Soul Sisters: A Small Project with Big Impact for Women’s Wellbeing in Keighley now concluded

Between October 2025 and January 2026, Manningham Housing Association piloted a six-week Soul Sisters Wellbeing Project in Keighley – and discovered how much can be achieved for women’s mental health with a modest budget, culturally rooted practice and a safe space to simply be.

Led by Community Development Officer, Eyarun Nessa, with support from practitioner Cath Bacon, Soul Sisters brought together a group of 8–12 women each week at Keighley Civic Centre and Keighley Central Hall. Most participants were from Pakistani and Bangladeshi backgrounds, with some White British women also attending. Many were juggling caring responsibilities, health challenges and financial pressures – and most had never accessed formal wellbeing support before.

The project was built on a simple idea that resonated deeply with the women: sisterhood is of the soul, not of blood. From the outset, Soul Sisters was framed as a safe, non-judgemental space where women could show up exactly as they were – in their own language, faith, clothing and emotions – and be met with warmth, respect and understanding.

Blending Creativity, Calm and Culturally Sensitive Care

Rather than a traditional “course” or clinical intervention, the programme offered a different type of session each week, blending creative practice, gentle movement and relaxation in an accessible way.

The opening session combined candle-making and guided meditation. Women designed their own wax melts and gift sets to take home, while also being invited into quiet reflection. For some, it opened the door to releasing emotions that had been held in for years. One participant became visibly tearful during the meditation, later describing the session as “the first time I’ve stopped and thought about me in a long time”.

The following week introduced a sound bath, with women arriving wrapped in blankets and bringing their own pillows. For one participant living with chronic pain and sleep issues, the impact was immediate: she reported feeling lighter, in less pain and able to sleep better in the days that followed. Others described it as “the first proper deep rest” they’d had in months.

Hands-on wellbeing was a core feature too. A later session offered 1:1 massage, delivered by a therapist experienced in trauma-informed practice. Women were given bespoke treatments and aftercare advice, tailored to their health conditions and comfort levels. For some, it was the first time they had ever received professional touch specifically for their own wellbeing, rather than in a medical context.

Movement was introduced in an inclusive dance session, using music that reflected participants’ cultures and offering both standing and seated options. Women who were initially reluctant or self-conscious gradually joined in, laughing, clapping and encouraging one another. The focus wasn’t on fitness or performance, but on joy, confidence and reconnecting with their bodies in a positive way.

The Power of Creativity, Pride and Representation

Creativity ran as a thread throughout the programme. One of the most powerful moments came when framed silk paintings created by participants were returned to the group after being exhibited at the Bradford 2025 art exhibition. For many, seeing their work professionally displayed – and then receiving it back, mounted and framed – was transformative.

One woman, who had stopped painting after a significant bereavement, spoke about how Soul Sisters gave her the courage to create again. Having her piece shown publicly, alongside other local artists, helped validate her identity not just as a carer or mother, but as an artist in her own right.

Later sessions used mandala-style art and a guided self-love meditation to support women to process their thoughts and emotions. Acrylic pens that “paint like a brush without the mess” meant that even those with mobility or wrist issues could take part comfortably. Women spoke about the calming, almost meditative effect of colouring and pattern-making together – a simple, low-cost tool that many said they would continue using at home.

Food, Sisterhood and Practical Support

The final session brought everything together in a celebratory fuddle – a shared meal where each woman brought a dish that reflected her culture or family traditions. The atmosphere was emotional and joyful, with participants exchanging recipes, stories and, in some cases, phone numbers to stay in touch after the project ended.

Recognising the wider pressures of the cost-of-living crisis, the team also used this session to introduce the Olio app as a practical tool to access surplus food locally and reduce food waste. This opened up a conversation about dignity, choice and moving beyond a foodbank-only response, particularly for women who might feel stigma in seeking help.

The session closed, quite literally, with a “sisterly hug” – a collective recognition of the trust that had been built, the emotions that had been shared and the importance of having women-only spaces that are safe, culturally familiar and non-clinical.

£14 Social Value for Every £1 Spent

From a financial perspective, Soul Sisters was intentionally small-scale. The total cost of the six-week programme was around £850, covering facilitator fees, specialist practitioners and materials. Based on realistic market rates, the estimated direct value of the sessions was closer to £1,545–£1,650, without even factoring in the preventative health and wellbeing benefits.

Using conservative Social Return on Investment assumptions, Manningham estimates that the project generated approximately £12,000 of social value – equating to roughly £14 of social value for every £1 spent. That ratio is striking, but it’s the individual stories behind the numbers that really matter: women sleeping better, leaving the house after long periods of isolation, reconnecting with creativity, and feeling “seen” in a way mainstream services often fail to deliver.

Learning for the Sector: What Made Soul Sisters Work?

For Manningham, three elements were key to the impact of Soul Sisters – and all are highly replicable across the sector:

1. Culturally rooted, trauma-informed design The project was led by someone who understands the communities, languages and lived realities of the women attending. This made trust-building and emotional safety possible from day one.

2. Flexible, non-clinical activities By framing sessions around art, relaxation, movement and shared food – rather than “therapy” – the project removed stigma and made it easier for women who might never access formal services to participate.

3. Small budget, intentional choices The team prioritised high-impact, low-cost interventions (like guided meditation, creative materials and group activities) and used specialist practitioners strategically. This kept costs down while still delivering depth.

   
   

Soul Sisters shows what can happen when BME women are given space, respect and resources to take care of themselves and each other. For housing providers and community organisations across the BME National network, it’s a reminder that wellbeing work doesn’t have to be big to be powerful – it just has to be rooted in the lives, cultures and voices of the people it’s for.