A new wellbeing centre dedicated to women’s health has opened in Penzance, following a successful Crowdfunding campaign.

Garbo House offers a programme of holistic support to help women navigate menstruation, pregnancy, postnatal care, motherhood, menopause and issues around female fertility – with positive impacts for whole families and the wider community.

Leif Olsen, a yoga practitioner with 20 years’ experience, launched the innovative project at her yoga studio on Bread Street.

She said: “I’ve seen hundreds of women experiencing profound life-changes, and I strongly feel that right now many are being let down by massive gaps in the traditional healthcare system. Garbo House offers practical help, but also a support network – these are vital things that women need for their health now and in the future.

“Our health system deals with illness and disease. Fertility issues, pregnancy, menopause – these aren’t diseases, but they are complex aspects of women’s lives and they can have ongoing – and often unseen or undiagnosed – effects.”

Leif developed the idea for an independent wellbeing centre after witnessing first-hand the lack of support for women at key times during their lives, putting them at risk of long-term physical problems and poor levels of mental health.

Her popular pregnancy yoga classes have given Leif a unique insight into the contemporary challenges facing pregnant women and new mums; lack of contact with midwives and low levels of postpartum care, feelings of isolation and intense pressure – Leif has seen women from all walks of life facing an uphill struggle.

Leif is now collaborating with other specialist practitioners to offer something unique in Cornwall – an independent centre with a 360˚ approach to women’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.

The timetable includes yoga for teenagers, pregnancy and baby yoga classes, women’s yoga therapy, a singing group, meditation, couples birth preparation, Mamas Retreats and workshops on baby massage, perimenopause, anxiety, trauma and using herbs in your home.

The initial timetable of classes can be found at www.garbohouse.com, with more coming soon.