ABOUT US
Kiran Support Services (‘Kiran’) was set up just over 30 years ago in June 1990 under the name of Kiran Asian Women’s Aid. The name Kiran was chosen as Kiran means 'light' in Urdu. Our logo incorporates the 'hand of Kiran'.
Kiran's overall philosophy is to offer empowerment, freedom & light to survivors of domestic abuse.
Our aim in 1990 when we first set up which remains the same today, is to meet the needs of women and children primarily from the Asian sub-continent experiencing domestic abuse in all its forms.
Since its inception, we have expanded our services to meet the needs of the wider Asian community and provide a holistic range of services to our diverse client group. At the heart of our core service is the need to provide support and assistance to vulnerable women and children in a language and form which is tailored to meet the specific needs of their users.
We believe that a generic refuge service runs the risk of overlooking key detail which could have a profound impact on the ability of a user to acquire the necessary skills and confidence to transition safely to independent living. This is crucial since the majority if not all, will have made one of the most difficult, traumatic and sometimes, emotionally confusing decision in her and her children lives – to leave an abusive household and to re-start with confidence without being traced by her abuser(s).
We believe that all women and children have the right to live free from violence and abuse and have the right to leave a home or relationship where there has been, or there is a risk of abuse.
Women and children who are experiencing domestic abuse can be harmed physically, emotionally, mentally, sexually or exploited financially. These forms of abuse can arise in personal intimate relationships as well as between individuals within extended families.
The services provided by us are offered in a non-judgemental, non-directive form, in a culturally sensitive way, thus empowering women to make their own choices and decisions and to regain control of their lives. This ensures that their children are no longer living in an abusive, chaotic and unpredictable environment.
We provide safe, temporary accommodation to Asian women and their children and we are the only agency of its kind in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. This is a service provided by Asian women for Asian women and children.
Our refuges are called:
1. Kiran (meaning light in Sanskrit) is our founding refuge, set up in 1990.
2. Roshni (meaning light in Urdu) is our second refuge that was set up in 2018.
3. Noor (meaning light in Arabic) is our third refuge which we opened in November 2020 - celebrating our 30th anniversary during the worldwide covid-19 pandemic.
Women in each refuge will have access to, and be able actively encouraged to take up the wide services provided by us to ensure that a user of Kiran’s Support Services is able to independently rebuild her life successfully and to enjoy the freedoms that she and her children have the right to do so.
Mission Statement:
“To provide a safe, nurturing space and resource of high quality, where Asian women overcoming Domestic Abuse (and their children) can identify options and develop skills that enable them to take control of their lives emotionally, financially and practically”
Amtal Rana
CEO, Kiran Support Services
KIRAN HELPLINE -
CALL US NOW ON 020 8558 1986
Phone lines are open Monday - Friday : 9.30 am - 4.30 pm
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CALL THE POLICE ON 999