Sista Sista
Support Group for LBTQI asylum seeking women and refugees.
%
of our beneficiaries identify as women
%
of the UK refugee population are women
This is a support group for LBTQI women who have experienced any forms of violence and abuse due to their sexuality, and/or gender identity.
This group’s aim is to
- help women overcome the impact of gender-based violence,
- cope with changes
- reduce isolation
- make friends and assist with integrating into a new life.
We support women to:
- rebuild their lives
- explore skills to build the relationship they deserve and desire
- handle transitions
- set goals
- plan for the future.
This project is delivered in partnership with the MRI Foundation.
Micro Rainbow has an extensive history of working with LBTQI women and asylum seekers in the UK. Sista Sista is part of Micro Rainbow’s Social Inclusion programme, which helps reduce the isolation many LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers face.
This is a support group for LBTQI women who have experienced any forms of violence and abuse due to their sexuality, and/or gender identity.
This group’s aim is to
- help women overcome the impact of gender-based violence,
- cope with changes
- reduce isolation
- make friends and assist with integrating into a new life.
We support women to:
- rebuild their lives
- explore skills to build the relationship they deserve and desire
- handle transitions
- sett goals
- plan for the future.
This project is delivered in partnership with the MRI Foundation.
Micro Rainbow has an extensive history of working with LBTQI women and asylum seekers in the UK. Sista Sista is part of Micro Rainbow’s Social Inclusion programme, which helps reduce the isolation many LGBTQI refugees and asylum seekers face.
What we do
Sista Sista works specifically with LBTQI asylum seekers to provide them with a social environment and safe community.
- This includes social inclusion outings to help facilitate community and workshops ranging from a wide variety of topics.
- Micro Rainbow also hosts workshops to empower LBTQI refugee women to regain their confidence and independence enabling them to secure employment, to access education or public services such as medical care and housing. If you are an organisation that would like to partner with us you can learn more about the many challenges LBTQI women face seeking asylum and how to support them
- Read some stories from Sista Sista.
"I wanted to express my heartfelt thanks for organising such a wonderful event. The space you’ve created for connection and sharing is truly special, and I’m incredibly grateful for the positive energy and warmth you all bring. Every moment felt meaningful thanks to your genuine approach and the sense of community you foster. I feel proud to be part of such a strong and inspiring group. Thank you to each and every one of you for keeping this supportive environment alive!"
Micro Rainbow’s LBTQI Outreach Officer said of the Sista Sista programme:
“Sista Sista provides a regular, welcoming, and inclusive space where they can come and meet new people, have new experiences, and find support. It’s somewhere where women can come monthly and see many of the same faces and build a friendship network. Over the past year we have really seen this group grow, and attendees have become much more involved in choosing activities for the group to do.”
The Sista Sista group meets monthly
* Sista Sista is confidential, free and available to all LBTQI asylum seeking women and refugees.
If you want to attend or to know more about the group, please email us or phone us.
Get involved
If you are an LBTQI asylum seeker or refugee looking for a safe place and welcoming community consider joining us for one of the events we have every month. If you are an organisation looking to partner with us and host an event for Sista Sista reach out to our email here. Furthermore, if you wish to support Micro Rainbow and its mission consider becoming an ally today!
This is a support group for LBTQI women who have experienced any forms of violence and abuse due to their sexuality, and/or gender identity. This group’s aim is to help women overcome the impact of gender-based violence, cope with changes, reduce isolation, make friends and assist with integrating into a new life. This project is delivered in partnership with the MRI Foundation.
We support women to:
- rebuild their lives
- explore skills to build the relationship they deserve and desire
- handling transitions
- setting goals
- planning for the future.
We offer a safe space to share your voice and experiences in a supportive environment.
Topics will include:
- personal values
- sex and sexuality
- our bodies
- emotions
- community
- culture and more
Join us for a range of activities including outings, tours and discussions.
To understand how you could benefit from this group, please see the case study of Sara, a lesbian refugee from Uganda.
* The Sista Sista group meets monthly
* Sista Sista is confidential, free and available to all LBTQI asylum seeking women and refugees.
If you want to attend or to know more about the group, please email us or phone us.
Black History Month with Sista Sista
The Sista Sista group went to watch Princess Essex at the Globe Theatre for Black History Month in October 2024.
Read Sara's story to learn about the transformative impact of Sista Sista
Sara is a lesbian from Uganda When she was outed as lesbian, she was removed from education, beaten, humiliated and ultimately forced into a marriage with an older man. Read how Sista Sista helped her heal.
Sista Sista trip to Hackney City Farm
The group took in a healing and memory-provoking trip to Hackney City Farm
