Brooks Of Life Family

WOMEN AT RISK – FREEDOM CLINIC

BOLM currently runs a destitution clinic for Women at Risk every Thursday from 9:00am to 4:30pm. Women who find themselves in desperate situations can come for love, support and advice. They can enjoy a cup of coffee and a cake in a warm environment also. At lunch we serve homemade soup and fresh rolls to anyone one in need. 

     We offer a friendly face and understand the issues surrounding fitting into a new culture where systems are baffling and bureaucracy is
     overwhelming. We care when no one else seems to.Our drop-in advice and advocacy clinic is held at our Bedfont office for anyone to
     receive free advice and support on a broad range of subjects from housing and employment to how to make friends and learn English.

Our aims
 To identify and address the needs of refugees, asylum seekers and women at risk.
 To enable those with the right to remain to become full and equal members of the local community.
 To challenge intolerance and ensure equal opportunity for all.
Many of the women who come to us for help have experienced traumatic events in their home countries. Some have lost family members and have been imprisoned or tortured because of their political beliefs, religion or ethnic group.
Making the difficult choice to flee from their homeland and dangerous journey to safety leaves most asylum seekers feeling confused, scared and isolated. Arriving in a strange land where often they feel unwelcome, have no sense of future, miss family and bearing the physical and mental wounds of mistreatment in their home country; is a frightening and daunting experience.
We also work with clients who have moved to the UK for better employment opportunities, education or to join their family.

Our Services:
Drop in Clinic:
Drop-in advice and advocacy clinic on Thursdays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm for women to receive free advice and support on a broad range of subjects from housing and employment to how to make friends and learn English. Contact 0208 8441563 for more information or further enquiries.
Benefit Form Help:
Free advice and support offered for those seeking assistance with benefits.
Legal Outreach:
We have access to immigration and family lawyers who are able to assist women with their legal issues under legal aid or other government grants.
Finding Employment:
Assistance with CV writing and job applications to find work.
Life After Baby (LAB):
Our mother and baby group meets once a week on Wednesday mornings from 9:30am to 12:00pm. It is open to all women with children under the age of 5 and is a friendly group of like minded women who support each other with mothering and life issues.
BOLM strives to meet the top 10 most critical needs of women as outlined by the Women’s Refuge Commission, which are:

  •  Keep refugees and IDPs safe;
  •  Provide safe access to basic needs;
  •  Communicate with the people most affected and ensure their safety whether or not they have legal status or official documents;
  •  Provide life-saving health care, including reproductive health care;
  •  Prevent and respond to sexual violence;
  •  Reduce the transmission of HIV;
  •  Prevent excess maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity. 
  •  Identify vulnerable individuals with specific needs, such as unaccompanied minors, child- or women-headed households, pregnant women, victims of trafficking and persons with disabilities. Secure their care and physical security. Monitor, report and respond to violations against children. 
  •  Provide education to children and young people. 
  •  Provide economic opportunities and preserve existing economic assets. 

We provide practical help to women at risk in the greater London area. If you are in need of assistance or know someone who does please feel free to contact us on 0208 844 1563 or drop in to our Freedom Clinic any Thursday. If you need immediate assistance please do call our number listed above and we will do our best to have a member of our staff assist you.