Eat breakfast as soon as possible Have lunch at the same time every day, and eat nothing after 7pm Ban caffeine after 3pm No naps after 4pm Go to bed 2-3 hours earlier than usual and limit light in the evening Maintain the same sleep and wake times every day "Sleep is the best meditation." Dalai Lama Multilingual downloads Urdu French Farsi English

When negative thinking takes over it can impact our mental health, leaving you feeling depressed or anxious. Translate this page Imagine you are lying on a big grassy hill. Feel the grass underneath your feet. How would the sun feel shining on your face? Imagine the feeling of a soft breeze. Listen to the sounds of birds around you. There is nothing else. Just you, the hill, and the open sky. Now, imagine that each thought you notice is a cloud passing overhead. Notice each thought as it comes up and watch it just as you would watch a cloud passing on a sunny day. You are not trying to do anything about it, not worrying about it or trying to change it; just observing it with a smile. You will begin to notice more thoughts arising. Do not do anything about these either. Just watch them come into your sky and then gently float away. Breathing in, breathing out. Thoughts as Clouds Compassionate friend Get into a comfortable position. Close your eyes and put your hands on your heart. Imagine you are in a safe and comfortable place. Now imagine you have a visitor. They are a compassionate friend - full of wisdom, strength and unconditional love. Take a few moments. Imagine your compassionate friend in as much detail as possible. Allow yourself to feel what it is like to be in their presence. Keep that in your mind for a few moments. Take a few more moments to enjoy your friends' presence. Your friend is a part of yourself. All the compassionate feelings you are experiencing flow from your own inner wisdom. “Deep down in the human spirit there is a reservoir of courage. It is always available, always waiting to be discovered” Pema Chodron Multilingual downloads Urdu French Farsi English

Mindfulness is simply a practical way to notice thoughts, physical sensations, sights, sounds, smells - anything we might not normally notice. Mindfulness is simply a practical way to notice thoughts, physical sensations, sights, sounds, smells - anything we might not normally notice. Translate this page Self-compassion break When you are feeling stressed or feel sad try to find the discomfort in your body. Where do you feel it the most? Connect with the sensations. Say to yourself: “This is a moment of suffering” “Suffering is part of life” Now put your hand on your heart. Feel the warmth and gentle touch of your hands. Say to yourself: “I will be kind to myself”. Mindful breathing Close your eyes if it feels comfortable. Bring your attention to your belly. Feel it rise gently on the inbreath and fall on the out-breath. Keep your focus on the breathing. Ride the waves of your breath. If your mind wanders, notice what it was that took you away. Gently bring your attention back to your breath. Practice this exercise for fifteen minutes every day 3-minute breathing space Sit upright. Relax. Close your eyes. Raise your chin slightly. Ask yourself: “What is my experience right now”. “What thoughts am I having” Don’t try to challenge them, just observe them. “What do I feel in my body” Turn towards any discomfort, just observe them. Now, focus on your breath. Observe your body, how it feels, as you breathe. When you are ready, open your eyes. Your mind and body are united. Multilingual downloads Urdu French Farsi English

We're looking for a data and evaluation whiz to join our team Data and Evaluation Manager vacancy Do you love to translate data into useful insights to communicate impact? Thanks to funding from the National Lottery, we're looking for a data and evaluation whiz to join our team. Location: Hybrid (Remote and In-Person), Manchester, England Reporting to: CEO and General Manager Hours: 2 days per week (flexible, to be agreed) Salary: FTE £28,275 @ 37.5 hours per week Pro rata: £11,310 (2 days week) Benefits: 11.2 days per year holiday/contribution towards pension Employee Contract to start in June 2025 Role Purpose: The Data and Evaluation Manager will play a crucial role in supporting the CEO and General Manager through the effective use of our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system by collating and presenting evaluation and monitoring data. This role will be responsible for extracting, analysing, and reporting on data to support strategic decision-making, monitor team performance, and ensure robust auditing processes. The ideal candidate will be highly organised, detail-oriented, and possess strong analytical and communication skills. Key Responsibilities: CRM Management Support: Implement a new CRM system Provide support to the CEO and General Manager in navigating and utilising the organisation's CRM system. Assist in the development and implementation of CRM best practices and data entry protocols. Extract specific data and generate reports from the CRM system as required by the CEO and General Manager. Identify and troubleshoot data quality issues within the CRM system. Potentially undertake and provide basic training or guidance to team members on CRM usage. Evaluation and Reporting: Collate evaluation data and reports generated by various team members. Synthesise information from multiple sources into clear, concise, and insightful reports for the CEO and General Manager. Develop and maintain templates for regular monitoring and evaluation reports. Present data in an accessible format, including charts, graphs, and summaries, to facilitate understanding. Identify trends, patterns, and key insights from the data to inform decision-making. Monitoring and Auditing Support: Assist in the monitoring of team processes and performance based on data extracted from the CRM and other sources. Support the CEO and General Manager in audit processes by providing relevant data and reports. Contribute to the development of data-driven performance indicators and targets. Identify potential areas for improvement in data collection and reporting processes. General Responsibilities: Maintain confidentiality and data security in accordance with organisational policies and data protection regulations. Manage own workload effectively and prioritise tasks to meet deadlines within the allocated working hours. Communicate effectively and professionally with the CEO, General Manager, and other team members. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the CEO and General Manager. Person Specification: Essential Skills and Experience: Proven experience in data handling, analysis, and reporting. Demonstrable experience working with CRM systems Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel (including data manipulation, formulas, and charting). Excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and identify key insights. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present data clearly and concisely. Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and data security. Desirable Skills and Experience: Experience in developing data visualisation tools or dashboards. Understanding of evaluation methodologies and principles. Experience in supporting audit processes. Familiarity with data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR). Experience within the Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise sector Personal Attributes: Proactive and self-motivated. A logical and methodical approach to work. Ability to learn quickly and adapt to new systems and processes. Professional and discreet manner. Positive and collaborative attitude. To Apply: Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter or a video explaining why you want the role and outlining your relevant experience and suitability for the role to magdalen@afrocats.org.uk Closing Date for Applications: 23rd May 2025 at 5pm Interview dates will be set

