Fitness and Wellbeing

REF works to eliminate inequity in sporting opportunities and participation levels in physical activity for ethnic minority people across Wales, especially women and girls. We run physical activity and sport sessions in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Wrexham in North Wales.

We set up these activities as our beneficiaries suffer from the highest health inequalities due to lack of participation in sport and physical activity. This is often due to cultural, religious and language barriers. This was confirmed by the data collected and analysed in July 2018 that gave the following results from the registration forms of 760 beneficiaries from our MEEA Project:

  • Of beneficiaries had type 2 diabetes 60% 60%
  • Were diagnosed at a stage where they were at greater risk of related complications 60% 60%
  • Were fluent in English 20% 20%
  • Were aware that type 2 diabetes was preventable 15% 15%
Project Aims

Research has found that BME women and girls aged 17 to 44, especially Muslims, suffer from the highest inequity in sport. We address this lack of participation in sport and physical activity by providing activities which eliminate barriers due to culture, religion and social backgrounds and by encouraging them to take regular physical activity or participate in sport.

Key Activities
  1. Swimming club
  2. Walking group
  3. Yoga
  4. Netball
  5. Ramadan Sport Project (once a year)
  6. Girls Football
  7. Butetown Fitness Group
More information

For more information contact Roon Adam at :

roon.adam@raceequalityfirst.org.uk or by telephone on 029 2048 6207.

REF Activities running throughout the week.

Day Activity TimeVenueFor Who?
Monday
TuesdayUPNA Exercise12:00 – 14:00Mackintosh Residents Community CentreWomen of all ages
WednesdayButetown Ladies Fitness17:30 – 18:30PavilionWomen of all ages
Thursday
FridaySwimming session19:00 – 21:00FitzalanhighThe whole family
Saturday
Sunday

Walking group09:00 – 11:00WalesWomen of all ages
Day Activity TimeVenueFor Who?
MondayBadminton12:30PM - 2:30PMPillgwenly Sport CentreIsolated men
TuesdayDostana (tackle isolation and loneliness)10 – 12AMCommunity HouseIsolated men
Citizen circuit training2 – 4PMFour Seasons churchWomen of all ages
Wednesday50+ exercise and lunch club10AM – 1PM

St Mary Church50+
Social Group 12PM- 2PMPill Millennium CentreBAME communities
ThursdayAdvo Cafe11AM – 1PMIqra MosqueThe whole family
Coffee and Laughs1 – 3PMCommunity HouseThe whole family
Sewing/Knitting1 – 3PMCommunity HouseLadies of all age
One-to-One advice3:30 – 5PMCommunity HouseAny Age
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Day Activity TimeVenueFor Who?
MondayTaster Boxing4:45-5:45EYST10-25
Zumba12:00-1:00City ChurchWomen Only
TuesdaySelf Defence4:30-5:30YMCAOver 18
ThursdayWorkshops11:30-1:30SBRECMixed
Swimming
(£3.50 Fee)
20:15 - 21:45Leisure CentreWomen Only
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Swimming
Every 2 weeks
(£1 Fee)
3:00 - 4:00Morriston Leisure CentreAny age group
Day Activity TimeVenueFor Who?
Monday
Tuesday
ThursdayMove and sing + Happy Choir01:00 – 03:30

Wrexham Methodist Centre
Friday
Saturday
Sunday