A NEW women’s group called Coffee Natters has been launched to support leadership among South Asian heritage females.

The Coffee Natters group is part of Blackburn community organisation One Voice and has already conducted events and projects from mental health to learning more about the local environment.

A major project by Coffee Natters addressed the area of leadership among south Asian heritage females, where the women embarked on a four-week course, named Girls into the Community, at the University of Central Lancashire.

Jackie Floyd, councilor at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

“These ladies and their children do so much in the community, whether supporting litter picking efforts, talking about mental health or simply engaging with other women who may be struggling. They are a real inspiration.”

Dawn Hardman, a mental health expert spoke of the group, said: "I have long been a supporter of One Voice, and welcomed with open arms the opportunity to deliver a Mental Health First Aid and safeTALK sessions to the new group."

The event included the presentation of an award to Baiter Sehat lead Nazia Khan for her tireless efforts in creating hundreds of dementia friends and raising awareness of mental health and suicide.

Leader of the Council, Mohammed Khan officially launched the group, and said: “One Voice do some very important work in the whole of Blackburn with Darwen.

Over the last ten years I have seen many good projects being conducted by ladies in this town, and more important are now being delivered by South Asian heritage and Arab women, and I congratulate all of you who make Blackburn a better place because of your work.”