National recognition for Northampton's Pearls of Peace

Pearls of Peace, a volunteer-led community group in Northampton, has been shortlisted for Community Initiative of the Year at The Muslim Sports Awards. The awards ceremony will take place in Birmingham on the 11th of November 2026. It is one of the leading national celebrations of Muslim participation and achievement in sport and physical activity. 

Pearls of Peace began as a small group of women seeking safe, accessible ways to be active and connect with one another. It has since grown into a wider network supporting Muslim and ethnic minority women, older adults, and people living with disabilities or long-term health conditions across Northampton. 

The volunteers give their time around family, work and other commitments. They have shaped the group’s activities around what local women have said they need, creating an environment where women feel comfortable taking part. 

That growth is particularly clear in the group’s swimming programme. Limited resources initially meant Pearls of Peace could run only one session, leaving many women on waiting lists. Volunteer effort and community support have helped the programme grow to three weekly classes. The classes have run consistently for more than two years and welcome more than 60 women each term. 

For many attendees, the sessions offer far more than physical activity. Women living with chronic pain, mobility difficulties or long-term health conditions have found a gentle, low-impact way to stay active alongside others who understand their challenges. Women who once felt isolated or lacked the confidence to join a sports session have made friends, built confidence and taken up other activities. Some who had never swum or cycled before have learnt new skills and stayed active. 

The group has also widened its offer. During 2025/26, it ran a Learn to Ride a Bike course and weekly circuit classes, offering women the chance to be active in a supportive setting. It introduced strength and balance sessions for older adults and mentored local women to become activity and wellbeing champions. Some who began as participants now help others get involved. 

Pearls of Peace also partnered with Northamptonshire Talking Therapies to offer mental health drop-ins, making support easier to find in a place women already know and trust. 

Northamptonshire Sport nominated the group in recognition of its ongoing commitment to improving wellbeing in Northamptonshire through physical activity. Over the last five years, the two organisations have built a trusted partnership and look forward to working together for years to come. 

Aysha Warrak, Chair – Pearls of Peace 

“We are incredibly proud that Pearls of Peace has been nominated for the Community Initiative Award at the Muslim Sports Awards. This recognition means so much to us and reflects the hard work of everyone involved in creating opportunities for women to improve their health, wellbeing and confidence through sport and physical activity.  

From swimming and circuits to cycling and wider wellbeing support, we are passionate about helping women stay active, connected and supported within our community. We are grateful to Northamptonshire Sport for the nomination and proud of everything our women continue to achieve together.” 

Matthew Peleszok, Strategic Lead – Inequalities, Northamptonshire Sport 

“Pearls of Peace is proof of what Northamptonshire communities can achieve when they take the lead around their own health, and we couldn’t be prouder to see them shortlisted for Community Initiative of the Year at the Muslim Sports Awards. 

Their volunteers have shown that when women are heard and supported, they can build something that changes lives. This recognition belongs to every one of them, and to the community they serve. We’re cheering them on all the way to the night, and we’d urge everyone across the county to get behind them too.” 

The Muslim Sports Awards aim to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the Muslim community from grassroots and community level, right through to professional sporting talent, and the stakeholders working hard behind the scenes. 

This distinguished annual event transcends boundaries, celebrating excellence in sports at every level – from the grassroots to professional arenas, including community and club platforms and will take place in Birmingham. 

Organised by the Muslim Sports Foundation, the event serves as a powerful platform to build lasting legacies, break down barriers to participation, and inspire the next generation of sporting talent. 

For more information on the Muslim Sports Awards, visit www.muslimsportsawards.org.uk or the Muslim Sports Foundation, visit www.muslimsportsfoundation.org.uk  

For more information on Pearls of Peace, visit www.pearlsofpeace.co.uk and for Northamptonshire Sport, visit www.northamptonshiresport.org