SOME of society's most vulnerable women are being urged to make 2006 the year when they take hold of their lives.

The Asha Centre, based in London Road, Worcester, organises a number of courses, from improving self-esteem to tackling IT, and the new term kicks off on Monday, January 16.

Lyn-Marie Chapman, training co-ordinator for the centre, said: "There are art and creative craft classes, and new computer courses like an introduction to the internet and e-mail, which I am sure will be quite popular. We're also doing a series of three week courses in complementary therapies, concentrating on massage, aromatherapy and reflexology.

"The women get to work in quite small groups. For people who sometimes have problems mixing with others, it is much more informal and a great first step for those wanting to achieve more."

The classes are run by teachers from Worcester College of Technology and the Workers' Educational Association. The centre is looking forward to soon offering Learn Direct courses.

"At this time of year people make a lot of resolutions, to have a crack at something or address their problems," added Ms Chapman.

"At Asha they can do that and get added support. It's not just going on a course, the women really gain from the experience."

Thanks to a grant from the Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Communities Fund, the centre was able to refurbish the training rooms. It now has 11 fixed PCs and eight laptops, which have allowed the centre to offer the new computing courses.

Each year, between 250 and 300 women use the centre. They are often victims of violence, or women with mental health problems. Many isolated ethnic minority women also use the centre to improve their language skills.

To contact The Asha Centre call 01905 767522 or e-mail ashaproject@btconnect.com