The women of Haringey came together to celebrate and educate themselves about their mental and physical health.
On 24 October, Empower Her Haringey Women’s Collective (EHHWC) and Sewn Together: Empowering Creative Communities (SWECC) celebrated their second annual Whole Life Cycle Summit (WLCS) at Chestnuts Community Centre.
The summit featured a panel of female guest speakers and organisations promoting environmental, physical and emotional well-being.
Sonja Camara, a Haringey resident and co-founder both EHHWC and Sewn Together, said: “I want every woman, regardless of your age, your race, your background or your social status, to know that they can make a difference.
“I say all the time, ‘Get into the frame and change the picture.’”
The summit featured a balance of practical workshops, guest speakers, panel discussions and stalls hosted by organisations advocating for women’s health and well-being, and brought together women from a wide range of diasporas and age groups.
Alma White is the founder of AW Wellness Studio, a women-only fitness studio, and was a stallholder at the the summit.
The 30-year-old from Tottenham said: “It’s really inspiring to see so many women in the community coming together and sharing about women’s health.”
She also discussed the importance of workshops and shared learning.
She said: “I think it’s a big part of it. Not only do you attend workshops, but you also share knowledge with other women.
“So we can keep the education going forward.”
Helenma is a cancer survivor and works in the London Borough of Haringey’s Smart Travel team, which creates opportunities for people to explore the borough and improve their health.
The 57-year-old, from Enfield, said: “I think, being a cancer survivor, it’s very important to know that nutrition is important and not take life for granted.”
She attended the summit to promote schemes that encourage participants to stay active through cycling programmes and walking maps.
The summit was funded by the North London Waste Authority (NLWA).
Lydia Ison, 30, a Hackney resident and outreach engagement officer at the NLWA, commented on the event.
She said: “I just think it’s really nice to witness people coming together, sharing their knowledge, sharing their experiences.
“Everyone’s experience is different, and being in a safe space where people feel like they can talk about [their experiences] is important.”
Sewn Together, co-founded by Sonja Camara, empowers women through a multi-craft and conversation group that meets every Tuesday from 12 noon to 2 pm. The group was founded eight years ago.
Women learn new sewing skills in a group setting, helping to combat loneliness and social isolation.
Empower Her Haringey Women’s Collective, co-founded by Sonja Camara, hosts the annual WLCS.
Featured image credit: Sydney Conteh
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