Nigerian-Led Wellbeing Programme Celebrates First Cohort in Blackburn

A Nigerian-led community wellbeing initiative, the Holistic Reset Programme, has concluded its first cohort in Blackburn, United Kingdom, with a Creative Wellbeing Showcase highlighting the personal growth and experiences of participating women.

The showcase, held on May 14, 2026, marked the completion of the first cohort of the programme, which is led by Nigerian-born UK-based practitioner and community leader, Dr Victoria Olatunde.

The programme was delivered by Awero Care & Crafts CIC, founded and directed by Olatunde, in partnership with Humraaz Support Services and with support from The National Lottery Community Fund.

The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Jacqueline Slater, and the Mayoress attended the closing event, joining participants and community supporters to mark the completion of the programme.

During the programme, participants took part in creative wellbeing activities focused on confidence-building, emotional wellbeing, community connection and self-expression.

The activities were designed to provide participants with opportunities to reflect on personal experiences, express difficult emotions and develop confidence within a supportive environment.

One participant described how a creative exercise involving a garment helped her reconsider how she carried difficult experiences.

“Being able to literally pin my pain onto the garment and then remove it again made me realise I don’t have to carry everything forever,” she said.

According to the organisers, the exercise reflected the programme’s broader use of creative activities to help participants give physical expression to personal experiences and consider ways of moving beyond them.

Holistic Reset is one of the community programmes through which Olatunde’s Vestige to Valour methodology is applied. The approach combines wellbeing activities, creativity and personal development to help participants reflect on challenging experiences while developing confidence, resilience and a sense of purpose.

At the final showcase, participants presented creative pieces developed during the programme and received Certificates of Creative Transformation in recognition of their participation and personal development.

Speaking at the event, Slater said the programme had provided opportunities for local women to engage in personal development and wellbeing activities.

“The work being undertaken through the Holistic Reset programme is clearly making a genuine and positive difference to the lives of local women by providing opportunities for personal growth, empowerment and wellbeing through creativity and support,” she said.

Olatunde described the programme as “a safe space for women to reconnect with themselves through creativity, community and shared experience.”

Following the completion of the first cohort, the programme progressed to a second cohort, extending Awero Care & Crafts CIC’s work with women in Blackburn through further wellbeing and personal development activities.

Awero Care & Crafts CIC is a UK Community Interest Company focused on wellbeing, confidence-building and community connection through creative learning and empowerment initiatives.

The organisation said the first cohort was made possible through support from The National Lottery Community Fund, Humraaz Support Services, volunteers, facilitators and community supporters.