Join Afrocats as our Freelance Marketing & Partnerships Lead! Are you a creative communicator with a passion for building powerful connections? Afrocats is looking for a dynamic and experienced freelance Marketing & Partnerships Lead to elevate our voice, grow our network, and spotlight the impact of our work. If you're proactive, strategic, and thrive on collaboration, we’d love to hear from you. Marketing and Partnerships Lead vacancy Join Afrocats as our Freelance Marketing and Partnerships Lead! Are you a creative communicator with a passion for building powerful connections? Afrocats is looking for a dynamic and experienced freelance Marketing and Partnerships Lead to elevate our voice, grow our network, and spotlight the impact of our work. In this exciting role, you’ll shape our external presence, crafting compelling digital content, managing our marketing strategy, and forging meaningful partnerships with schools, funders, corporate allies, and community organisations. You’ll be at the heart of our mission, helping us tell our story and expand our reach in bold and innovative ways. If you're proactive, strategic, and thrive on collaboration, we’d love to hear from you. Reporting to: CEO Managing: Social media freelancer, volunteers if and when needed Main Contacts: General Manager, Data and Evaluation Manager, Project producers, Development Manager, Project beneficiaries, Partners and other External Agencies Location: Hybrid (Remote and In-Person), Manchester, England Hours: 2 days per week (15 hours per week) Fee: £18.50-£20 per hour depending on experience Freelance Contract to start in July 2025 Overall purpose of the role To support the CEO with promoting and showcasing Afrocat's work. Managing the marketing strategy and delivery of core marketing tasks. Key Responsibilities: 1. Partnership Development & Management: Identify, research, and cultivate new partnership opportunities with corporate organisations, educational institutions (schools), community groups, and potential sponsors. Develop and nurture relationships with existing partners to foster long-term collaborations and support. Support the CEO in securing donations and sponsorship for Afrocats' projects and programmes. Represent Afrocats professionally at external meetings and events, with a focus on building connections across Greater Manchester and the Northwest. 2. Marketing and Communications: Manage and update the Afrocats website, ensuring content is current, engaging, and reflective of our activities and values. Develop and implement social media strategies to increase engagement, reach new audiences, and promote Afrocats' initiatives across all social media networks. Create visually appealing and on-brand marketing materials and digital assets using design tools like Canva. Liaise effectively with the internal Afrocats team to gather content, understand project needs, and ensure consistent messaging. Produce compelling marketing plans tailored for specific projects and programmes, from conception to delivery. 3. Strategic Engagement: Actively participate in discussions to align marketing and partnership efforts with Afrocats' strategic goals and vision. Contribute to raising the profile of Afrocats within Greater Manchester and beyond. Essential Skills and Experience: Proven experience in corporate partnerships, donations, sponsorships, and/or school partnerships. Demonstrable experience in managing website content and updates. Strong proficiency in social media management for organisational promotion. Proficient use of Canva or similar graphic design tools for creating marketing assets. Experience in producing marketing plans for projects or programmes. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively. Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders. Highly organised, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines independently. A proactive approach to problem-solving and identifying opportunities. Desirable Skills and Experience: Experience working within the arts, cultural, or non-profit sector. Familiarity with the cultural landscape and community networks in Manchester. Working Arrangements: Afrocats has a virtual office, with the core team of freelancers and paid staff meeting every other Monday online. The remaining hours (flexible evenings, etc.) can be worked remotely, in one of our hot desking spaces or "out and about" for partner meetings. Ability to be flexible with working hours to accommodate partner meetings or events. To Apply: Please send your CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and why you are interested in this freelance opportunity to info@afrocats.org.uk by 30th June 2025 at 12noon.

