Episode Summary:
In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking to Julia Midland and Jessica Green from The OMPowerment Project! We discuss the evolution of The OMPowerment Project, accessible tools for self regulation and the importance of co creation within the community space.
Links to Works Referenced:
Lifting Hands International. Serres, Greece:
Willow International. Kampala, Uganda
RefuSHE. Nairobi, Kenya
Guest Bios:
The OMPowerment Project Mission Statement
The OMPowerment Project empowers individuals in at risk and marginalised communities across the world to build safer space and promote healing through the practices of trauma informed yoga. In training communities we co-create a sustainable wellbeing culture, which is transformative in relieving anxiety and restoring confidence and self esteem
Julia Midland
Julia has worked in international policy and humanitarian aid for over 15 years, evaluating the efficacy of aid programming and assessing impact against intended achievements. Specializing in gender and conflict, she has worked across numerous sectors, including education, humanitarian assistance, governance, health, counter-trafficking, illicit finance, and counter-terrorism. Her work across the globe, with particular expertise in conflict and post-conflict environments such as Somalia, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, has given her an acute understanding of the problems with the typical aid model, and insight into how to make development programming more sustainable through equitable, community-centered intervention. Julia’s experience working with marginalized communities and her understanding that community-led interventions are more effective, have greater impact, and are more likely to generate sustainable change, led to the foundation of The OMPowerment Project
Jessica Green
Jess has worked in the communities of East London for 20 years. Since 2002 she has practiced yoga, slowly moving her work to teaching yoga full time and spending less time sitting at a desk. She now teaches in schools: with parents, teachers and students, in her local studios in Leyton and Walthamstow, in Hackney with a special project aimed at the over 50's to reduce isolation and aid wellbeing. Jess was keen to support/participate in The OMPowerment project as she already works in London with female refugees, sharing mindfulness, meditation, movement and breathing skills to help them cope with the symptoms of PTSD and anxiety.
Thank you for listening to Speak Up Louder brought to you by The OMPowerment Project. Hosted by Sally Balfourth. Special thanks goes to Julia Midland, Izzie Owens and Richard Balfourth. Music was produced by Sofia Papadopoulos with vocals by Ava Riby-Williams.
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