About Usiawan
A Community Built Around Comfortable, Joyful Movement
We started Usiawan because we saw how much a simple, welcoming group session could mean to an older adult in Kuching — and we wanted to make that available to more people.
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How Usiawan Came to Be
Usiawan grew from a simple observation: many older residents of Kuching wanted to keep moving and stay connected, but found that most existing options were either too fast-paced, too unfamiliar, or too far away from daily life. The groups that did exist were often informal, with no consistent schedule or printed materials to take home.
Our founders — a group of educators and community volunteers based in Sarawak — set out to create something different. Something that felt more like a friendly morning gathering than a structured programme. Something where turning up in comfortable clothes and having a cup of tea was part of the experience, not an afterthought.
Since opening our doors at Jalan Padungan 88, we have welcomed participants from across Kuching and the surrounding area. Some come for a single morning session. Others have become part of our regular membership community and have been joining us week after week for over a year.
3+
Years Running
200+
Participants Welcomed
3
Programme Options
Kuching
Locally Based
What We Stand For
Our Mission and Values
Everything we do comes back to three straightforward ideas — comfort, community, and consistency.
Comfort First
No session should feel like a test. We design every activity around what the body finds natural and easy — and we make sure there is always a seat available and a gentler option at hand.
Community Matters
Movement is more enjoyable with other people. We keep groups small so everyone knows each other's name, and social time — tea, conversation, a shared table — is built into every session.
Showing Up Consistently
We run on a dependable, clear schedule. Participants know when to come, what to expect, and that someone will be there to greet them. Reliability builds trust, and trust builds confidence.
The People Behind Usiawan
Meet the Team
Our facilitators and organisers are local to Kuching and bring a mix of community education and wellness backgrounds to each session.
Linda Wong
Programme Lead
Linda has spent over a decade working in community education across Sarawak and leads each morning session with warmth and patience. She oversees all programme planning and scheduling.
Razali bin Bakar
Group Facilitator
Razali grew up in Kuching and brings a calm, encouraging presence to every session. He specialises in seated routines and helps participants feel at ease from their very first visit.
Shirley Ching
Community Coordinator
Shirley handles membership outings, seasonal events, and new participant enquiries. Her enthusiasm for connecting people makes her the go-to person for anyone wondering where to start.
How We Work
Our Standards and Approach
These are the practical commitments we make to everyone who joins a Usiawan session.
Participant Safety
All activity options are reviewed to ensure they are appropriate for older adults. Seated alternatives are always available, and our facilitators follow a clear process for any situation where a participant needs a break or support.
Privacy and Discretion
We collect only the information needed to manage your place in a session. Your details are never shared with outside parties, and you can ask us to remove your information at any time.
Consistent Facilitation
The same familiar faces lead each session type. We believe continuity matters — knowing who will be in the room makes arriving easier, especially for new participants.
Take-Home Materials
Every session includes a printed summary of the day's activities. Written in plain language with large type, these sheets are designed to be shared with family and kept at home as a handy reference.
Community-Centred Values
We are a community group, not a commercial gym or wellness chain. Our programme fees go toward running costs, materials, and maintaining a welcoming space in central Kuching.
Open Feedback Culture
We actively encourage participants to share what is and is not working. Sessions are adjusted regularly based on what the group finds most comfortable and enjoyable.
Active Living in Kuching — A Practical, Local Perspective
Staying active as you get older is something many people in Kuching think about, but finding a comfortable, local setting where that happens on a regular basis is not always straightforward. Most formal programmes are designed with younger adults in mind and move at a pace that does not suit everyone.
At Usiawan, we take a different view. Our sessions are shaped around what the body finds natural at a later stage of life — gentle standing and seated movement, slow walking, breathing exercises, and simple coordination activities that can be done in ordinary clothes without any special equipment.
We operate from Jalan Padungan in central Kuching, which is accessible by car, on foot, or by public transport. Sessions run Monday to Saturday during morning hours, which suits participants who prefer to be active early in the day. Family members are welcome to attend as observers, particularly during a first visit.
Our printed materials are produced in-house and written in plain English. We plan to expand our Bahasa Malaysia materials in the coming months so that sessions are even more accessible to participants across different language backgrounds in Sarawak.
If you are looking for a consistent, unhurried way to incorporate gentle movement into your weekly routine — with good company and no pressure — Usiawan is a practical option worth exploring. We are happy to answer questions by phone or email before you commit to anything.
Come and See What We Do
You are very welcome to get in touch, ask any questions, or simply come along to a morning session to see if it feels right.
Send Us a Message