A MUM whose daughter had a heart transplant has launched life coaching workshops to help empower women.

Madeeha Iftikhar wants to support women in Burnley and surrounding towns in gaining confidence through workshops and afternoon tea at The Deen Centre, Burnley.

The mum of two, who is 35, has struggled with her mental health in the past, with her daughter needing round-the-clock care and having needed a heart transplant. Now she felt it was time to do something she had always dreamed of doing.

She said: “I started on myself, as I have a history of anxiety and depression and had a hard time these last five years. But last year something shifted inside me and I could not find help anywhere.

“I did some coaching, and it changed me for the better, and I needed to share that with everyone else.

“A lot of women are suffering, and it is normal to them now. They just go about their lives and do not question their existence. “

Mrs Iftikhar struggled when her daughter Iqra, now 16, was diagnosed with a heart condition and needed a heart transplant. The family were living in Dubai and had to move back to Burnley in 2013.

She said: “I do not think I have actually dealt with it even now, because we had to do everything really quickly.

“There was a doctor on board the flight with us and we went straight to the hospital from the airport.

“I was sitting with my daughter in the hospital before she had her heart transplant and I just thought to myself if we make it through this, then I had to finally do something to help others.

“Although this is not counselling, it bridges the gap of the long waiting lists for psychologists. The workshops will build on self-confidence and my aim is to make them understand that they can achieve their dreams regardless of culture.”

Visit @madeehaiftikhar on Instagram.