Our Story
Amina is an organisation that empowers and supports Muslim, Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) women to create an inclusive Scotland in which they can contribute fully. We envision a world where Muslim and BME women are fulfilling their aspirations.
Our Values
Accountability
Committed to being accountable to ourselves, our funders, service users and communities
Innovation
Recognising, valuing and promoting Muslim women as assets to society and helping to build a Scotland where Muslim women are active stakeholders
Equity
We believe in being agents of change to help foster and progress opportunities for Muslim and BME women and their respective communities
Integrity
Having upstanding character traits and work ethic as an individual and team
Adaptability
Responsive to the changing needs and issues affecting Muslim and BME women across Scotland
Amina's Herstory
Amina – the Muslim Women’s Resource Centre was founded in 1997 and opened its doors to the public in April 2002. A Scottish charity run by women for Muslim and BME women, Amina's mission is to promote social welfare of Muslim and BME women and enable them to participate in all aspects of society without having to compromise their basic beliefs and values. Amina operates on two levels – by working with policy makers and mainstream providers to help overcome barriers to civic participation and access to services; and by providing a range of services directly to Muslim and BME women delivered in a way that meets their specific needs.
Amina is an award-winning organisation, recognised by Muslim communities and key partners within Scotland for its pioneering and responsive approach to addressing key issues and needs of racially minoritised women and Muslim women.
Having invested in this specialist area where there was previously a gap in services in Scotland, Amina is recognised as the national hub for gaining access to, and consulting with marginalised voices across Scotland. The organisation has been instrumental in initiating and tailoring services to meet the particular needs of Muslim women to ensure that they are able to fully participate in society without fear of discrimination or inequality.
Amina offers a range of tailored support services on a 1-to-1 basis such as their national ‘listening ear’ Helpline and befriending service which also offers Islamic advice through a female scholar, employability guidance, peer group support such as violence against women workshops, and refugee work to support the integration of people new to Scotland.
Founded on the principles of community development, our work is underpinned by community empowerment, participation and partnership working. Vital to creating a fairer Scotland for all, is our engagement work with Muslim women to ensure their voices are able and empowered to contribute to national policies and that mainstream agencies, government bodies and policy makers have an informed understanding of barriers preventing Muslim women from accessing services and participating in society.
Our Teams
Admin and Communications
The Admin team at Amina is proficient at multi-tasking. Always being pulled in different directions, the admin team provide support to projects as required. The team provides day-to-day reception duties and ensures that the office runs efficiently and effectively.
The Communications Officer runs our online communications and advertising. Their role is to manage the Amina website and social media pages, create, plan and share content relating to the services we offer and all our upcoming sessions and activities, alongside working on advertising our fundraising campaigns.
The Helpline team is proudly the largest team in Amina. The team consists of IDAA (Independent Domestic Abuse Advisors) certified staff who have a range of women’s rights experience. We are passionate about supporting Muslim and BME women, understand their rights, and advocate on their behalf.
The VAWG team consists of 2 staff members who are passionate about ending violence against women, working tirelessly to highlight the impact on Muslim and BME women and campaigning for equality. The team have diverse experience with a team member who is IDAA trained and staff who have many years working with Muslim and BME women who have experienced violence.
The Employability, Adult Learning, and Financial Advocacy team covers a broad range of projects. Together, we offer support for Muslim and BME women across Scotland on topics such as looking for work, going to college, talking about money worries, learning English, and making new friends. We also offer a digital device loaning library for women without access to a tablet or laptop who need one to join Amina activities.
The Creative Well-Being team consists of two driven individuals supporting and establishing a safe space for Muslim and BME women to come together, build their skills, and develop confidence in their learning. A project worker within the team has many years of experience working on different Amina projects to support women’s needs in Muslim and BME communities.
The Fundraising Coordinator looks at bringing income into the organisation, liaising and networking with partners and funders, and raising awareness through information campaigns. Amina funds can be sourced in a number of ways, including grant funding, individual giving, fundraising and awareness campaigns, cash and online donations, or carrying out individual sponsorship raising activities. To find out how to support Amina visit the donate page.