Befriending

Our dedicated Befriending Volunteers provide weekly one-to-one encouragement to help isolated women stay connected with their community and support LBTQ+ women become empowered to live the life they want.

Advice

We offer one-to-one advice on Welfare Issues (by appointment) and on Domestic Abuse, over the phone or online, with trained Advice Workers who speak Arabic, Kurdish, Farsi, Turkish and English.

Workshops, Training & Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse

Our workshops encourage women to discuss Domestic Abuse and Domestic Violence; teaches them to be self aware of the issue, how to protect themselves and to know their rights under UK law. Our workshops also train Befriending Volunteers working with survivors about MEWSo's policies and procedures.

English Conversation

We provide English Conversation Classes for women who want to learn or improve their spoken English, to help alleviate their isolation and function better in society.

Exercise Classes

We recognise the importance of physical exercise and run weekly Arabic Zumba classes, with some yoga influences, in English with Arabic, Farsi and Hebrew translations if needed. It is especially tailored to women who have experienced gender-based discrimination and/or violence. Arabic Zumba is Arabic music with dance moves, alternating fast and slow rhythms to help improve cardiovascular fitness. (Temporarily Suspended)

Art Therapy

We understand that for some women talking about their issues is too difficult, so we offer Art Therapy classes as a way for them to creatively express their emotions. There is also a class for the children of women who wish to take part, to help them use up their excess energy, so mum can relax.

Social Clubs

Our Social Clubs have now been moved online and allow women to have their say in what other activities they want to do, or skills they want to learn, such as cooking, gardening, sewing etc. It's their chance to take a leading role in shaping the group. We also have a new workshop specifically for LBTQ+ women (whether they are out and proud or not), where they can discuss issues, express themselves artistically and just have fun with other women with similar issues.

Help for Children in Need

We offer some financial support to mothers of children living in poverty through helping them buy Christmas gifts and paying for the children to have special days out.