International Women’s Day at Filwood Community Centre

Main picture: Left to right Julie Cooper, Doreen Reay and Philippa Turner enjoying the celebrations at Filwood Community Centre.

International Women’s Day was celebrated at Filwood Community Centre with a host of activities for attendees – from massage and beauty therapies to dance and health advice.

The free event organised by Community in Partnership Knowle West (CIPKW) also gave local women the chance to try yoga, reflexology or make laser cut jewellery with KWMC The Factory as well as find out about local groups in the area such as Our Time – a women’s support group.

Stalls included Learning Communities, Slimming World and the Fit and Fab team – a weekly woman’s group which meets at Knowle West Health Park offering health and wellbeing sessions.

Local women reported they liked coming to the calming space to have some time for themselves and find out what was on offer in their neighbourhood.

Jackie Lafferty (52) who had just had her nails painted and had an acupressure session said of the event: “It was amazing. When I walked in the door I was really stressed and it’s gone straight down. I like it here because you see people smile and at ease.”

And Doreen Reay (main picture)  said she had enjoyed the Women’s Day at City Hall – so she had come along to Filwood to try out the activities and “to see all the stalls and meet all my friends.”

Shirley Andrews  was on the Learning Communities stall, letting people know courses available locally.

She said: “It went really well, there was a lot of interest and we were also doing manicures and facials and that was packed right out and we had good feedback…”

Centre Manager June McNeill who organised the event said: “… Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. There were a lot of freebies and advice and new people turned up – we had around 75 to 100 people through the door and we’ll definitely do it next year.”