Everyone has different physical abilities, health conditions, and comfort levels. Part of organising a successful challenge is recognising these differences and making sure everyone can participate meaningfully and safely within their own capabilities.
Getting to know your participants
Ask the right questions beforehand
When people sign up, find out:
- Any ongoing health conditions or medications
- Previous injuries that might affect participation
- Current fitness levels and exercise experience
- Any concerns they have about specific activities
- Whether they’ve done anything similar before
Keep it simple but thorough
You don’t need medical histories, just practical information:
- “Are there any health reasons you might not be able to fast safely?”
- “Do you have any injuries or conditions that might affect walking long distances?”
- “Is there anything you’re particularly worried about?”
- “Are you taking any medications we should know about in case of emergency?”
Recognising when people shouldn’t do everything
Health conditions that need special consideration
Be particularly careful with participants who have:
- Heart problems or high blood pressure
- Diabetes or other conditions affecting blood sugar
- Severe asthma or breathing difficulties
- Recent injuries or surgeries
- Eating disorders or complicated relationships with food
Age-related considerations
- Younger participants: May need more supervision and encouragement, but often surprise you with their resilience
- Older participants: May have more health considerations but bring valuable experience and wisdom
- Mixed age groups: Plan activities that work for your full range of ages and abilities
Making the fasting element work for everyone
Who might need to skip fasting
Some people shouldn’t fast during physical activity:
- Anyone with diabetes or blood sugar issues
- People taking medications that need to be taken with food
- Those with a history of eating disorders
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Anyone feeling unwell on the day
Keeping everyone included
- Make it completely normal and acceptable to eat if needed for health reasons
- Have discrete eating opportunities that don’t disrupt group solidarity
- Focus on other ways they can contribute to the challenge’s meaning
- Remember that Islamic teaching prioritises health over fasting
Creating different participation levels
Full participation
For those who can do everything as planned.
Modified participation
For those who need adjustments:
- Shorter walking distances or alternative routes
- Regular rest breaks or slower pace
- Modified obstacle activities or alternatives
- Eating during fasting periods if medically necessary
Support roles
For those who can’t do the physical challenges:
- Navigation and route-finding help
- First aid and safety monitoring
- Photography and documentation
- Encouragement and motivation for others
- Logistics and coordination support
Spotting when someone’s struggling
Physical warning signs
Watch out for:
- Excessive tiredness beyond normal challenge fatigue
- Dizziness, confusion, or difficulty concentrating
- Pale skin, sweating, or signs they might faint
- Persistent pain or limping
- Difficulty keeping up with the group despite trying
Emotional warning signs
Look for:
- Withdrawal from group conversation or activities
- Repeated complaints or expressions of wanting to quit
- Signs of anxiety or panic about upcoming activities
- Frustration that seems out of proportion to the situation
- Loss of interest in the challenge’s purpose or meaning
Responding supportively
Listen without judgment
When someone’s struggling:
- Take their concerns seriously
- Acknowledge that the challenge is genuinely difficult
- Ask what specific support they need
- Explore options together rather than making assumptions
Offer practical solutions
- “Would a longer rest break help?”
- “Should we find an easier route for this section?”
- “Would you like to try a modified version of this activity?”
- “How about taking on a support role for this part?”
Keep them connected to the group
- Make sure modifications don’t exclude them from group discussions and reflection
- Find meaningful ways for them to contribute even if they can’t do all physical activities
- Celebrate their efforts and participation
- Include them in meal times and social aspects
The buddy system
Pair people thoughtfully
- Match different fitness levels so they can support each other
- Pair newcomers with more experienced participants
- Consider personality matches for mutual encouragement
- Create small groups rather than just pairs for bigger events
Train buddies to help
Teach participants to:
- Check in with each other regularly
- Recognise signs that their buddy might be struggling
- Encourage without pressuring
- Know when to get help from organisers
When someone needs to stop
Make it okay to step back
- Emphasise that knowing your limits is wisdom, not weakness
- Have clear, non-embarrassing procedures for stepping back from activities
- Keep people connected to the group even if they can’t do everything
- Focus on their courage in trying rather than disappointment about stopping
Practical steps
- Have transport or communication arrangements for people who need to stop
- Keep emergency contacts easily accessible
- Plan for someone to stay with participants who can’t continue
- Follow up afterwards to make sure they’re okay
Islamic perspective on limits
Protecting your health
Islamic teaching emphasises:
- Your body is a trust from Allah that you should care for
- Not putting yourself in unnecessary danger
- Taking necessary medical treatments and modifications
- Supporting others in their health needs
Community responsibility
- Looking out for each other’s wellbeing
- Not pressuring others beyond their capabilities
- Celebrating sincere effort regardless of completion
- Understanding that different people have different challenges
After the event
Check in with everyone
- Follow up with participants who struggled or had to modify activities
- Address any concerns or negative feelings about their participation
- Celebrate what they did achieve rather than focusing on what they couldn’t do
- Learn from their experience to improve future events
Building for next time
- Help participants set realistic goals for future challenges
- Connect them with resources for building fitness or addressing health concerns
- Keep them involved in planning future events
- Recognise their valuable contributions to the group experience
For organisers
Trust your instincts
If you’re worried about someone:
- It’s better to be overcautious than sorry
- Don’t hesitate to suggest modifications or rest
- Seek advice from others if you’re unsure
- Remember that safety is more important than completion
Learn from experience
- Keep notes about what modifications worked well
- Ask participants for feedback about support they received
- Build your understanding of different needs and capabilities
- Share learning with other community organisers
The goal isn’t to get everyone across some arbitrary finish line. It’s to create meaningful experiences where people can challenge themselves safely and supportively within their own capabilities.
When participants feel respected and supported regardless of their physical abilities, they often achieve more than they thought possible. And even when they need modifications, they can still gain powerful insights about refugee experiences and their own resilience.
Remember: the most important learning often happens when people are stretched but not broken, challenged but not endangered, and encouraged but not pressured beyond their genuine limits.