A BRAVE local woman who founded a spiritual healing group has penned an emotional memoir that aims to ‘bring purpose from pain’.

The ‘Women’s Unity’ group provides spiritual and holistic therapy for local women and takes place at the Library @ the Lightbox.

Leanne Greaves, the founder of the group, is a qualified forensic psychologist and also a member of the British Psychological Society.

She created the group, which was inspired by her own deep, personal struggles, alongside friends, Tracey Atkinson and Emma Wroe.

Starting from a simple poem to her 17-year-old self, Leanne has transformed her life - marked by personal struggles and hardship - into power by creating an emotional memoir.

‘Brown Boxes and Breaking Free’ delves into Leanne’s powerful journey of survival and resilience against all odds.

With a date to be confirmed, Leanne will be greeting readers for the first time with a book signing at The Book Vault, on Market Street.

Leanne said: “I am a first-time author but this book is about far more than becoming a writer.

“It is about becoming the woman I fought so hard to be.

“I am proud not in the ordinary sense of the word, but proud in the way someone becomes after surviving what should have destroyed them.

“I am proud of my resilience, my children, my education, and my refusal to let my past define my future.

“For more than twenty years, I endured domestic abuse, sexual violence, and coercive control.

“There were times I didn’t believe I would survive and times I questioned whether I deserved to.

“Yet I walked away with my children - earned my university degree - and transformed my experiences into a mission to help others by founding Women’s Unity.

“I want readers to know that healing is possible.

“It isn’t easy or perfect, but it is possible.”