Ethnic Minority Centre emc ethnic minority centre

Yoga Get Set Get Active
Exercise Class
Dress making
Walking activity
Cycling activity
Sewing Class
Sewing Class
Zumba

Introduction

The EMC has been active in the London Borough of Merton since 1989 and its aims and objectives have always been “to bring the communities together, build community cohesion and improve the quality of lives of the BAME communities living and working within the London Borough of Merton” and neighbouring boroughs.

What We Offer

Mental and Physical Fitness 2023-24

EMC Free Talk, Yoga, Zumba, Art, Dance, Pilates, Cycling and Swimming activities

Every Tues, Wed, Thurs, and Fridays From 12.00 pm to 2.00 pm.

Yoga Tutor: Indi
Dance Tutor: Thiru
Talk by weekly guest speakers

Funded by NHS Health Equality

Exploration of Creative and Fun Maths

EMC is running free Exploration of Creative & problem solving maths for more than 6 years. Classes are for beginners age 7 to 14 & Intermediate 8 to 18 years age. Also Maths and Science enrichment workshops are held weekly. These classes are on held online, funded by Clarion Futures.

Empowering Young Mums

EMC strongly believes that by educating and empowering just one person in a family especially mother about healthier living, you are also helping the other members of that family.

Feeling Good Club

We support people by encouraging discussion on common interest issues, offer opportunities for meeting and making new friends, and organise events. We also provide advice and assistance on benefits, health, domestic violence and racial harassment.

Help for Racial Harrasement & Domestic Violence

EMC provides help and support to the victims of Domestic Violence.
•   EMC maintained 100% confidentiality.
•   Don’t suffer any more in silence.
•   EMC members are very committed to deal with any case professionally.
•   EMC works and refers to highly-trained and appropriate agencies.

Welcome to May-June 2024 Newsletter

The Ethnic Minority Centre Ltd (EMC) has been active in the London Borough of Merton since 1989 and its aims and objectives have always been “to bring the communities together, build community cohesion and improve the quality of lives of the BAME communities living and working within the London Borough of Merton” and neighbouring boroughs.

Mission Statement
Building and serving a diverse community to promote understanding, tolerance and acceptance of all cultures.

EMC currently provides the following services free

Fitness Made Easy

EMC’s Bowling on Monday at 4.00pm at Vestry Hall (52 weeks). Bowling is done in a group; it gives people a break the social interaction needed to decompress and improve mental well-being. This exercise is an important part of a balanced lifestyle. There is a low impact option that’s easy and enjoyable. It is also keeping emotionally/physically healthy & happy.
Funded by Merton Council

Cycle project for non-cyclist women starting on Thursday 23^rd May 2024 (10 weeks), 12.30pm to 3.30pm at Canon House Ground. Cycling is benefitting in a positive way. The EMC found in previous cycle project sessions they were a lifeline for attendees who had been confined of four walls after covid lockdown, and many felt it was an open door to the outside world. The sessions can be uplifting, encouraging and confidence building.
Funded by Green Social Prescribe – Merton Connected.

10 weeks Swimming Session on Friday, “Developing Strength and Balance” , To help improve your physical, mental, social, and emotional wellbeing. Date: 23rd February 2024 to 7^th May, Time: 11am – 12pm at Canon Leisure Centre Mitcham.
Funded by Southwest London Integrated Care System (Merton ICB)

15 weeks Keep Active Swimming Session on Friday “Developing Confidence”. To help improve physical, mental, social, and emotional wellbeing”. 7th June to July 2024, Time: 11am-12pm, at Canon Leisure Centre Mitcham.
Funded by: Merton Giving Civic Pride Small Grants

Chair based gentle exercises and Pilates (20 weeks) on Tuesday, 12.30pm to 4.00pm followed by talk, knitting, refreshments. Improved Health both Mental & physical. To address isolation issues that many of the senior members are still suffering post Covid. Encouraging social interaction.
Funded by NHS Health Inequalities (ICB).

Online Zumba (20 weeks) on Friday 5.00pm to 6.00pm (Empowering and Motivating attendees to continue to look after their health and wellbeing.).
Funded by NHS Health Inequalities (ICB).

Walk & Soft Exercise (12 weeks) Morden Hall Park. More people have signed up for our different classes as they know EMC is well known and popular organisation and has a good reputation, provides free services. There is unfortunately many who are having a bad time at home not looking after themselves as the cost of living is so high, not going out or doing healthy activities as they can’t afford lessons or gym memberships. Our reaching out into our communities has given them a good opportunity to improve their health & wellbeing.
Funded by NHS Health Inequalities (ICB).

Yoga on Tuesday starts on 4^th June (20 weeks) in person at Mitcham Library.
Funded by NHS Health Inequalities (ICB)

EMC’s Digital Inclusion Session on Monday at Vestry Hall from 11.30am to 1.30pm.
Funded by Clarion Future Digital Inclusion (30 weeks)

Online Exploration of Creative Maths and Puzzle Mon, Tue, Wed & Thurs (On going).
EMC’s most popular and successful project from 2015 funded by Clarion Future. Initially, we identified this need around young people, their level of educational attainment, interest in and enjoyment of mathematics/ Science/art, with many young people saying that maths/Science is their least favourite subject whilst at the same time recognising how important it is as a subject and GCSE for their future careers. This project approaches maths/science in a fun and engaging way to encourage/develop skills that can be applied in the classroom/in general day to day life.
Funded by Clarion Future.

