We spoke to service member and volunteer, Mira, about her experience of abuse and how attending wellbeing groups helped her to turn her life around. 

For many years, Mira was subjected to financial, physical, and verbal mistreatment in her own home. Controlled by her husband’s family she was socially isolated, forced to complete household chores, and required to act as a carer for her father-in-law.

Life was hell. Very very bad because I wasn’t allowed to get out of the house and do what I wanted to do, I just worked. They controlled too much. They treated me and my husband really badly.

Mira was only allowed to leave her house to go to her full-time job in a supermarket and at all other times she had to be supervised by her mother-in-law. She was often excluded from family events and was bullied by her family members when she attended them. Mira’s mental health was severely affected by the abuse, which manifested in anxiety and suicidal ideation.

When her father-in-law was moved into a care home, Mira was relieved of her duties and was able to distance herself from the family. She finally felt free and was empowered to get her life back. She was referred to Bradford District and Craven Mind by her social worker and she started to attend wellbeing groups like Walk ‘n’ Talk to build up her confidence and keep herself physically active. She was also supported by a staff member to attend counselling sessions in Keighley. In December 2023, she went away on her first holiday abroad to Morocco. She now spends her free time attending wellbeing groups at Bradford District and Craven Mind, as well as going cycling, swimming, attending yoga classes, and going to the gym.

There is so much that we can do outside. I had never been out so I didn’t know anything. There is help out there, if we know how to get it. Attending the groups has kept me busy, which is really nice. Coming here has given me my life back after 47 years.

Mira now volunteers with our team at Bradford District and Craven Mind and leads some of our Tea ‘n’ Talk groups where she can support others in the community with similar experiences.  

In this case the service member’s name has been changed to Mira to protect her identity.

Get support

• Bradford District and Craven Mind offers a range of wellbeing activities and recovery-focused groups designed to support your mental health. 
• Staying Put lead the way in quality service provision to victims of abuse and violence, to remove the barriers that prevent people from speaking out and seeking help. 
• Roshni Ghar is a mental health and wellbeing charity that provides culturally appropriate and responsive services, aimed predominantly at South Asian community.