Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has successfully delivered an innovative local project to boost the health and wellbeing of local women in Keighley. ‘Soul Sisters’ brought 12 residents together over a six-week period for a series of themed sessions at Keighley Civic Centre and Keighley Central Hall. Led by Eyarun Nessa, MHA’s Community Development Officer, and Cath Bacon, a former Board member and now Chair of the association’s Customer Panel, the programme sought to create a safe, nurturing space for women from Pakistani, Bangladeshi and White British backgrounds to focus on their emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. Each week offered something different, blending creativity, relaxation and gentle movement. The project began with candle making and guided meditation, where attendees created their own wax melts and gift sets and, in several cases, felt safe enough to release pent-up emotions. Next up was a relaxing sound bath, with participants arriving fully prepared with blankets and pillows and one reporting a noticeable reduction in chronic pain and better sleep afterwards. Hands-on therapeutic support followed with one-to-one massage sessions, delivered by Thai Purity and Spa, with the women receiving tailored, trauma-informed care and aftercare advice. Later, an inclusive dance and movement session – with seated options and music reflecting different cultures – helped to build confidence, lift mood and gently encourage women to stay active. Feedback from these sessions was overwhelmingly positive, with many asking for more of this type of support in future. Creativity played a big role throughout the programme. One of the…
