A new collaboration will bring women together through health education, interactive workshops and community-focused wellbeing events, with dates to be announced in due course.
Senior physiotherapist Alisha Latif is teaming up with Leeds-based Aura Cafe to launch a series of women-focused events designed to raise awareness, encourage open conversations and empower women to take a proactive approach to their health and wellbeing. The collaboration will explore a range of important topics, including women’s health, menopause, physical wellbeing and preventative healthcare, while creating opportunities for women to learn, connect and share experiences in a relaxed and supportive environment. By bringing together healthcare expertise and the welcoming atmosphere of a community cafe, the initiative aims to make health education more accessible, engaging and relevant to everyday life.
Alisha, a Chartered Physiotherapist with experience across NHS healthcare settings, is passionate about extending healthcare education beyond traditional clinical environments. Alongside her clinical career, she is developing Physio by Alisha, a platform focused on movement, rehabilitation, preventative healthcare and empowering individuals through education. Her passion for community engagement is reflected in her role as co-founder of Sohbah, a community networking initiative, and her organisation of Padel & Pause, a women-only wellness and networking event combining physical activity, health education, self-care and social connection. Alisha is also involved with Haqooq – Aspire for More, a charity dedicated to supporting children and young people with disabilities. Her involvement reflects her commitment to raising awareness, promoting inclusion and championing opportunities for individuals of all abilities to feel valued and supported within their communities.
The planned events at Aura Cafe aim to go beyond traditional health talks, incorporating interactive workshops, practical wellbeing activities and opportunities to learn from healthcare professionals across different specialities.
Speaking about the collaboration, an Aura Cafe spokesperson said: “We’re really excited to be working with Alisha on this series of events. Women’s health is such an important topic, and we want Aura to be a place where people feel comfortable coming together, learning something new and having conversations that really matter. We’re looking forward to creating something positive for women in our local community.”
Alisha Latif added: “I’m delighted to be working with Aura Cafe to bring together two things I’m incredibly passionate about: healthcare and community.
“Throughout my career as a physiotherapist, I’ve seen how much of a difference understanding your own health can make. I believe healthcare should extend beyond clinical settings, making knowledge more accessible and empowering people to take an active role in their wellbeing.
“Through my involvement in community initiatives, I’ve seen the value of bringing people together through meaningful experiences. I’m excited to build on this with Aura Cafe, creating opportunities for women to learn, connect and feel supported in prioritising their health.”
While women’s health will be the initial focus, Alisha’s wider vision is to make health education, movement and wellbeing more accessible to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
The first four-week Women’s Health & Wellbeing Series is planned for January 2027, bringing together experienced professionals from different areas of health and wellbeing.
Alongside Alisha, the programme is expected to feature Bushra Effendi, Pharmacist, Independent Prescriber and Menopause Specialist, and Director of Elmar Health Service. Bushra will lead a session exploring menopause, hormonal changes and healthy ageing, helping women better understand their bodies, recognise symptoms and feel more confident navigating this important stage of life. The session will also encourage open conversations between generations, helping to break down the stigma surrounding menopause.
Rehana Bakhat, Stress & Burnout Specialist, Neuro Trainer, founder of Conscious 11 and creator of the Decode Your Stress methodology, will explore how stress affects women’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Her session will go beyond traditional stress management techniques to examine how underlying beliefs and internal patterns contribute to recurring stress. Participants will learn to recognise early warning signs, better understand the internal drivers of stress and explore ways to support their confidence, performance and long-term wellbeing.
Alida (Jade-Lotus), a yoga teacher with Umbrella Yoga, will deliver an inclusive and accessible session focused on movement, relaxation and breathwork. Designed for women of all ages, abilities and experience levels, the session will incorporate gentle movement, chair-based options and breathing techniques to promote relaxation, support physical wellbeing and encourage women to explore movement in a way that feels comfortable and achievable for them.
Together, the professionals aim to offer more than traditional health talks, creating an engaging and supportive environment where women can gain practical knowledge, ask questions, share experiences and feel empowered to take a proactive approach to their health.
