Our Monday Ladies Drop In sessions provide a warm, welcoming space for women to connect, learn and share experiences.

Held at Britannia Road, these sessions are open to all women, including those with babies or toddlers up to the age of five. Join us for engaging cooking sessions, interactive activities, and a chance to relax in a supportive environment. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, build friendships and be part of a vibrant community.

Whether you’re looking to learn new skills, share your stories, or simply enjoy a cup of tea with others, our Monday Ladies Drop In is the perfect place for you.

Location: Britannia Road, Banbury
Who: All women [Babies, toddlers welcome]
When: Mondays – Term time – 11.30 – 1.30pm

How to Register:
Fill out our online registration form – it’s quick and simple! Once you’ve completed the form, we will confirm your place and send you additional details.

Ladies Drop-In Registration Form

For more information:
+44 (0) 1295 701728
hello@sunrisemulticultural.org.uk

Monday Ladies Drop In Session – Building Confidence, Community & Culture Through Food

We look forward to seeing you at our Monday Ladies Drop In session – a space where every woman is valued and supported.

Our Monday Ladies Cooking Group is a warm, inclusive space where women from diverse backgrounds come together to cook, share recipes and connect through the universal language of food. Run by Sunrise Multicultural Project, the group empowers women by offering a safe, supportive environment to learn new skills, build friendships and celebrate cultural diversity.

Impact:

• Empowerment & Confidence: Many of our participants are women who face social isolation, language barriers, or are new to the area. Cooking together helps them grow in confidence, share their voices and take pride in their cultures.
• Skills Development: From learning new recipes to understanding food hygiene and budgeting, the sessions offer practical life skills that support wellbeing and independence.
• Mental Health & Wellbeing: The group provides a much-needed outlet for connection and support. Sharing meals and stories reduces loneliness, encourages mutual support and promotes a sense of belonging.
• Cultural Exchange: Each week, we explore recipes from different cultures, fostering mutual respect, understanding and celebration of the rich diversity in our community.
• Supporting Families: Some of the meals cooked are shared with vulnerable families through our food support work, helping others in need and strengthening the spirit of giving.

This group has become a source of joy, learning and solidarity. It’s more than just cooking – it’s about nourishment in every sense of the word.

Celebrating Culture Through Cooking: Our Monday Ladies’ Group

One of the most successful and joyful parts of our work with women is our Monday Ladies’ Cooking Group. This weekly group has become a cornerstone of connection, empowerment and cultural exchange at Sunrise.

A Space for Sharing, Healing, and Learning

Many of the women who attend our cooking group are navigating the challenges of displacement, isolation and language barriers. The group offers a safe and supportive environment where they can:

• Share traditional recipes from their home countries
• Cook together and enjoy meals in a friendly, relaxed setting
• Practise English conversation in an informal and encouraging space
• Form friendships with others from different backgrounds

Through cooking, stories are shared, cultures are celebrated and confidence is rebuilt.

Our Community Cookbook

One of the proudest achievements of this group is our Sunrise Community Cookbook. Developed together with the women in the group. It features recipes from Syria, Afghanistan, Sudan, India, Pakistan and many other countries. Each one carrying personal memories and meaning. 

The cookbook not only showcases the rich culinary traditions of our community, but also gives the women a voice and a sense of pride.

Group Trips and Cultural Exploration

We also organise day trips and outings for the women involved in the group. These have included visits to local markets, countryside walks, heritage sites, and cooking events—offering much-needed respite, new experiences and time to enjoy life outside their everyday challenges.

These trips are often the first time some women have had the chance to explore beyond their immediate surroundings, helping to build confidence, reduce isolation and foster a deeper sense of belonging in the UK.

Real Impact

The impact of the Ladies’ Cooking Group is clear

• Increased well being and reduced social isolation
• Development of friendships and support networks
• Greater confidence in using English
• Stronger connection to the wider community
• A sense of ownership, pride and purpose

Why Collaborators and Partnerships Matter

Partnering with other organisations, groups, and individuals brings real value to our work and the communities we support. Here are just a few reasons why collaborations are so important:

1. Shared Knowledge and Skills
   Collaborators bring unique expertise, ideas, and resources that enhance our activities and allow us to offer more diverse and enriching experiences.
2. Stronger Community Connections
   Working together helps us build a stronger, more connected community by reaching new people and creating spaces where everyone feels welcome.
3. Greater Impact
   When we combine our efforts, we can do more – whether it’s running bigger events, offering new services, or creating lasting change.
4. Creative Inspiration
   Fresh perspectives spark creativity and innovation, helping us deliver engaging and exciting sessions for our beneficiaries.
5. Mutual Support and Learning
   Partnerships are a chance to support one another, learn from each other, and grow together in meaningful ways.
6. Wider Reach and Visibility
   Through joint promotion – especially on social media – we can shine a spotlight on each other’s work, share success stories, and reach a broader audience.
7. Stronger Funding and Resource Opportunities
   Collaborating can open the door to shared funding applications and more efficient use of resources, making our work more sustainable.
8. Community-Led Change
   By working together, we empower local people and organisations to take the lead in shaping the kind of community they want to live in.

Celebrating Our Eco-Friendly Collaboration with Bridge Street Garden

At Sunrise Multicultural Project, we’re always looking for meaningful ways to connect our community with nature, wellbeing and sustainability. That’s why we were so excited to collaborate recently with Bridge Street Garden for a special eco-focused session at our Monday Ladies Drop In.

This hands-on, creative afternoon was all about celebrating the environment and learning how small actions can have a big impact. Our ladies took part in a variety of natural, environmentally friendly activities. Guided by the lovely team from Bridge Street Gardens.

What We Did Together:

• Homemade Lemon/Mint Lip Balm: Using simple, natural ingredients, fresh from the garden – like Mint and lemon balm leaves – the ladies created their own lip balm. Free from chemicals, plastic packaging and waste. It was a fun, relaxing way to learn about sustainable skincare and the benefits of going natural.
• Exploring Radish Pods: Many of the ladies had never seen or tasted radish pods before! Bridge Street Gardens introduced them to this crunchy, peppery vegetable. Sparking conversation about growing and using fresh produce in everyday cooking.
• Weaving Flowers and Herbs from the garden onto boards and adding photos from an instant camera for that personal  touch! 
• Gardening and Herb Planting: Everyone had the chance to get involved in potting herbs to take home. Learning how to care for plants and how gardening – even in small spaces – can support wellbeing and reduce food miles.

Why This Matters:

This session wasn’t just about crafting or gardening – it was about empowering women. With sustainable, practical skills that promote self-care, environmental awareness and community connection. It showed how simple, enjoyable activities can lead to bigger conversations about healthy living, climate-conscious choices and cultural sharing.

The Power of Collaboration:

Our partnership with Bridge Street Gardens is a brilliant example of what can happen when local organisations come together. 

Collaborations like this bring:

• Fresh ideas and inspiration
• Opportunities for learning and growth
• A stronger, greener, more connected community

We also love to promote our collaborations on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, so more people can see the positive impact and get involved

Interested in Collaborating with Us? 

If you’re part of a local organisation or project and would like to work with Sunrise on creative, educational or wellbeing activities, we’d love to hear from you. Whether it’s a one-time workshop or a longer-term partnership. Let’s explore how we can make a difference – together.

Let’s grow, learn and build a more sustainable future as a community.

Support This Work

You can help keep this project going by sponsoring sessions, donating ingredients or cooking equipment, or purchasing our community cookbook. To find out more or get involved, contact us.