Saheliya

Saheliya supports the mental health of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) women (12+).

Saheliya supports the mental health of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) women (12+) in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and other parts of Scotland, who have lived experience of gendered abuses, and who are unable to access mainstream services due to severe trauma, and limited English, literacy in any language, and knowledge of their rights. Their experiences include female genital mutilation (FGM), forced or early marriage, sexual violence, exploitation, and domestic abuse, as well as racism and other discrimination; they usually come to us in crisis, and are often destitute, homeless, or suicidal. Saheliya’s unique approach enables them to achieve sustainable mental well-being and to rebuild their lives.

We do this in-house through:

• practical, emotional and therapeutic support in 14 first languages;
  • mental health, human rights, child protection, citizenship, and parenting group work;
  • ESOL, IT, and other ‘ready for work’ skills development
  • volunteering, accredited training, and employment
  * supported employment in in-house social enterprises

as well as through partnerships and referral systems externally.