The Manchester Maya Project

The Manchester Maya project is partnership of eight organizations in Manchester: Saheli Manchester being the lead organization, we are working together to support Black Asian Minority Ethnic and Refugee (BAMER) women and girls.

The project is funded by The Big Lottery women and girls fund and it’s a 4 year project

Aim & Outcomes of the Maya Project

Aim

BAMER Women and Girls will be inspired to raise their aspirations, realize their dreams and live the lives they want to. To have access to support and services and provide a holistic service to BAMER women and girls.

Outcomes

1) BAMER Women and Girls will have access to appropriate support at the right time: crisis intervention, practical and emotional, confidence and self-esteem building and self-development

2) BAMER Women and Girls will be able to identify their goals, plan to address their needs and achieve their goals

3) BAMER Women and Girls will be inspired by other women, including other Maya Project participants, volunteers, workers and supporters

4) BAMER Women and Girls will have improved skills, knowledge, employability or entrepreneurship

Actions and processes to achieve project outcomes

Service delivery partners will have improved links across the project partnership through the development of the project, its structures and cross referral pathways

Service delivery partners will develop stronger and wider links with a range of external agencies including voluntary and statutory services for better pathways and specialist support

The Maya Pathway, 5 elements of support

Crisis — Support — Rebuild — Development — Inspiration

The 5 elements of support (our Maya pathway) can be accessed at any point and exited at any point the participant feels appropriate.

A woman might come to Maya because of a crisis issue such as domestic violence and receive immediate support such as safe accommodation, then be supported to access longer term housing, develop social networks, build confidence and skills and may then complete her Maya journey. She may continue through a further range of support, learn new skills and get a job or set up a business and possibly go on to be a ‘Maya Champion’ – an inspiring advocate for other women. Each woman will shape her own journey with the project supported by staff and volunteers, specialist input where required (e.g. mental health etc) and a network of activities and services across the service delivery partners.