Migrant Women Press is partnering with Kairos Women+ to highlight their crucial role in providing safe, inclusive spaces and empowering communities to combat gender-based violence.
Written by Laura Ndanuko
Based in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Kairos Women+ creates safe, welcoming spaces filled with laughter, learning, and mutual support. With a dynamic weekly schedule, they offer a variety of programs designed to uplift, empower, and nurture the women and non-binary people who walk through their doors. Whether through their Personal Development Programme, Wellness Group, or Recovery Space, Kairos Women+ ensures everyone feels supported and heard. They can collaboratively achieve their mission, which is Women+ supporting women+ to reach their full potential.
“We provide a safer environment where women+ can access support, develop new skills, and accomplish their goals. For those who have experience of gender-based violence (GBV), being in a safe, non-judgmental and welcoming space is vital and provides the opportunity to learn and grow together”, explained Kairos Women+.
One key initiative, “Beautiful Women, Beautiful Me”, is a 12-session personal development program that delves into topics such as identity, resilience, emotions, and relationships. This program offers participants a safe environment to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences with gentle guidance from experienced facilitators. It’s a perfect space for those who may be nervous about entering a new group, as Kairos Women+ supports participants every step of the way.
For those facing addiction, the Recovery Space offers a lifeline. This weekly group is a safe and supportive environment where women can share their experiences, engage in creative activities, and connect over a cup of tea. The project fosters peer support and understanding with a WhatsApp group to stay connected between sessions.
Kairos Women+ also strongly emphasises mental health. Their Wellness Group provides a space for women and non-binary people to share experiences of poor mental health and offer each other well-being activities. This group aims to create a sense of community and collective healing, which is crucial in the context of trauma and gender-based violence.
“As a trauma-informed organisation, we are always thinking about how to make our community hub a safer space for women+. That might mean a cup of tea on arrival, a quiet space to sit and chat or discuss access needs. We also signpost to services, offer 1-2-1 support, and closely engage with services supporting women+ who have experienced GBV. This includes a monthly legal surgery at Kairos hosted by the Scottish Women’s Rights Centre, who offer free legal advice for survivors of GBV around issues such as child contact, separation, protective orders and more”, Kairos Women+ said.
Beyond emotional support, Kairos Kitchen brings people together through food, providing a space for Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic women+ to cook, eat, and share meals from their home countries. The Creative Cafe is a drop-in project that offers a relaxing space to enjoy craft activities and conversation. Both are places where women+ can meet, share, and connect over shared experiences, making it easier for those affected by violence to find solidarity and strength.
With inclusivity at its heart, Kairos Women+ ensures accessibility for all. Whether you need literacy support, sensory accommodations, or help with childcare, Kairos adapts to meet the needs of every individual. Their approach reflects the importance of removing barriers and creating truly inclusive environments for healing and growth.
Every two years, the development team, a volunteer subcommittee, undertakes a consultation to collect the views of community members and other women+ who are not involved in the projects yet. The data collected informs the delivery of future projects and results in great reports, such as their community survey report released in 2023.
Another publication by Kairos Women+ is the Cost of Living Crisis report which was developed by the development team. Two events followed this: Empower Your Wallet, an event for service providers to engage in conversations with community members to increase access to support. The other was Evolve and Involve, a skill-sharing opportunity for partners to explore a human-based approach to community engagement. Other events hosted by Kairos Women+ are Refugee Festival celebrations and International Women’s Day.
“Women+ tells us how important awareness is when it comes to domestic abuse and gender-based violence”, Kairos Women+ explained. “So, the 16 Days of Activism Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence provides an important opportunity to share experiences, encourage access to support and be alongside each other as we rebuild our lives after traumatic experiences. Whichever corner of the globe we live in, partnering with other organisations with similar values will always magnify the voice of every woman+. Until such violence is eradicated, we need to call it out! We think that awareness about the effects of systematic gender-based violence is something that has to be raised constantly by those who have the power to stop it. We value participating in 16 days of activism each year as a way to raise awareness of the experiences of women+ in our community.”
As we move forward with our campaign to end gender-based violence, organisations like Kairos Women+ stand as beacons of hope, offering real-world solutions and spaces for recovery and empowerment. Together, we can create a world where all women and non-binary people feel safe, supported, and free from violence. For more information or to get involved with Kairos Women+, visit their website or reach out to book a Welcome Meeting. Let’s stand together and make a difference!
Learn more about Kairos Women+ here.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger or in need of urgent protection, call the police on 999.
For more info on where to find help, click here.
