How we can help
Here at SHARAN, we understand the barriers and challenges faced by South Asian women who have left home, we aim to provide support that reflects the cultural aspect of achieving successful independent living without fear. If you have recently left home, you may be feeling isolated, guilty, afraid and not knowing who to turn to for help.
We are here to listen to and support you in any way we can. Although we do not provide sheltered housing or financial support, we are able to make referrals to our key partners who are better placed to assist you without being passed on to endless organisations. We aim to make your experience with SHARAN as painless and secure as possible.
This site will provide information on core areas such as Housing, Health, Employment, Education and Finance as well case studies and links to ensure you have a one-stop-shop for access to all related support agencies.
There is a message board that allows you to post messages to members and find out about events and services in your area.
There is a secure on-line chat room for members to talk and self help others in similar situations so you know you are not alone with links to the UK's national Missing People helpline so you can access these services and much more.
Whether you need advice or support with a specific issue or just someone to talk to who understands what you are going through, we will always aim to ensure your confidentiality and well being is paramount.
We can help you manage key areas of your life such as secure housing, how to write a CV, interview skills, help completing benefit forms, counselling & advocacy, where to find your nearest place of worship, how to manage your money etc.
Whatever your need, just ask SHARAN
If there is something you would like to see on this site, please go to contact us and submit your feedback.
What we do
We are currently web based only and so we are limited to our service delivery at this stage. Once we have established a full time drop in center, we will be working with local authorities, housing associations and core agencies on a referral basis to deliver our key services.
We aim to provide life skills support for independent living will vary according to your individual requirements. We can assist you by working on some key areas such as finance, education, health and legal issues to ensure you have a one-stop-shop for your personal development concerns.
Through our partnerships and resources, we aim to provide a one-stop-shop for access to support services that will assist our members and site users. This will allow for a wider search of services available on core lifeskill topics and localised areas. We will further aim to work with our members and users to ensure they are put in touch with the right service providers through our advocacy service.
- One to one consultations & counselling*
We aim to provide initial consultations to assess current situations and identify which services will best serve your needs. Each consultation will be managed by an advisor who has experience and understanding of key issues.
- Questionnaire to assess specific requirement needs
A carefully designed questionnaire will further assess areas of support required going forward and assist in mapping a personalised action plan and identifying key partners to help deliver on your requirements. Once this assessment has been completed, it will assist our advisors in ensuring specialist support is provided based on individual circumstances and needs.
- Online support and information via dedicated website
The first of its kind, our website will provide invaluable information and advice for young women to access in their own time and particularly addressing the needs of the many South Asian women who do not have access to mainstream services . This site will also allow for secure dialogue between users wishing to share their experiences as well as attain fact sheets and news reports relevant to their situations. The website will also allow members to safely post messages to other members via the message board and contact experienced advisors who can help on the journey to independent living.
- Coaching and mentoring (for 15 - 25 year olds and 25 + year olds)*
This service will aim to provide strong leadership skills and access to a safe environment to air concerns in a respectful manner, it will also allow members to develop existing skills as well as learn new skills. This will allow them to gain a wider perspective of themselves and the people around them through receiving non-judgmental advice in confidence.
Ways in which this will be done include;
- Ensuring confidentiality is paramount
- Having excellent listening, reflective and advisory skills
- Providing unbiased and objective viewpoints
- Encouraging self-managed problem solving
- Confidence building workshops and networking skills
- Work experience, internships and shadowing with senior public figures*
Working along side corporate businesses as well as public and third sector organisations, we aim to provide working experience for individuals wishing to get a taster of specific sectors or environments. With a strong network of contacts and ability to generate interest, we can provide a wide variety of positions.
Whether it is work experience, internships or shadowing, you will be fully briefed on your role and will acquire first hand experience in your chosen field to help inform your future career paths.
Providing life skills support for independent living will vary according to your individual requirements. We can assist you by working on some key areas such as finance, education, health and legal issues to ensure you have a one-stop-shop for your personal development concerns.
* Phase II activity. Where possible our advisors and volunteers will assist with all services listed via online support.