New exercise class - I'm a bit miffed.

That’s what I was getting at above. There are so many groups for different kinds of people, and rightly so IMO.

The OP got a course of free classes, and I had to pay for mine. Should I begrudge her her good luck, or be happy that not everyone has to pay? It wouldn’t affect my payments either way - we have a Tory council so very little is free here - so I may as well choose the latter and be happy.

I have no idea why Nepalese people might need a class of their own, but can’t imagine why they would have one if there were no such need, so what’s the point of getting upset about it?

Because as she has explained, for her health needs, and it appears to be patently unfair. Advertised as offering exercise for over 65 year olds, to improve health, but apparently reserved for a minority.

Of course it is racist if they are excluding people by their nationality. British people don’t have the monopoly on racism and it is about time this was acknowledged.

If they were excluding the British, but allowing all other nationalities it would be discriminatory. Having a class for one group of people is not, if there is a reason they need it.

eazybee

Because as she has explained, for her health needs, and it appears to be patently unfair. Advertised as offering exercise for over 65 year olds, to improve health, but apparently reserved for a minority.

Is it more or less patently unfair than one area offering free classes and others not, or that free classes are offered for sufferers from COPD, but maybe not for those with other illnesses? I don’t see that as unfair. COPD sufferers may need different exercises from, say, those with arthritis. If everything has to be ‘come one, come all’, nobody’s needs are catered for.

Nanna8 it’s not racist it will be as simple as the money bid to run these classes had to have a very particular need or was specific to certain people…. in other words there was money to bid for, but for a very limited group ie elderly isolated ethnic women and then the people running the group will only get the money if they stick to these very definite guidelines

People don’t always understand how strict the guidelines for bidding can be people are constantly saying well that’s a waste of money why aren’t they using it to mend the pot holes and just don’t understand the specifics of bidding for community projects.
Eazybee it is how the system of bidding for community money works it’s not racist the pot they are bidding in is obviously trying to include elderly ethnic women a group that often doesn’t go out the house
(Just to add you couldn’t find a nicer race of people than Nepalese nothing to do with this problem though)

I would be miffed too! Actually, curiosity got the better of me and I googled “exercise classes for Nepalese people” and there it was……….a dedicated wellness scheme with exercise classes targeting Nepalese people in the UK……run by a borough council.
Would they be allowed to promote the same facilities for white British citizens…………🤔

Well of course they would "promote'/advertise facilities for any group of people that was very needful, a bit of a strange thing to say. Targeted health initiatives happen all the time all over the country.

Publicly funded bodies often run data collection surveys to see who is taking advantage of their offerings, so they can target those who pay for them (via council or other taxes) but don't access them for whatever reason. If this council realised that there was a significant Nepalese population but very few leisure centre users from that demographic they may have decided to run a scheme to encourage their attendance. Who knows?

Why do (some) people always assume the worst, and worry that others are getting something they haven't got, instead of celebrating the things they do get? On the whole, when a group is 'given' something (assuming the Nepalese are not paying over and above their tax contributions), it is because they have a need. Why begrudge those in need?

Wyllow3

Well of course they would "promote'/advertise facilities for any group of people that was very needful, a bit of a strange thing to say. Targeted health initiatives happen all the time all over the country.

Cross-posted, Wyllow. Agreed.

The lady I contacted has forwarded my email to another member of the team and I can expect a reply after the Christmas/New Year break.

I am expecting the reply to be either "unlikely to be sufficient interest" or "unlikely to be available funding" - or am I being too cynical?