About Project Esperanza
A womanist initiative dedicated to bringing race and faith sensitive specialist services & culturally appropriate support to women of African heritage in Edinburgh.
The work we do
We operate as a womanist initiative, as well as a leading Scottish registered charity bringing positive change to the lives of families of African heritage living in Edinburgh.
Mentoring & Trauma-Informed Mental Health
Support.
We offer a specialised, non judgemental, supportive and safe space for anyone to receive guidance, emotional support, an active listening ear and a space for health and wellness work. Our program offers a range of confidence-building and wellbeing activities, planning and goal setting sessions that are tailored to improve mental health and wellness for people experiencing chronic ill health or those encountering racial trauma or migration trauma.
Group sessions or one- to-one sessions available.
Social Integration Program
Our social integration program comprises of various activities such as gardening, cooking, sewing and trips out in a women's only space called SistaCircle.
The purpose of this space is to support, inspire, empower and engage women and also to tackle social isolation by providing a space for women who are isolated by several barriers such as language for example. We provide opportunities for women to engage in activities which support the development of positive mental health and support the development of positive relationships which ultimately increase physical and mental health, positive self esteem and confidence and improve the life chances of the women we support. Our beneficiaries participate in well-being, integration & cultural awareness activities, here they make new friends, and build on those relationships from within the group activities, they also get access to information that helps them engage with other groups and services within the wider community.
The purpose of this space is to support, inspire, empower and engage women and also to tackle social isolation by providing a space for women who are isolated by several barriers such as language for example. We provide opportunities for women to engage in activities which support the development of positive mental health and support the development of positive relationships which ultimately increase physical and mental health, positive self esteem and confidence and improve the life chances of the women we support. Our beneficiaries participate in well-being, integration & cultural awareness activities, here they make new friends, and build on those relationships from within the group activities, they also get access to information that helps them engage with other groups and services within the wider community.
Therapeutic Gardening
Our beneficiaries expressed the desire to grow food; in response to this, we acquired a gardening allotment at Lauriston Farm which has been a fantastic place for families to go to connect with nature and participate in the many eco friendly horticultural projects going on at the farm.
We use gardening as a therapeutic outlet for families affected by the trauma of migration, but also our gardening space promotes integration, healthy eating through learning about food and nutrition, as well as promoting positive mental health and wellness.
Exploring Cultures Through Food
We have always acknowledged the importance of cultural food knowledge. Exploring Cultures Through Food is a space in the community where cultural integration, learning about cultural diets and cultural cooking takes place.
The sessions are cultural exchange activities and eating together has proved to be beneficial for people who are socially and culturally isolated, but also for anyone willing to learn about food from other parts of the world and gain cultural cooking skills. Every month our group cooks a three-course meal that incorporates different countries. The food is shared amongst themselves and the wider community, particularly targeting those people who can not physically participate in community life due to chronic health issues.
The sessions are cultural exchange activities and eating together has proved to be beneficial for people who are socially and culturally isolated, but also for anyone willing to learn about food from other parts of the world and gain cultural cooking skills. Every month our group cooks a three-course meal that incorporates different countries. The food is shared amongst themselves and the wider community, particularly targeting those people who can not physically participate in community life due to chronic health issues.
Sewing
We incorporate sustainability, climate change and environmental awareness into our sewing classes by having clothes mending sessions and using left over material to create shopping bags, scrunchies and items of clothing. Please buy something from our rail. It helps us to fundraise…
Trips Out
Our beneficiaries have expressed an interest in Scottish culture which we feel is very important for the integration of families coming to Scotland.
Once a month there are trips to places such as museums, art galleries, cinemas and other places of interest in the city (there are opportunities to go and see shows during the summer festivals).
Peer Leading and Peer Support
Join SistaCircle and unlock a world of opportunities for women to develop skills and become leaders. You'll gain the support of a community of like-minded women, empowering each other to reach new heights..
Coaching & Mentoring
Looking for a supportive and uplifting space where you can receive guidance, motivation, and a listening ear? Look no further! Our program offers a range of confidence-building activities and wellness sessions, all designed to help you feel your best and achieve your goals. Join us today and experience the power of community and mentorship!
EMPLOYABILITY
Employability services
Our beneficiaries are offered both one-to-one and group support to enable first steps to employment, as well as for those women who are building confidence to pursue work or education.
The sessions are designed to suit the needs of the group. For those who are ready, sessions will cover CVs and cover letters, college course applications, job searches, interview and workplace skills, as well as mentoring to explore business skills and ideas.
ESOL and Digital Literacy Sessions
We provide a supportive environment for those taking early steps towards communicating in English by engaging women in ESOL and basic IT literacy to help them communicate their needs within the wider community (for example at GPs or Council services and hopefully eventually in work settings).
Volunteer Development Programme (VDP)
Our services have been run by interns and volunteers in the past. The Cost Of Living Crisis has however created a situation where we have been unable to get volunteers so we have had to build resilience and train volunteers from within the women’s space (Sista Circle) to run self managing spaces. We have engaged, supported and empowered beneficiaries who face barriers to employment by ensuring that they get volunteer opportunities within the organisation that enable them to gain mentorings and workplace skills whilst working alongside their peers in our activity spaces and build up pathways into employment.
Finances permitting we aim to be able to permanently recruit women into paid employment from the pool of volunteers that we currently have who have the right to work.
Testimonials
