The MWRC library contains an expanding range of reference books, magazines and leaflets on Islamic topics particularly focussed towards women, as well as texts on Counselling and a very comprehensive Resource Bank of information on services and resources in Glasgow and the rest of Scotland. We also have two Internet linked computers and Qur’an software for women to use.
Tea and Coffee etc are available for women who wish to come in to meet with others or use the library facility during drop in sessions.
All MWRC Services are strictly confidential.
Information and Advice is provided primarily through our drop in sessions and also by appointment out with these times, and by telephone. Service users receive an initial assessment and help at their first visit, or may be referred, with their consent, to other services elsewhere in line with their requirements. The service is provided in the client’s preferred language as much as possible. Interpreting can be arranged in cases where a bilingual staff member is not available.
MWRC currently uses a person centred approach in its counselling work with service users plus uses an Islamic approach where appropriate. For many clients this enables them to talk through personal issues whilst receiving a listening ear and help to cope with various situations.
Advocacy is the service where MWRC staff will speak on a service user’s behalf if she is not confident in putting forward her own case to provide support and better understanding of all aspects of the client’s situation. MWRC provides 3 levels of advocacy – supported referral where we accompany service users to one or two appointments with an agency to assist her with the introduction to a particular service, ongoing professional advocacy by telephone or face to face with the service users and ongoing advocacy in family situations.
From identified need MWRC asserts with the establishment of ongoing groups and also establish training courses for Muslim women where we have identified a demand of seminars which involve a range of agencies and organisations as well as community participants. Training courses are also held frequently to benefit the community Muslim women and the volunteers. We run events such as International Women’s Day which provides a link with a range of agencies and interagency networks to ensure Muslim Women’s issues are addressed.
The befriending services matches women who are isolated with a trained befriender who may visit them at home or accompany them to activities in order to overcome their isolation and assist them in developing a social circle.