'Inside Buddhist centre where I felt sense of calm'

Kay Crewdson, pictured with John Sainsbury and Sheila Ryan, visited the centre as part of her 25 in 25 series

Weekday mornings in our house are chaotic.

One or both of the kids tend to wake us any time from 05:30 and, no matter how prepared we are, there is not enough time to get them both up, dressed, fed, packed and out the door.

Then there's the rush to get myself sorted and if I am off out filming, then I also need to sort my face out. Suffice to say, it's a rush.

On the morning I was due to film at Kagyu Ling, Manchester's first Buddhist centre, the M60 rush-hour traffic did little to lift my mood.

The youngest had been awake a lot in the night post preschool jabs, my eyes were heavy and coffee wasn't touching the sides.

The rain trickling down the windscreen was a constant reminder that I'd not listened to my own forecast.

In my line of work, it's rather embarrassing to turn up at a shoot drenched.

The centre was halfway down a leafy road in Chorlton.

As I pulled over, the pitter-patter of rain slowly stopped and the clouds parted.

The sun beamed on my windscreen and for the first time that morning I paused.

Perhaps, I thought, the only place I should be is at a Buddhist centre.

Kagyu Ling Buddhist Centre is part of the Dechen association of Buddhist centres

"Please forgive my lack of knowledge and understanding, I want to know as much as possible, I'm just sorry I don't already," I wittered on to Sheila Ryan, a Buddhist at Kagyu Ling.

Sheila had nominated the centre for BBC North West Tonight's 25 in 25 series, where we shine a spotlight on 25 people or places that make the North West of England a great place to live.

"Buddhism is a way of life," Sheila says.

"It's something that offers me structure, and an outlook, hope, a way of connecting and adding value to my life, making my life meaningful."

Leading a group meditation during my visit was John Sainsbury.

I watched as everyone entered the room, kneeled and prayed to the Buddha, they wore mala [prayer] beads and carried their scriptures.

I felt an overwhelming sense of calm watching a room of 20 or so people sit in complete silence.

I had been right - this was indeed where I needed to be.

Kay describes her visit as "beautifully peaceful"

Afterwards, tea, coffee and cakes were offered in the adjoining room.

One of the younger members, seven-year-old Luna told me she liked coming to Kagyu Ling to relax and because "it opens her space a little".

Luna fascinated me, I'd watched her pray, mediate and sit in silence, comfortable in her own space to just be.

I imagined my seven-year-old in the room and questioned if she could switch off - sad at the thought she might not, while excited to help her try.

Children are the vision for Kagyu Ling, John told me.

"Often you see in religious traditions that they pass through the children, and we're hoping that children will find this a comfortable tradition and they'll be able to make sense of it and make it their own."

This year Kagyu Ling celebrates 50 years.

The centre hosts art and music events and welcomes everyone to join in its weekly meetings as well as opening its doors to the wider community.