Project Manager (Equality and Human Rights), West of Scotland Regional Equality Council (WSREC)
“It’s great to know that we have you for support because sometimes it feels like there’s nobody there to help our community, especially if we don’t speak English. It’s just really really good to know you are here for us.”
Of the many parts that make up the Minority Ethnic Victim Support Service (MEVSS), this goes to the heart of it: communities simply knowing that this support is there for them.
Based in a community setting, MEVSS is a space where minority ethnic adults affected by crime can build a support package that suits them. From gardening and peer befriending to advice about victims’ rights and standards of service, MEVSS is adaptable and flexible in its approach.
And by offering a combined advice and wellbeing service, community members can come to one place – whether they are looking to find their way around the garden, the criminal justice system or both.
“We feel at home here, nobody tells us what to do. I can come in and make tea for myself and just sit if I want, nobody making me do things. It is peaceful here.”
Currently in its third year, MEVSS is provided by the West of Scotland Regional Equality Council (WSREC) – a minority ethnic led community organisation that has been tackling discrimination, removing barriers and advancing human rights since 1971.
It is part of the Scottish Government’s Victim Centred Approach Fund – and MEVSS works closely with wider victim support services under this fund to ensure that its community approach and minority ethnic focus complements the breadth of knowledge, experience and specialist support that may also be required.
MEVSS can be accessed whether a person is affected by crime directly, as a family member or as a community member – for example, a person could become isolated at home because of a fear of crime in their community.
And it does not matter what the crime is, where and when it took place, how the person was affected or whether it has been reported or not.
“Thank you. Without your support, I don’t know how I would have managed this situation.”
This could be true of anyone affected by crime, let alone minority ethnic community members who already have multiple barriers to accessing services put in their way. On top of that, it is known that minority ethnic communities are targeted for hate crime more than any other group in Scotland (although it is important to emphasise that MEVSS can be accessed regardless of the crime type – i.e. it is not limited to hate crime).
These are just two examples – the additional barriers and the specific targeting – that show why it is so important to have a community-based victim support service where people can find friendship, a relaxed environment and even energy and laughter:
“My friends are here, I feel welcome.”
“I feel happy when I come. I get healthy fruit and feel relax.”
“I am feeling more energy.”
“I really needed this. Haven’t laughed so much in a long time.”
The MEVSS health and wellbeing groups meet every week. Chai and Chatter was the original peer befriending group – and has now become a women-only group to remove barriers to participation. This led to the addition of a weekly Men’s Group. Both are complemented by the Gardening Group – with a door directly from the garden to the kettle for when the Glasgow weather takes hold.
There are of course many reasons why people may not be able to come along to these – not least because WSREC covers 12 local authorities across the west of Scotland – hence the option of Wellbeing Calls either by telephone or online. These offer a listening ear and provide a community connection to reduce a person’s isolation.
“I wish I would just wake up and no longer be in this house.”
The impact of crime can be felt in many areas of life – MEVSS has supported people who no longer feel safe in their own home, who have lost their home and who have seen their employment affected, to name but a few examples of the wider knock-on effects.
The advice and information therefore extends beyond victims’ rights and standards of service to issues arising because of the impact of crime – including the provision of signposting and referrals where required – and is offered through in-person, telephone or online appointments and / or through email advice.
Community members can also report crimes through MEVSS, rather than directly to the police, if they would prefer.
And in terms of outreach, MEVSS provides workshops on victims’ rights and accessing support, as well as a separate Information Station – an outreach initiative where groups can learn about victims’ rights in their local community, alongside participating in a taster session of MEVSS’ wellbeing activities.
“Thank you so much – it’s the first time anyone has done anything like this to help me.”
For further information about MEVSS, please contact advice@wsrec.co.uk or call 0141 337 6626.
