A Bradford community centre has been given a fresh new look as it continues to save the lives of people in a mental health crisis.
The Millan Centre has been at the heart of Manningham life since opening in 1988.
Established by a group of adult education tutors, it was an easily accessible and welcoming place where women could find good childcare provision, socialise and learn English.
Almost 40 years later, it has saved countless lives and helped people of all ages through their darkest days.
Every Wednesday and Friday, queues of almost 50 women build outside the centre for Saliha Sadiq’s tea-fuelled therapy sessions.
It has seen women open up about strained relationships, cultural issues, anxious thoughts, financial struggles, generational divides, and even abuse.
And, while volunteers work hard to freshen up views around mental wellbeing, it has meant a lesser focus on the walls.
Saliha, the centre’s co-chair and director of mental health, said the centre’s main room had not been painted in years.
She reached out to Bradford Council to see who could help.
It saw an army of volunteers reach out to support the centre including the Stronger Communities team, Participate, staff from the Bradford West Area, and Citizen Coin.
Saliha said: “They all came together. It was such a lovely atmosphere. This is how you build, you’re networking and you learn from each other. Sometimes you don’t know what support is out there.
“It was nice for everyone to come together. We had snacks, music and just getting on with painting, it wasn’t a chore.”
The peeling yellow-tinged paint has been replaced with a bright white with another day of DIY yet to come.
The main room is where Saliha holds the community’s beloved group therapy and training sessions on mental health.
Describing how long it had been since the centre was painted, Saliha said: “Years, absolutely years and years ago. A number of times I had conversations with staff and trustees saying we need decoration, we need new changes. Everytime we came back to there’s no funding.
“We need a space where we feel comfortable, especially when you’re offering counselling and group therapy.
“We should have more positivity.
“This is a good example for the youth or people who have got anxiety, who don’t want to leave the house, painting is therapy.
“It just looks like a brand new room. It looks fresh. I know when the ladies come they’ll notice. It’s lifted my mood. I have a smile on my face.
“Everyone has different experiences and knowledge. What we can achieve as a group it’s far better than when we work in isolation. I’m a great believer in that.”
Saliha has urged people to reach out if they’d like to get involved in the centre’s renovation.
It could be redesigning a new website, gardening, or making artwork for the walls.
“There’s still so much to be done,” said Saliha.
People can email admin@millan.org.uk or call 01274 480691.
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