About Women Asylum Seekers Together in Greater Manchester
We are a network of over 150 women that live in Greater Manchester who are experiencing the UK's hostile asylum system.
Together, we share our experiences, empower and support one another.
WAST is a safe space where we can be ourselves.
The story of Mariam Yusuf – an asylum seeker activist, WAST member and a trustee told for the Women on the Move Awards 2016 where she received a Woman of the Year award.
Our vision
A society where compassion, respect, inclusion and empowerment enables women to reach their potential and have a voice within an increasingly hostile environment.
Our mission
We campaign for social justice and women's rights through a peer-led support model that helps women find their place in the UK.
Our values
Compassion - we empathise
Respect - we listen and believe
Inclusion - we welcome
Empowerment - we raise women's voices
“Because of some of our cultures women are pushed to the background - we’re not used to talking, but at WAST we do all the talking. We can encourage women to talk if they want to and have courage to confront issues.”
Our network
Our network of over 150 women speak many languages and practise many religions. We are women of all ages, nationalities, ethnicities, sexual orientation and disabilities. We speak many languages. Some of us have children and spouses or partners with us, others face our families being split up by deportation and many of us are alone.
As women seeking asylum we can often feel vulnerable due to isolation, trauma, ill health, facing destitution, homelessness, or deportation.
But together we are stronger. We are Women Asylum Seekers Together.
Our team
Our team is made up of women who are passionate about creating change for women living within the UK’s asylum system. We are proudly led by lived experience. The women in our network are in charge and guide the way we work.
Our management group is made up of six women that are living within and experiencing the UK's hostile asylum system. The women volunteer their time to shape our organisation and be peer leaders to our rapidly growing network. We hold annual elections for our management group for WAST members to elect who will manage our organisation.
WAST is supported by our Grassroots Coordinator and Development Manager.
Our Board of Trustees are responsible for the governance of our organisation. We currently have 8 Trustees. 50% of our board have been WAST members and now have their leave to remain in the UK.
Our reports
To find out more about our work, download our Annual Review or visit the Charity Commission’s website to view our latest Trustee’s Reports and Accounts.