We are seeking artists who are passionate about community and bringing people together. We are open to all forms of arts and craft artists. This could be painting, dance. collaging, zine making, murals and more. Pause 'Building Stronger Communities Together' Artist vacancy We're looking for 5 artists from North Manchester who are passionate about community and bringing people together to work on our latest project, 'Building Stronger Communities Together. Are you an artist based in North Manchester? Is your art related to arts and crafts? Are you a dancer, painter, do murals, zines, collaging or more! Have you facilitated workshops before? Collaborated with community members creatively? If you answered yes then this is the role for you! Funded by Manchester City Council, Building Stronger Communities Together aims to bring different organisations that support the community together and through creative sessions find a common ground and a sense of belonging. Download the job pack Fees The pay will be £150 per day (2 hour delivery plus planning). There will be between 4 to 5 workshops in May and 4 to 5 workshops in June, a total of either 8 or 10 workshops. Key Dates Application deadline: Monday 12th May 5pm Workshop dates: May sessions (dates to be confirmed) June sessions (dates to be confirmed) Exhibition at Whitworth in June (date to be confirmed Homecoming showcase in North Manchester (date to be confirmed) Please let us know any dates you cant do in May and June in the email with your application. How to Apply If you would like to apply, please send your CV along with links to your work and a short cover letter no more than 400 words to fowsia@afrocats.org.uk the cover letter should include what makes you interested in this project. Please use the subject line below when you apply: – BSCT Artists Application (Name) If you have any questions about the role, please email fowsia@afrocats.org.uk

We are looking for a passionate and creative filmmaker and Editor who can create two short films capturing the community engagement and creativity that will be explored by community members across North Manchester 'Building Stronger Communities Together' Filmmaker and Editor vacancy We're looking for a filmmaker and editor to create two short films capturing our Building Stronger Communities Together project. Are you a Filmmaker based in Manchester? Do you love to conceptualise and craft compelling stories? Arfe you skilled at portraying diverse emotions and experiences that resonate with different audiences? Have you got experience of engaging with diverse individuals, listening attentively to their stories and perspectives, and reflecting them authentically in the film? If you answered yes then this is the role for you! Funded by Manchester City Council, Building Stronger Communities Together aims to bring different organisations that support the community together and through creative sessions find a common ground and a sense of belonging. Download the job pack Fees The pay will be £250 per day, rate can be negotiated depending on experience. There will be 5 sessions or engagements to attend in May and 5 sessions or engagements to attend in June, a total of 10 sessions. Key Dates Application deadline: Friday 2nd May 5pm Workshop dates: May sessions (dates to be confirmed) June sessions (dates to be confirmed) Exhibition at Whitworth in June (date to be confirmed Homecoming showcase in North Manchester (date to be confirmed) Please let us know any dates you cant do in May and June in the email with your application. How to Apply If you would like to apply, please send your CV along with links to your work and a short cover letter no more than 400 words to fowsia@afrocats.org.uk the cover letter should include what makes you interested in this project. Please use the subject line below when you apply: – BSCT Filmmaker and Editor Application (Name) If you have any questions about the role, please email fowsia@afrocats.org.uk

Creativity and culture can be a powerful way to build resilience and confidence for people from a sanctuary-seeking background We develop projects and strategic partnerships so the women we work with can immerse themselves in the arts, culture and creativity. تخلیقی ثقافت دسمبر 2020 سے لے کر فروری 2021 کے آخر تک جی ایم بام نیٹ ورک (جی ایم بامین) کا شکریہ ، ہم انٹرایکٹو ڈرامہ اور شاعری سیشن چلا رہے ہیں مزید تلاش کرو Afrocats x Whitworth Through our strategic partnership with The Whitworth we are reimagining how the gallery connects with local families in a more accessible, inclusive and equitable way Find out more تخلیقی ثقافت دسمبر 2020 سے لے کر فروری 2021 کے آخر تک جی ایم بام نیٹ ورک (جی ایم بامین) کا شکریہ ، ہم انٹرایکٹو ڈرامہ اور شاعری سیشن چلا رہے ہیں مزید تلاش کرو

Afrocats deliver creative movement and fitness sessions to give women seeking asylum a break from their daily stressors Women caught up in the asylum system often, if not always, experience immense amounts of stress, anxiety, depression and trauma due to the isolating and uncertain nature of the circumstances. ​ We work with our partner Women Asylum Seekers Together using exercise and movement to help provide relief from stress. "آپ کے چہرے پر بڑی مسکراہٹ آنے کے بغیر مگدالین کے بارے میں بات کرنے کا کوئی راستہ نہیں ہے کیونکہ اس کی توانائی اور جوش و خروش صرف متعدی بیماری ہے۔ وہ 100 committed کو یقینی بنانے کے لئے پرعزم ہے کہ اکثر غیر سنائی آوازوں کو واضح طور پر سنا جاتا ہے ، اور اس جذبے ، دیانتداری اور مہربانی کے ساتھ کام کرتا ہے جو اس کے آس پاس کے سب کو متاثر کرتا ہے۔ مگدلین کی دیکھ بھال کے تحت پہلے ہاتھ سے حصہ لینے والے افراد کو ترقی کا تجربہ کرنے میں بہت خوشی ہوئی اور ان کی اپنی صلاحیتوں اور سوشل نیٹ ورک کو آگے بڑھانے کے لئے ان کی مدد کی جائے گی۔ سارہ ہساک ، منگنی منیجر - مانچسٹر انٹرنیشنل فیسٹیول Read our blog No posts published in this language yet Once posts are published, you’ll see them here.