New exercise class - I'm a bit miffed.

It's not racist to simply ask for a class in your locality. its total common sense for your own community

But "they have it, why shouldn't we?"

Ask the Council and just explain your situation. Nothing racist about it.

Are the classes being funded by a Nepalese organisation? That might explain it? They may be subsidising free classes for British attendees so that they can have paid classes in their own language.

The exercise classes I go to are for people referred by a GP only, but we still have to pay £30 a month to do them (standard Leisure Centre membership fee). I'm not sure whether people on benefits get them free, but they are not offered as such. I know that rooms in the Leisure Centre can be hired by private groups, so wonder if that's what's happened with the Nepalese ones.

Sorry, missed a bit out

"have managed to come to the UK (which was their right) after the good work Joanna Lumley did"

My feelings are strong, because surely we are aware that most of the Nepalese women will be from the small number of Gurkha families who have managed after the good work that Joanna Lumley did?
If the wives haven’t been in the UK for long, and are older, maybe elderly,

then do we really begrudge them some help in an atmosphere they feel they need, in terms of both understanding our health system and finding out more about how diet and exercise can help them

Free from feeling all the things they cant do, which currently may include a sparse knowledge of English?

Phone whoever is actually giving the course, explain your situation (transportwise) and ask if you possibly could come even although you are not Nepalese.

If the instructor only speaks Nepalese, then this might not be possible, but it can do no harm to ask.

Have I misunderstood this? if there were classes for English people only, wouldn`t some term that racist?

One has to think practically about numbers of places etc. One small group - funded accordingly no doubt - simply could not take all the extra people. I really cannot see what the problems are with specialised groups, they come in all shapes and forms, and the most important thing is learning self care to stay out of hospitals, and each special needs groups have their own priorities.

I just find a "why should they get it approach so negative.
here you go as to getting funding - as its a well trodden path and I'm sure would be welcomed by local GP surgeries and other primary care providers..

www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=getting+funding+for+a+local+wellness+group&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

Fingers crossed indeed this can work out.

Goodness knows it would be a good idea for British people to also be able to get a place on courses - quite apart from any discrimination from British people not being allowed. Reason being these Nepalese women would have a chance to speak to a British woman that is prepared to help them to learn English in order to integrate better. It would be a good opportunity for them - from someone who knows that she's not necessarily expecting them to speak English. To me = win...win.....she gets her exercise...they get a chance to practice English.

I generally think its better to sound a positive note.

As this group of local residents are aging, but not in contact enough with mainstream health (because of not knowing or not understanding how important exercise and other health basics as we get old - language and culture differences to aging)

.....It saves the NHS money for older people to have healthy lifestyles - prevention is better than later crisis intervention and so on.

I hope Aely gets a good result, its needed for all.

I notice that Aely's letter has been sent; it is clear, concise and factual. and needs no alteration.

I hope she receives a satisfactory response

I think its a great idea to ask for what you need, but why "put down" the Nepalese initiative when it clearly is purposeful and needful?

Maybe more,

"It was great to see xxxx happening locally, please can those of us who have XXXX needs also have some provision for us?

We actually don't know how the funding was obtained for the Nepalese class, it may have been applied for on a specific basis, but there are quite a lot of wellbeing initiatives funded by the NHS springing up over the country: why not contact your local MP to try and snag one?

I have sent an email to the lady who books the Healthy Living classes saying that I had noticed the new class and adding the following.

"I would be very interested in such a local class which was not restricted to the Nepalese community (I'm not Nepalese, don't speak their language and most of the older Nepalese have restricted English, particularly the older ladies), as I suffer from social isolation and no transport. Any chance we might get one?"

I'll let you know what reply I get.

I have managed to find some more information on the exercise class. It is described as having both Physical and Social activities (it lasts for 2 hours instead of the normal 1 hour) to help participants make new friends as well as stay healthy. That would be good as far as I am concerned but I know that very few of the older ladies actually speak English beyond Hello and Thank you. (The younger Nepalese have very reasonable English.) I can say a polite Namaste and that is it.
I am surprised it is felt they need such a social gathering to make friends as the Nepalese community is very tight. Most of the ladies' husbands served together, if they are around the same age.

I have also discovered the sessions are held on a Friday afternoon - when I am often otherwise engaged. It is when my daughter can visit. So the class would not be convenient.

If the O/P has been strongly recommended by their GP to attend such courses and if afraid of asking, it may be possible to ask the GP to ask "can my patient come" in a neutral way, or indeed even more simple Aely to approach one of the local councillors just to ask "can X came to the class too, as she is in need of it and there is no alternative.

Bear in mind there will almost certainly be good reasons for it being women only, and that has to be honoured.

"I am inclined to approach the Council about this, but am not sure if I would be labelled Racist or a troublemaker."

Which is exactly why posters have suggest that OP just asks why she can't attend and I have tried to clarify why running activities for certain groups is neither racist nor discriminatory.

I am inclined to approach the Council about this, but am not sure if I would be labelled Racist or a troublemaker.

It is pretty terrible that the poster is anxious about making queries because she is scared of being labelled racist or a troublemaker. As she has a specific medical condition and has a doctor's note to certify she needs this sort of exercise she most certainly has a right to enquire and request an explanation if she is denied a place.
. I am aware concern is being expressed over some theatres holding black-only nights

May I just explain something. It's neither discriminatory nor racist to exclude someone who is not a member of a disadvantaged group which is covered by legislation from attending something which is for one. Eg an exercise group set up for women, for people with a disability or for a minority group. Some may think it's unfair, may resent funding being spent like this but it's most certainly not racist or discriminatory. Rushmoor healthy living ( RHL) for example is a charity which runs lots of different classes which target specific groups who are under represented in your usual exercise class as well as classes which are designed for people with certain health conditions like COPD. I'm aware that they run a class for Nepalese people taught by a Nepalese tutor in an area where there is a community with links to Gurka families who have settled in the UK. This is why I asked the OP if she lived in the area where RHL run classes.

Wyllow3

I really would find out officially what the reasoning is?

Yes, that is important.

I really would find out officially what the reasoning is?

I only know of two Nepalese people here (well, I know one who is a neighbour and know of one who is a friend's neighbour).

Both are young women with a family and well integrated in the local communities.

If you are not allowed to join this Council-run group then that is discrimination because the Council is discriminating against you on grounds of race.

Are there many Nepalese over the age of 65 living in your area? I personally doubt it.

It is racist.

It's not specifically a COPD class. As far as I can tell from the info available it is a general exercise class and (within number limits) open to any Nepalese female over 65 who is interested. I am assuming it is one of the Pay-for classes as it doesn't appear to need a Doctor's referral.

I go to the one (COPD) pay-for class I can get to as much for my general mobility issues as for the COPD element. Exercise is exercise.

Foxie's point - before leaping to judgments

Simply

Find out, why.

This sounds a bit crazy to me .
Is this class only for the speakers of Devananagri only or perhaps Tibetan or one of the less spoken hill tribe languages or for those who live in the Kathmandu Valley?
Meet up with one or two of these Nepalis and ask them if they'd mind if you came to their class .
I've never met an unfriendly one .
This is actually racism !