Outside the Box is a small, independent charity and social enterprise that helps people influence policies, develop projects, and find practical solutions to challenges.
For the past nine years, they have worked with Moments of Freedom, a New Scots women’s group in Clydebank.
Freya Young from Outside the Box tells us more:
“We work alongside groups who feel on the edge of community or experience additional barriers.
About nine years ago, a resettlement officer in West Dunbartonshire invited us in, thinking some refugee women settling there could really benefit from a bit of time together and support to connect with the wider community.
We quickly formed a good relationship with the women and worked together to explore our next steps – this developed into the group Moments of Freedom.”
About Moments of Freedom
Moments of Freedom is a group of New Scots women who support each other through peer learning and community activities. They work with local partners to improve wellbeing, promote human rights, and help families feel settled and included.
Using their lived experiences, the women influence important plans like the New Scots Integration Strategy. They have also shared their stories on national news and in a short film at the Glasgow Film Theatre, showing their challenges and how peer support has helped them settle in Scotland.
A few times a year, the group hosts events where local people, community groups, politicians, and service providers come together to share ideas, learn from each other, and build connections.
One of the group’s members shared how being part of the group has had a positive impact on her life:
“Since I joined the Moments of Freedom group, my self-confidence has increased, my skills have developed, and my language has also improved.”
Looking ahead, the group would like to become an independent group and connect with other New Scots across Scotland.
Noura Jaban, a member of the group, said:
“We will continue to build more partnerships and try to support all New Scots to join the community and be part of it and improve our skills, get a job and not be alone and isolated. We will keep our community a welcome space for everyone.”
Moments of Freedom expressed their gratitude for the support of Outside the Box:
“Outside the Box is a great organisation that means a lot to us. They have supported us to build more partnerships and connect with the community, to gain confidence and access the support we need. We have had the opportunity to do training, be ourselves, run our group, host gatherings and events, and engage with the community.”
