Our network

We support a network of over 300 refugee and asylum-seeking women to develop their confidence, connections, and skills in a welcoming and supportive space, both in person and online.

Our creative and educational activities run during school terms time and aim to create a sense of community where women can grow together – whether that be through speaking their first words of English or leading campaigns for a more compassionate and fair asylum process for women seeking safety.

If you would like to join our network, or refer a woman to join our network, please contact our Grassroots Programmes Coordinator, Dina, or call us on 020 7250 1239.

Please note that there may be a waiting list for some activities.

Email Dina

January - February timetable 2024

English lessons

"When I arrived in this country I could not understand English, and now after joining the English class I am able to speak English in front of people, even in public."

We offer classes suitable for every woman, from Beginners to Advanced, with a dedicated group for literacy support. The classes are designed to equip women with the vocabulary, knowledge, and confidence they need to communicate effectively and rebuild their lives in the UK. 

Women who have progressed through the different levels or who already have good English language skills will be supported to explore new opportunities, either within Women for Refugee Women or through our partner organisations. 

Drama

"Drama helps me to understand my potential and what I can accomplish. I feel empowered mentally, socially and physically."

Our weekly drama groups are hosted by the Southbank Centre and support women to express themselves through movement, roleplay, and poetry, and to tell their stories safely and creatively to a wide range of audiences. 

Led by community theatre director Rebecca Laughton and a team of volunteers, our drama groups welcome all abilities and have a strong focus on building confidence and community. The groups have performed at Black Pride, The Women’s March and have collaborated with global refugee projects such as The Wall of Dreams. 

Rainbow Sisters

"Rainbow Sisters is a family… It is the only group we’ve found where we feel truly welcome and comfortable to be ourselves…we’ve found our voices again."

Rainbow Sisters is a supportive and confidential group open to lesbian, bisexual and trans women and non-binary people seeking asylum. 

Rainbow Sisters offers a safe space for members to build connections and has enabled some members to understand and celebrate their sexuality for the first time. 

Based in London, the group meets in person every Tuesday. There is also an online meeting on Wednesdays for the wider community across the country to come together. 

The group regularly welcomes inspiring speakers and activists – such as Lady Phyll, founder of UK Black Pride – and has ran workshops on drag, mental health support, and poetry writing.

Rainbow Sisters march annually at London Pride and have recently published their first peer research report, See Us Believe Us, Stand With Us, exploring LBT women’s experience of seeking asylum in the UK.. 

To join, please email our Rainbow Sisters Coordinator, Nikki, or call her on 07918276793.

Advice

"I did not know what to do before I came here, but now I know my options and have a roof over my head again."

Through our partnership with Notre Dame Refugee Centre, we offer a wide range of advice, including on: immigration, housing, welfare benefits, destitution support and access to education. This is offered over the phone throughout the week and at an in-person drop in every Wednesday by our qualified Advice Workers, Alice and Lucy.

Yoga

"Yoga has helped me mentally because it is about being calm [and] listening to your body."

Our gentle yoga classes run weekly, both online and in person, and are designed to support women’s mental and physical wellbeing. Led by a team of qualified yoga instructors, classes work to improve self-esteem, release stress, and reinstate balance. 

Creative activities

"First, I met new friends. I relearnt how to knit again. I made something I’m happy with. I forget my stress when I knit."

We offer a range of in-person creative activities aimed at promoting expression, building new skills, and connecting as women – all led by our incredible team of volunteers: 

Radical Knitting

Teaches beginners to advanced knitters in the art of the ancient women-led practice of needlework. The group have made everything from scarves, to ponchos, and have started work on a collaborative blanket.

Handmade with Love

A creative space to craft; from sewing to applique. Women are supported to make items for themselves and to gift others. So far we’ve seen women make items such as beautiful quilted cushion covers and detailed wall hangings.

Dance

A place to have fun, learn new moves, and to share traditional dance practices from across the world.

Campaigning activities

"The [End Detention] group made me feel at home. I draw my strength and feel encouraged to face my challenges and take care of others in the same situation."

We offer a range of in-person and online campaigning activities to support women to learn about the external environment and the political system in the UK, develop their skills and confidence to create and participate in campaigning actions, and to speak out and share their experiences and hopes for a fairer and more compassionate asylum system. 

Spokesperson Network

Led by our Spokesperson Network Facilitator and brilliant campaigner, Agnes Tanoh. The small group meet regularly to develop their public-speaking and campaigning skills. The group have explored topics such as: setting your personal boundaries, maintaining anonymity and keeping safe, and tailoring your messaging to different audiences.

End Detention Group

A solidarity and campaigning group for women who have experienced, or are at risk of, immigration detention. The group meet monthly online, and are currently campaigning against Mitie and Serco – the main providers of immigration detention centres in the UK.

Campaigns Forum

This group of over 20 women meet monthly to build their campaigning skills, take part in live campaigning actions, and to regularly bring the issues affecting our wider network of women to the agenda. The group recently wrote a joint letter to Stephen Kinnock MP – which successfully secured a meeting with him!

Skill-building activities

"When I first came here, I didn’t know anything! Now I know I can do things. I enjoyed seeing people happy, smiling and learning!"

We have a range of different activities to support women to develop their skills and knowledge. 

Asylum Advocates

Run by leading Immigration and Human Rights Lawyer, Danielle Cohen and peer facilitators from our network, this 5week course covers topics from ‘what happens when you claim asylum?’ to ‘the big interview, ‘what to expect from your solicitor’ and more. The aim is to empower women in the asylum process to know their rights and what to expect, so that they may support themselves and their peers.

Digital Inclusion

Our weekly digital skills workshops and drop-ins support women to get online and overcome barriers to technology. Covering phones, laptops, and tablets – sessions focus on building digital literacy, cyber security, and gaining skills for future employment. In partnership with the Good Things Foundation, we also offer free data-loaded sim cards for network members. 

For more information contact our Digital Inclusion and Outreach Coordinator, Hajar. 

Employability

To prepare women to enter employment, we have a variety of partnerships in place: through Tent women are matched with mentors; through SmartWorks women are supported with interview preparation and guidance; and we’re also partnered with the CreativeCycle enterprise programme at The LSE, and the OSDP to promote local employment opportunities. 

Research Methods

Run at Birbeck University, our Research Methods course builds the skills, knowledge of confidence of women in our network to become peer researchers and lead on Women for Refugee Women’s research. Topics covered in the course range from ethics, to methodologies and data analysis.

Volunteering and Trustee training

We run short courses to support women to transition into volunteering or trustees roles, either within Women for Refugee Women or at other charitable organisations. 

Other support

"I’m not alone anymore."

We also work closely with many other fantastic organisations and charities to ensure the women in our network have wraparound support and that their needs are met.

These include foodbanks, Bloody Good Period, Host Nation, women’s services, and local physical and mental health care providers.

Register, or refer someone

If you would like to register or refer someone to join our network – contact our Grassroots Programmes Coordinator, Dina or call us 020 7250 1239.

Email Dina

Volunteer

If you’re interested in volunteering to support the delivery of our activities, please check out our Volunteer webpage, or contact Dina.

VolunteerEmail Dina