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Resource centre helps Leicester’s most vulnerable women
Thursday May 18th 2006
A centre for women who have fled war and persecution is to be launched in Leicester on Thursday May 18th.
The Women’s Resource Centre, run by the national charity Refugee Action, aims to help refugee and asylum-seeking women access information, make new friends, build their confidence and learn valuable new skills.
This will be done by offering a confidential support and information service through a team of on-site volunteer befrienders. The Centre will also provide access to English and IT classes, with childcare provision available plus opportunities to participate in other events and activities throughout the year.
The launch at St Matthews Centre on Malabar Road from 10.30pm until 2.30pm will feature international food, music and dance.
The Centre is part of Refugee Action’s Women’s Development Project which is run across Nottingham and Leicester. The project, funded by The Big Lottery Fund and The Lloyds TSB Foundation, also supports and enables service providers such as teachers, health visitors and midwives who work with female refugees and asylum seekers in education, health and maternity care.
The launch, attended by organisations including Women’s Action Aid, the British Red Cross and Leicester College, will feature traditional Rwandan dance, an African and drumming workshop and activities for youngsters like storytelling sessions.
Nina Smith, Refugee Action’s women’s development worker in Leicester, said: “Many refugee and asylum seeking women have faced war, violence and sexual assault and can find it difficult to rebuild their confidence and adapt to life in the UK. This centre will offer a safe space for women, and will include a creche for mothers who often find it difficult to get out and about and make friends with others.
“We hope that this project will also reach out to the wider communities of Leicester, and are still looking for extra funding to do all the work that is needed.”
If you would like to make a donation towards the project please contact janem@refugee-action.org.uk for more information about how you can help.
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Further information: Julia Ravenscroft, Refugee Action: 0161 233 1956
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