The Manasi Foundation

Another Sunday well spent at Men on Mats X Sport England 🩵

Last weekend, we brought the Men on Mats community together for another afternoon of movement, connection and wellbeing.

The session included boxing, team games, yoga and Animal Flow, giving everyone the opportunity to try something different, challenge themselves and, most importantly, enjoy being part of a community.

What we love most about Men on Mats is seeing men of different ages, backgrounds and abilities come together in the same space. Some arrive knowing exactly what they’re doing, others are trying something completely new, but everyone is encouraged to move at their own pace and without judgement.

Men on Mats was created to provide men with a space to prioritise their physical and mental wellbeing, build connections and discover new ways to look after themselves.

And every session reminds us why this space matters.

A huge thank you to our facilitators, volunteers, partners and everyone who continues to show up and make Men on Mats what it is. 🩵

GCSE Results Day is tomorrow!

For some young people, Thursday will bring excitement and celebration.

For others, it might bring disappointment, uncertainty or questions about what comes next.

But one thing we wanted to remind young people of is this:

Your results are important, but they do not define you.

As part of our work at The Manasi Foundation, we asked members of our community:

“What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self on Results Day?”

The responses reminded us that sometimes the most valuable advice comes from people who have already navigated those moments of uncertainty themselves.

Here’s one of them from Arvin Johal:

“I’m still learning and exploring on my journey, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself!”

We’ll be sharing more of their advice this week. 🩵

Meet Ruzzain Douce 🎵 As part of our Sport England funded programme Men on Mats, we’re sharing one man’s story each month, stories that are featured in our Men’s Collective magazine.

Ruzzain is a music producer, songwriter and HR professional who is passionate about helping others grow through creativity, purpose and self-belief. His journey is a reminder that success doesn’t come from comparing yourself to others, but from staying focused on your own path.

When reflecting on the importance of patience and personal growth, Ruzzain shared: “Run your own race. Everyone gets caught up these days trying to compare themselves”

In a world driven by comparison, Ruzzain’s message is a powerful reminder that everyone’s journey looks different. Progress isn’t about keeping up with others, it’s about taking consistent steps towards becoming your best and authentic self.

At Men on Mats, we believe movement isn’t just about physical health. It’s about building confidence, creating meaningful connections and providing a space where men can grow together without judgement.

Follow along as we continue to share inspiring stories from men in our community, and join us at our next session.

🗓 30th August
📍 Derby Arena
💰 FREE – Book via Eventbrite
🤍 Community-led

📸: .hq

🚶‍♀️🌿WELLBEING WALK RETURNS 🌿🚶‍♂️

Following the success of our recent wellbeing walk, we’re delighted to announce that we’re doing it all again.

On Sunday 20th September, we’ll be heading to Darley Park for an 8k wellbeing walk, followed by music and light refreshments.

At The Manasi Foundation, we believe wellbeing should be accessible, inclusive and community-led. Events like these remind us that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is create space for people to connect, move and feel part of something positive.

📅 Sunday 20th September
📍 Darley Park
🚶 8k Wellbeing Walk
🎵 Music & Good Vibes
🎟 Tickets from £7.20 - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wellbeing-walk-with-the-manasi-foundation-tickets-1994718809656?aff=oddtdtcreator

A huge thank you to everyone who supported our previous walks. We can’t wait to welcome both familiar and new faces next month!

Last weekend we officially launched The Women’s Collective!

A new community-led programme by The Manasi Foundation, delivered in partnership with East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and Sporting Communities, creating more opportunities for women and girls across Normanton to connect, move, learn and prioritise their wellbeing.

Through The Women’s Collective, we’ll be bringing women and girls together through workshops, physical activity, self-care experiences, community activities and opportunities to build meaningful connections.

We’re incredibly proud to be a leading delivery partner for women and girls engagement projects in Normanton, and this programme is another step towards creating accessible spaces where women and girls feel supported, valued and empowered to invest in themselves.

A huge thank you to our partners EMCCA and Sporting Communities for trusting The Manasi Foundation to help deliver this work. We are excited for what’s ahead!

We are delighted to be involved with this project! Manasi will be the leading delivery partners for all Women & Girls engagement activities in Normanton❤️

What an incredible first full East Midlands Mayor’s Fund consortium meeting at Normanton Park! 🙌

A huge thank you to all the partners involved in this genuinely exciting project, which will bring together community clean-ups, education and training, health and wellbeing support, youth and family activities, events, and so much more.

This is a fantastic opportunity to create lasting, positive change across Normanton, and we cannot wait to see the difference the project will make over the coming years.

Thank you to Mayor Claire Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward and East Midlands Combined County Authority for funding and supporting this important work.

Sporting Communities Friends of Normanton Park. Al Hurraya An Nisa events Cricket Derbyshire Foundation Green Thyme Ikhlas Community Centre The Manasi Foundation Sunnyhill Community Centre Supporting Communities Walk In The Park Nursery

Our Wellbeing Walks are about so much more than getting your steps in 🚶🏽‍♀️

They’re an opportunity to slow down, meet new people, enjoy nature and take a break from the busyness of everyday life.

Whether you come with friends or on your own, you’ll always be welcomed!

Movement. Fresh air. Good conversations.

Next one: Sunday 23rd Aug!

Save the date🌿