Women-only social group launched in Queen's Park

The scheme was set up by Debbie Clancey, a community development officer for Westminster Council's housing arm CityWest Homes, and resident Rita Begum, after realising that the majority of events focusing on community interaction were aimed at men.

The first meeting of its kind for the area, Henna Ladies is aimed predominantly at Muslim women but is open to all Queen's Park females who may face isolation and social inequality with no restriction on age, background, ethnicity or faith.

Activities will be offer including trips planned for young mothers to the Vauxhall City Farm in Lambeth, and visits to the Houses of Parliament.

At the launch event, the women had the chance to decorate each other's hands with henna tattoos, as well as making arts and crafts.

Ms Begum said: "I've lived and been closely involved with the community of Queen's Park for over 25 years, so I've seen first hand the need for a group like Henna Ladies.

"It's so important to make women from all backgrounds and ethnicities feel like they're part of their community, to give them a group which is especially for them.

"Henna Ladies will be a very special thing for many of its participants - some of whom will have rarely left the house before and may never have socially interacted with the wider community."

The group will officially start in January with a monthly lunch and weekly coffee mornings, where a variety of speakers will cover key issues such as healthy eating and women's health.

To get involved, call Debbie Clancey on 020 7245 2354.