What we do
Supporting women. Strengthening communities. Creating change.
AWEF works alongside African women, refugees, asylum seekers and migrants to overcome barriers, understand their rights, develop their potential and participate fully in society.
A connected approach
Support that sees the whole woman
We take a whole-person, culturally responsive approach because challenges involving housing, health, employment, discrimination, financial hardship, family circumstances and public services can be interconnected.
- Housing
- Health
- Employment
- Discrimination
- Financial hardship
- Family circumstances
- Public services
AWEF is not a regulated legal-advice provider. Where a matter needs regulated legal or specialist professional advice, we signpost you to qualified professionals.
AWEF is not an emergency service. If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If you cannot speak, press 55 when prompted.
Six core areas
From immediate needs to long-term opportunity
Each area connects with the others, allowing women to enter through the support that is most relevant to them.
Welcome and belonging
Refugee & migrant women
We help women navigate unfamiliar services, reduce isolation and build the knowledge and confidence needed to settle, participate and move forward. Support may include information, signposting, mentoring, community connection and help preparing for important appointments.
- Services
- Information and signposting, Practical support, Community connection
- For
- Refugees, People seeking asylum, Migrants, Families
Knowledge and dignity
Rights & equality
We build awareness of everyday rights and help women recognise discrimination, understand available options and communicate their concerns. Our work covers employment, housing, public services and other areas where unequal treatment can limit opportunity.
- Services
- Rights information, Advocacy, Specialist referrals
- For
- Women, Communities, Service providers
Voice and access
Advocacy & access to justice
We help women prepare questions, organise information, express their wishes and reach suitable services. When regulated legal or specialist advice is required, AWEF refers or signposts to appropriately qualified professionals.
Explore this areaRecovery and resilience
Health, wellbeing & recovery
Our wellbeing work supports women affected by migration trauma, domestic abuse, isolation and other life crises. Programmes such as the Wellness Recovery Action Plan provide practical tools for understanding wellbeing, rebuilding confidence and strengthening recovery.
- Services
- Wellbeing support, Safety planning, Specialist signposting
- For
- Women, Families
Skills and independence
Education, skills & economic empowerment
We help women build knowledge, qualifications, employability and enterprise confidence. Through learning, mentoring and practical business support, women can develop ideas, improve work prospects and create more secure futures for themselves and their families.
- Services
- English and essential skills, Digital inclusion, Employability and enterprise
- For
- Women, Adult learners, Entrepreneurs
Representation and influence
Leadership & community voice
We create opportunities for women to develop confidence, speak from experience and participate in decisions. Community leadership helps turn private challenges into collective understanding and ensures women’s voices reach the organisations and systems that need to hear them.
- Services
- Leadership development, Participation, Lived-experience insight
- For
- Women, Community leaders, Decision makers
How the work connects
From listening to lasting change
Individual support gives AWEF insight into recurring barriers. With women’s consent and leadership, that learning strengthens programmes, partnerships and advocacy.
- Listen
Understand priorities
- Support
Meet immediate needs
- Empower
Build knowledge and confidence
- Learn
Identify patterns
- Advocate
Share evidence responsibly
- Change
Improve outcomes
Established programmes continue
Named initiatives remain part of the work
The six areas explain the outcomes AWEF works towards. Existing initiatives including WRAP, AWEF Hub, Family Mentoring, Mother’s Pride and our Green Agenda remain practical routes through which that work is delivered.
- Health, wellbeing & recoveryWRAP: Wellness Recovery Action PlanPractical, personalised tools for mental health and trauma recovery.
- Leadership & community voiceAdvocacy and LeadershipBuilding confident voices and community leaders.
- Education, skills & economic empowermentAWEF HubCentral support for women building their own enterprise.
- Refugee & migrant womenAdvisory SessionsWeekly drop-in advice, open to all.
- Advocacy & access to justiceReunite Me With My ChildrenSupporting refugee families separated by migration.
- Refugee & migrant womenMother’s PrideComing soonAn upcoming childcare initiative for our members.
- Health, wellbeing & recoveryFamily MentoringStrengthening relationships within the family.
Next step
What would help you move forward?
Tell us what you need, ask about a programme or work with us to strengthen support for African women and families.