Rise and Shine is an Asian women’s group for ladies 50 plus, that has been running for 8 years and is led by Dr Sarwat Mazhar. The group offers twice weekly exercise and yoga sessions. Following an introduction by Rosanne at Slough CVS, monthly health checks and talks are now run with Solutions for Health.

The group is a lifeline for many isolated, older women, providing an opportunity to meet and mingle with other women from different faiths, celebrate their festivals and go out on organised trips such as park walks, shopping centre visits and trips to the seaside. The team also arranges IT sessions with a consultant, to help ladies with their understanding of IT and related issues.

One recently bereaved woman attended Rise and Shine where she could meet her friends and socialise, therefore reducing her anxiety and depression and the regular exercise provided by the group proved to be very beneficial for her, as she was experiencing mobility issues. At one session, the lady’s blood pressure was checked by a health professional from Solution for Health team and found to be very high. She was referred to the hospital and after treatment, her blood pressure is now under control.

Rise and Shine meet at St Francis Church Langley. For more information about the group, please contact 07877515484.