User Group Forum

The Women's Workshop User Group Forum was set up to encourage trainees from the Women Get Fit project to get more involved in the running of their project and the Workshop. The Forum is made up of Workshop volunteers and current and former trainees.

The forum meets every 8-12 weeks to discuss some of the issues that arise from their experiences of being on the Women Get Fit project. They discuss issues that have arisen during classes and also give suggestions for future events, taster sessions and projects they would like the Workshop to provide.

It allows women who are on the project the opportunity to meet with the staff who work on the project, to practice their spoken English and to talk with other women who are on, or who have been on the project.

So far the forum has come up with some excellent suggestions regarding future extra sessions, ranging from arts and crafts sessions, to health and welbeing sessions such as Breast Cancer Awareness, aromatherapy and pampering days. These would be provided alongside the First Aid, Confidence Building and Personal Development sessions we are looking at providing in the near future.

One of the most helpful outcomes of our running the Forum has been their input into the larger events that we plan throughout the year. The User Group has been very helpful in deciding on our afternoon events for our International Women's Day celebration on 12th March, 2009.

Helen Watling, Event Co-ordinator