About Us
About Us
Our History
In 1996 a small group of Somali women living in Wandsworth came together to discuss shared concerns about the plight of Somali women and their children. The group felt strongly that women and children faced particular problems that local service providers were not addressing, perhaps not even aware of. Some of the most pressing problems identified by this group were:
• lack of knowledge of the UK’s systems for health, social care, education and benefits;
• lack of awareness of services available and their rights and entitlements;
• Lack of education;
• a range of unmet health and social care needs;
• high levels of unemployment and financial hardship;
• high numbers of women experiencing social isolation, struggling without the support of a partner, family or friends;
• all these problems were exacerbated for many women by limited knowledge of English.
In response the group initially sought just to provide a place for Somali women to meet, share their problems, and support each other to find their own solutions. However, as more women heard of the group and demand for support grew, there was a realisation that more needed to be done. These women therefore became the founding group of the Association for Somali Women and Children (ASWAC), and began to seek funding to enable them to expand their work. Within a year, in 1997, ASWAC was born and began offering its first funded services for the community.
We recognise that within our community and the wider society people are treated differently depending on their status and circumstances. We also recognise that discrimination can adversely affect people's quality of life.
At ASWAC we will treat each other at all times with fairness and equality, taking positive steps to ensure that our Association is inclusive and welcoming to all sections of our community.
We are committed to actively combating discrimination in our work. We will take practical steps to prevent discrimination of any type, and we will challenge discrimination at whatever level both within our organisation and, as appropriate, as it affects our clients outside our organisation.
Our policy applies in respect of age, colour, race, creed, clan, disability, gender, and diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, marital status, and responsibility for dependants, sexuality and unrelated criminal conviction.
ASWAC Mission
To improve the lives of Somali women and children in South London, by raising awareness of their needs, offering services that meet their needs, and empowering them to reach their full potential.
ASWAC Guiding Principles
• We will keep the needs of Somali women and children at the heart of what we do
• We will raise awareness of Somali women and children’s needs and concerns
• We will take positive action to ensure the needs of Somali women and children are met
• We will work for and with Somali women and children in an empowering way
• We will celebrate the strengths and achievements of Somali women and children