So far, we have:

20 people online Zumba
30/35 Pilates at Mitcham Library
30 so far have registered for Yoga.
30 for walking and exercises
25 attendees for swimming
22 attendees for Indoor Bowling
20 attendees for Digital Inclusion
35 children for Exploration of Creative Maths.

242 people are benefited from Ethnic Minority Centre (EMC) Services each week.

Other EMC Events

Outing: Educational Excursion to Greenwich Observatory for Maths children on Saturday 13^th July 2024

Annual Event – Exploration of Creative Maths and Digital Inclusion Certificate Presentation Ceremony on Thursday 18^th July at Vestry Hall.

Trip to Hastings (date to be notified soon).

Maths and Science Enrichments Project for 10 weeks, (7 weeks online and 3 weeks in person at Mitcham Library starting in September.

Work Experience Placement ongoing from 10^th June.

Advice and Information on different issues and referral services.

Next project is Creative Art and Science workshops (date to be notified.)

For registration, please email to EMC ethnicminority@btconnect.com or call 02086480084

______________________________________________________________

A Message from the Chair of EMC Mrs R. Ahmad

The EMC is very happy to report that our ongoing and new projects 2024 are proving to be very popular; we are all going to be very busy this summer.

As always, I must say a big thank you on behalf of myself and the trustees to our funders, Staff and our very dedicated and hard working volunteers who support the EMC and work so hard to ensure its continued success and how much we appreciate the time and commitment that they give us.

We are always happy for people who would like to volunteer to help us at any of our events, if you think you can spare a few hours now and then contact Sabitri Ray you will made most welcome.

Raihana Ahmed

EMC currently provides the following services free

Fitness Made Easy

Published on 12 Jun 2024
Author: EMC Admin

Monday: Digital Inclusion Session at Vestry Hall from 11.30am to 1.30pm

Monday: EMC’s Bowling starts on Monday 22^Nd April at 4.00pm at Vestry Hall.
(Bowling is done in a group; it gives people a break the social interaction needed to decompress and improve mental well-being. This exercise is an important part of a balanced lifestyle. There is a low impact option that’s easy and enjoyable. It is also keeping emotionally/physically healthy & happy).

Tuesday: Chair based gentle exercises and Pilates from 12.30pm to 4.00pm followed by talk, knitting, refreshments.
Improved Health both Mental & physical.To address isolation issues that many of the senior members are still suffering post Covid. Encouraging social interaction.

Mon, Tue, Wed & Thurs – Online Exploration of Creative Maths and Puzzle
EMC’s most popular and successful project from 2015 funded by Clarion Future. Initially, we identified this need around young people, their level of educational attainment, interest in and enjoyment of mathematics/Science/art, with many young people saying that maths/Science is their least favourite subject whilst at the same time recognising how important it is as a subject and GCSE for their future careers. This project approaches maths/science in a fun and engaging way to encourage/develop skills that can be applied in the classroom/in general day to day life.

Thursday: Cycle project for non-cyclist women, 12.30pm to 3.30pm at Canon House Ground. Starting in May 2024 (Date to be notified soon.)
Cycling is benefitting in a positive way. The EMC found in previous cycle project sessions they were a lifeline for attendees who had been confined of four walls after covid lockdown, and many felt it was an open door to the outside world. The sessions can be uplifting, encouraging and confidence building.

Friday: 10 weeks Swimming Session, “Developing Strength and Balance”
To help improve your physical, mental, social, and emotional wellbeing.
Date: 23rd February 2024 to 7^th May, Time: 11am – 12pm at Canon Leisure Centre Mitcham. Funded by Southwest London Integrated Care System (Merton ICB)

Friday: 15 weeks Keep Active Swimming Session
Developing Confidence to help improve physical, mental, social, and emotional wellbeing.
Date: 7th June to July 2024, Time: 11am-12pm, at Canon Leisure Centre Mitcham
Funded by: Merton Giving Civic Pride Small Grants

Friday: Online Zumba, 5.00pm to 6.00pm
Empowering and Motivating attendees to continue to look after their health and wellbeing.

Advice/Information on Health and housing issues, Domestic Violence, Organizing overseeing multi-cultural awareness, music, dance, art events encouraging integration of diverse communities.

Yoga will start 14th^h May (20 weeks) in person at Vestry Hall

Walk & Soft Exercise to start 8^th May 2024 (12 weeks) Morden Hall Park.

More people have signed up for our different classes as they know EMC is well known and popular organisation and has a good reputation, provides free services. There is unfortunately many who are having a bad time at home not looking after themselves as the cost of living is so high, they are not going out or doing healthy activities as they can’t afford lessons or gym memberships. Our reaching out into our communities has given them a good opportunity to improve their health & wellbeing.

So far, we have: