We are delighted to announce that MCFB was successful in securing 3 years’ funding from the National Lottery Community Fund for the Bright Choices project, which supports FGM survivors and individuals in Edinburgh affected by honour based issues.

Bright Choices was originally a partnership project that included SACRO. ELREC and MCFB and first started in 2015. The project provided emotional and practical support to people affected by honour based violence (HBV) in Black and Minority Ethnic communities through face to face support, mediation and a training and outreach program, delivered by all three organizations.  At the end of the initial funding period, The National Lottery Community Fund supported an application from MCFB to fund the ongoing face to face support work element of the Bright Choices partnership, based at MCFB. This renewed funding will enable two full time project workers at MCFB to continue to offer a confidential support service to men, women, children and communities to help them overcome problems arising from HBV and abuse and promote an understanding of positive relationships and informed choices.

Anne Spiers, Manager of the Bright Choices project and Depute CEO of MCFB said:

“We are very pleased to keep the excellent Bright Choices work going and continue to link with our colleagues at SACRO and ELREC. Many of the people we support are accused of ‘dishonouring’ or ‘bringing shame’ to their family, community or religion, some people are forced to marry and/or are unhappy in their marriage, but because of family/community expectations they cannot leave their husband or wife. We discuss issues with our service users, we help them to stay safe as well as find out about their rights, responsibilities and choices and help them build their confidence and skills.”

A short film about the project can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/MQjUrJW_GwE . Referrals for support for those experiencing Honour Based issues or for support to FGM survivors or those at risk of FGM should be made to MCFB by telephone on 0131 467 7052. For more information about the project, please contact Anne Spiers.