OUR STORY
Mwamba - We came about through Local African hairdressers who wanted to offer more support to their clients who were struggling to navigate pathways to gain access mainstream services. With collaborative discussions with Waverley Care African project and a listening training programme created by Relationship Scotland, the initial Mwamba project started offering a listening and signposting service in 2016, offering support to the African community. We became a Scottish charity in 2021 and have a dedicated group of multicultural volunteers who are passionate about women and in particular supporting, inspiring and enabling women from African and Ethnic minority backgrounds thrive in their communities.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
One to one friendly and confidential expert advice and listening service in your language where possible.
Appropriate signposting and referral to statutory services and make the initial contact on your behalf.
A person-centred specific package that will meet your individual needs that can include but not limited to; accompanied shopping trips, 1:1 cooking support sessions, individual or group exercise sessions, dance classes, help with filling in forms.
We deal with issues relating to housing, unemployment, benefits, domestic violence, financial issues, addictions, feelings oof isolation, anxiety, racism, personal traumas around long held cultural values and the impact they have on how you access services.
Career choice and education advice.
Support with family problems and just wanting someone to talk to.
BECOME A MWAMBA VOLUNTEER WITH US TODAY
We are always looking for volunteers for a handful of our events and other activities! We would love to hear from you, if you'd be interested in speaking with us about becoming a volunteer, email us at info@mwamba.org
OUR VISION
Have a positive impact with the women we engage with, to feel valued, heard and understood irrespective of their current circumstances. We believe in meeting the needs of our clients by working in a person centred and trauma informed way that will demonstrate an understanding of their needs, encourage, and enable our clients to work towards positive outcomes and create self-fulfilling success stories.
OUR MISSION
To promote and support women from African and ethnic minority backgrounds residing in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas, in the prevention of poverty, advancement of health and wellbeing, by lobbying and working in partnership with other specialist organisations.
““It has been hard trying to explain to people what I’ve been through. Even fellow Africans did not get it. Mwamba was able to shed light on many issues surrounding our culture and my family, as I needed someone to confirm for me, so I don’t think I am going mad.””