We’re lucky to work with so many fantastic communities that welcome and support people seeking safety. To mark International Women’s day, here are 16 organisations providing vital services for refugee and asylum-seeking women across Scotland.
1. Amina – The Muslim Women’s Resource Centre
This award-winning sisterhood empowers and supports Muslim, Black and Minority Ethnic women to achieve their full potential. Amina offers a range of free services in Dundee and Glasgow, including a national helpline, employment guidance, inclusive training and weekly creative wellbeing sessions. They also campaign to prevent violence against women and girls and support support survivors of domestic abuse.
Find out more about Amina here
2. Amma Birth Companions
Amma helps asylum-seeking, refugee and migrant women living in Glasgow before, during and after the birth of a baby. The service includes everything from antenatal classes and birth companionship to weekly parent and baby drop-ins, exercise classes, wellbeing workshops and social events. Amma also seeks to tackle the structural and health inequalities experienced by the women they support.
Find out more about Amma Birth Companions here
3. ANYISO
ANYiSO empowers refugee, asylum-seeking and ethnic minority women, their children, and young people from all backgrounds to live better, safer lives free from violence, abuse, poverty and discrimination. It is a safe space offering trainings, workshops and seminars where people can learn new skills and improve their health and wellbeing.
Find out more about ANYiSO here
4. Dumfries and Galloway International Women’s Group
This Women’s Group is run by Dumfries and Galloway Multicultural Organisation, a grassroots charity supporting people from ethnic, religious and cultural minority backgrounds. It offers a wide range of social, spiritual, health and well-bring activities to help women in the region overcome isolation and racial prejudice in a safe environment.
Find out more about Dumfries and Galloway International Women’s Group here
5. Dundee International Women’s Centre
This multi-cultural organisation is passionate about supporting women and girls to flourish. Dundee International Women’s Centre aims to engage, educate and empower women from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds through a wide range of social and educational activities. The charity also runs a free creche, a weekly lunch club and a community space where women can work or relax.
Find out more about Dundee International Women’s Centre here
6. Open Arms: Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council
Open Arms helps women from refugee, migrant and minority ethnic backgrounds feel less isolated, improve their physical and mental health, build confidence and improve their English language skills. The group offers women living in Edinburgh and Lothians free exercise classes, arts and crafts workshops, cooking courses, social activities, employment advice and one-to-one support.
Find out more about Open Arms here
7. Glasgow Women’s Library
The only accredited museum in the UK dedicated to women’s lives, histories and achievements. Glasgow Women’s Library also offers a range of learning opportunities including an adult literacy programme supporting women at all stages in their literacy journey, a story café and a reading group for Muslim women. It is also an art space, running an innovative programme of public events showcasing artists and performers from diverse backgrounds.
Find out more about the Glasgow Women’s Library here
8. Highland Multicultural Friends
This Inverness-based community group is dedicated to celebrating cultural diversity and connecting communities in the Highlands of Scotland. Women are welcomed to enjoy a range of activities including fitness classes, a cooking club, sewing group, English language courses, stay and play for mums and toddlers and an afterschool kids club.
Find out more about Highland Multicultural Friends here
9. HSTAR Scotland
Stirling-based, HSTAR Scotland supports and empowers women affected by trauma and abuse, including newly-arrived refugees and migrants. The charity provides multicultural and multilingual therapy, counselling and workshops to promote healing, improve mental and physical wellbeing and empower women to become active citizens and equal partners.
Find out more about HSTAR Scotland here
10. Kairos Women +
This community-led organisation supports women and girls in Paisley, Renfrewshire and the surrounding area. Kairos Women+ is trans-inclusive, providing a safe and welcoming space for all women and non-binary people to connect with others and access help, regardless of nationality, faith or sexuality. The group runs a range of weekly drop-in sessions including community meals, cookery classes, wellness workshops and a skills-sharing creative café.
Find out more about about Kairos Women +
11. MILK
MILK is a social enterprise in the Southside of Glasgow supporting women from migrant backgrounds, including refugees and people seeking asylum. This catering company and multi-functional community space is a safe and welcoming environment which promotes community integration and hosts local groups, workshops, classes and pop-up events.
12. Moments of Freedom
Moments of Freedom is a project led by New Scots women in Clydebank, in partnership with Outside the Box and West Dunbartonshire Council. This family-friendly group aims to help build and strengthen relationships in the local community. They hold monthly gatherings, bringing people together in a relaxed space, where they can chat over a hot drink and a piece of cake, share experiences and learn from each other.
Find out more about Moments of Freedom here
13. Rights & Choices: Women’s Support Project
The Women’s Support Project works across Scotland to end violence against women. The charity’s Rights & Choices arm supports migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking women who are socially isolated or have experienced violence and abuse, offering befriending, short courses and community-based events. The Women’s Support Network also provides training and resources for service providers and community organisations and works to tackle FGM in Scotland
Find out more about Women’s Support Project here.
14. Saheliya
This award-winning charity works in Edinburgh, Glasgow and other parts of Scotland to support the mental health and wellbeing of black, minority ethnic, asylum seeking and refugee women. Saheliya aims to combat the effects of discrimination and abuse, reduce the stigma around mental health, and improve access to mainstream services. They offer a range of services from counselling and complimentary therapies to gardening, childcare and a learning hub.
Find out more about Saheliya here
15. Soul Food Sisters
This amazing group of migrant and local women from the East End of Glasgow have created a vibrant, female-led collective centred around their shared love of food. Their not-for-profit catering company runs a café and workshops which brings together women from all over the world. By swapping recipes, ideas and skills, they make each other’s lives brighter and develop their talents – in the kitchen and beyond.
Find out more about Soul Food Sisters here
16. Ubuntu Women Shelter
Ubuntu is a woman-centred feminist organisation led by and for women and people of other marginalised genders. This Glasgow-based charity provides unconditional practical support for destitute women who have no recourse to public funds and insecure immigration status in Scotland.
Find out more about Ubuntu Women Shelter here
Take a look at our New Scots Connect Map to find more groups and organisations supporting people seeking safety across Scotland.
