Touch of Love (TOL) hosted a Ladies' Day Out event on March 7 2026 in celebration of International Women's Day, bringing together over 75 women from diverse backgrounds across Aberdeen.
The event addressed a critical need in the community: providing women, particularly those from minority ethnic backgrounds, with dedicated space to connect, relax, and access vital support services.
In many communities, especially for minority ethnic women and New Scots, daily life can feel heavy. Many women face significant challenges including caring responsibilities, financial pressures, isolation, and the complexities of settling into a new environment. Safe, welcoming spaces where women can simply be themselves are rare. This event was designed to fill that gap while also providing essential information about domestic abuse awareness and available support.
The key highlight of the programme was a comprehensive session led by Sameera Ahmed and Karina Vilca Emslie from No Recourse North East Partnership (NRNE).
They delivered expert knowledge on identifying domestic abuse beyond physical signs, including emotional, financial, and psychological control, alongside practical guidance on accessing help and support services.
The session equipped women with a specialised breakdown of challenges facing women with no recourse to public funds, including immigration-related barriers, and actionable information about where to turn for support and how to recognise warning signs of abuse.
Dr Jane Akadiri, CEO of Touch of Love, said: "What stood out most for me was seeing women who didn't know each other at the start of the day leave as friends. Some came in quietly, but by the end, they were laughing, dancing, and sharing their stories. That kind of change is powerful.
"For many women, especially those new to the community, life can feel isolating. So creating a space where they feel safe, relaxed, and included is really important. It's not just about having a good time, it's about helping people feel they belong.
"We were also really pleased to have No Recourse North East Partnership with us. The information they shared was so important, and it meant women left not only happy, but also more aware of the support available to them."
This event was made possible through funding from Corra Foundation via the Henry Duncan Grant. TOL extends its gratitude to members of Corra Foundation, its partners at No Recourse North East Partnership (NRNE) for their invaluable contribution, and to its dedicated volunteers whose commitment made this celebration a reality.
The success of this event reinforces TOL's commitment to creating regular opportunities for women in its community to connect, learn, and support one another. TOL will continue building on these foundations to ensure every woman has access to the resources, relationships, and safe spaces she deserves.
TOL believes that International Women's Day is about committing to creating the conditions where every woman can thrive, where she has access to support, information, community, and the fundamental right to feel safe and valued. This Ladies' Day Out was one step in that ongoing journey, and TOL is committed to building on this foundation to ensure no woman in its community faces her challenges alone.
For more information about Touch of Love Outreach, email support@touchoflove.org.uk or call +447715043399.