I have worked in the Voluntary sector both as a volunteer and as a paid worker with a diversity of user groups. I was Manager at SHAKTI Women’s Aid, tackling violence against minority ethnic women for a number of years. I then joined the Council of Minority Ethnic Voluntary Sector Organisations (CEMVO) as Capacity Building Officer supporting the BME voluntary sector throughout Scotland. Subsequently, I took up the Manager’s post at SCOREscotland in December 2006. Prior to all this, I was volunteer Project Worker at Amnesty International’s Scotland Office. My remit included setting up a Scottish Children’s Human Rights Network.
I also volunteered for OXFAM Scotland and YWCA Roundabout Centre.
I have an Honours Degree in Social Anthropology with Development, a Post Graduate diploma in Community Education and a CEMVO sponsored MBA in Capacity Building.

I have worked as a Case Worker since September 1999 when the organisation was known as West Edinburgh Multicultural Developement Project. Since then my role has been to provide one to one advice/information/advocay and support to minority ethnic communities experiencing a range of issues such as racism, discrimination, housing, education, benefits, immigration, employement and help with filling forms. My role also involves advocating common issues experienced by communities at forums such as West Edinburgh Group Against Racism (WEGARAH) to affect change. I feel my role is crucial to contributing to improving the quality of life of people who are often unaware of the systems or services available to them.

We are currently working with communities from South Asian (Pakistan, Indian, Bengali) and African heritage, supporting individuals aged between 35 and 64 years to undergo a thorough health check to identify those at risk of heart disease, stroke or diabetes etc; offering help and advice to them; enabling them to access NHS and other services designed to reduce/eliminate identified risks to their health; and improve their lifestyles, health and life circumstances.

Contact us to book your appointment

Aerobics run on Wednesdays from 7pm to 8pm at WHALE Arts Centre, and we have swimming lessons on Fridays from 3pm to 5pm at Forrester High School. We also have healthy eating and cooking classes in the Westerhailes area on a Tuesday morning from 10-12pm every fortnight.

Would you like to join this group?

Now is a very good time to come on board because we are working together to come up with ideas of developments would like to see, things the group would like to do and the general direction in which we would like to take the group. We are keen to ensure that the group is about much more than keeping fit. Your input and ideas could make the difference between the group being good or EXCELLENT! If you would like to find out more about this Women’s Group or you would like to join, please call SCOREscotland on 0131 442 2341 or email us.