‘If you can imagine it you can achieve it. If you dream it you can become it.’

These words make up one of many expressions contained in a calendar produced by a group of women in Bradford.

‘Only open your mouth if what you have got to say is more beautiful than silence,’ is another line penned to accompany a series of monoprints - impressions of images made from printable blocks.

These striking images of parts of the body including the hand, eye, foot, ear and mouth, make up the 13-page, 2015 calendar. It has been created by women in Bradford and Airedale who access Bradford District Care Trust’s Working Women’s Service.

Entitled ‘She believed she could so she did’, the calendar has been conceived by women who have drawn on their life experiences to produce the designs.

Their work is part of an innovative project run by the service, which provides a safe environment where women can access essentials such as food, shelter, warmth, clothing, personal hygiene and a range of safe sex products. Its work also includes discussing personal safety, sexual health and drug-related health advice. Nutrition, budgeting and other issues relating to the women, their recovery plans and their future, are also covered by the service.

The women - not all of whom have worked in the sex industry - have collaborated with Denise McIlroy, a local artist who has volunteered with the service. She has taught them different art techniques from quilling to monoprinting over a series of 12 monthly sessions.

The project allows the women to do something which they may never have done before and which will inspire them.

"The theme is positive body image," says Denise: “They are all self-portraits of the women. They have photographed a part of their body that they like, such as their eye, ear, hand or foot and used the photograph to create the final image, using a range of art techniques that they have learned. They have added an inspirational quote or saying."

She adds: "I have really enjoyed working with the service and think the final product is brilliant.

One service user comments: “Working on this project has been fantastic. I did not know anything about art before. I’ve learned so much from Denise. I love quilling, cutting shapes out of paper and shaping them into a design. I’ve even made her a thank you card using this technique.”

She adds: “Selecting the final images was difficult, they were all so good, but everyone has at least one image in the calendar. I’m really impressed with the final product. I can’t believe it’s real and that something I have made is going to be sold.”

Attending the group has social and health benefits for its members, as the service user explains: “I have made some good friends. It has given us the opportunity to chat and help each other out.

“I feel as though my mental health has improved. Before I had suicidal thoughts - this project has taken my mind off things and given me something to concentrate on.”

She is typical in having developed a love of art and has enjoyed the work so much that she has continued at home. “I am always drawing and coming up with little doodles. I can’t wait for the next project.” Money raised will be used by the service, with the women having a big say in how it will be spent.

The calendar follows on from the success of Bradford District Care Trust’s 2013 Bagz of Inspiration project, when the women produced artwork, again reflecting their experiences, which adorned bags they then sold.

The Working Women’s Service then invited Bradford College to deliver a course with them, giving more women the opportunity to learn. Some of those attending met Denise, who then offered to volunteer on their next project - the calendar.

Angela Berthebaud, specialist drugs worker with Bradford District Care Trust says: “ This has been an amazing year for the service. The women have really enjoyed getting involved and learning new skills.” The majority of women involved in producing the calendar had not worked on the bags project.

Writer Kay Mellor OBE, whose series include Band of Gold, Fat Friends and The Syndicate, sent her support for the service and the art initiative. "Recognising these women's amazing courage, strength and commitment in overcoming their own personal challenges is crucial to enable their journey to create positive change for their future."

The calendar is available from Forks cafe, North Parade, Bradford, at a cost of £6. Working Women's Service: 01274 256136.

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