News / Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2023
Bristol charity advent calendar 2023, Day 3: Refugee Women of Bristol
Refugee Women of Bristol is the only multi-ethnic, multi-faith organisation that specifically targets the needs of refugee women in Bristol.
Established in 2003, the charity is directly governed by women of the refugee and asylum-seeking community.
Based at the Easton Family Centre, the charity supports around 350 refugee and asylum-seeking women and their pre-school children annually, and 120 vulnerable people a week through its Food Hub.
is needed now More than ever
The drop-in centre serves women from over 46 different countries of origin, and everyone is welcome.
Refugee Women of Bristol held a women’s only dance event at Bristol Refugee Festival in June – photo: Miss Magpie Fashion Spy
The centre is a real community for refugee women, with everything from ESOL classes, workshops and health and wellbeing events, to arts and crafts sessions, and food gatherings.
Refugee Women of Bristol aims to raise the educational economic status of refugee and asylum-seeking women by providing access to English language learning, volunteering, and training opportunities.
This experience has shown to increase women’s ability to gain employment, support themselves, reduce isolation, and improve confidence.
Their “Mend the Gap” project supports women fleeing from domestic violence, and, along with its partners, Refugee Women of Bristol campaigns against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Violence against Women and Girls (#EndVAWG).
Refugee Women of Bristol has been Bristol24/7’s charity partner for 2023, and has recently been able to enhance its social media profile, widen its supporter base, and build stronger partnerships with the business sector in Bristol through Bristol24/7’s better business network.
Layla Ismail, who arrived in Bristol as a refugee from Somalia in 1995, is now development manager of the charity.
She said: “We provide women with a space to rest and recover so they can engage with the wider community. One of my greatest and proudest accomplishments is co-founding this amazing charity, which helps women facing the same challenges I faced.
“Now, more than ever, women who are seeking safety and fleeing violence and abuse need our protection. Our organisation is well-equipped and best placed to provide this urgent support.”
Find out more about Refugee Women of Bristol and how you can support their work.
Become a member of Bristol24/7 to support our work with charities and our projects to create opportunities for young people and amplify marginalised voices.
Main photo: Ellie Pipe
Read next:
- The refugee charities bridging borders in Bristol
- Celebrating 20 years of Refugee Women of Bristol
- Bristol charity advent calendar 2022, Day 19: Bristol Refugee Rights
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