Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid is a domestic abuse charity and feminist organisation founded in 1981. We are Scotland’s first Asian, Black and Minority Ethnic Women’s Aid group.

Established through grassroots activism and pioneered by a dedicated group of women volunteers, our organisation has grown significantly over the past 45 years. Today, we provide a culturally sensitive, bilingual specialist service primarily for women, children and young people from Asian, Black and Minority Ethnic communities who are experiencing domestic abuse, honour-based abuse and forced marriage.

Our services include refuge accommodation, crisis/outreach support, support in communitites across Glasgow at a safe location, follow-on services and ongoing advocacy to help those affected rebuild their lives in safety.

Our staff come from a diverse range of backgrounds and bring deep commitment to the work we do. They are highly skilled, knowledgeable and experienced and are dedicated to upholding the organisation’s intersectional feminist principles and values in all aspects of service delivery.

Our commitment remains firmly with the vulnerable women, children and young people who require our help, support and protection. We strive to maintain excellence across all aspects of our single-sex service provision in line with the Equality Act 2010.

We are grateful to our funders for the financial support they provide. Their contributions enable our services to grow and reach more vulnerable women, children and young people in need of tailored support. This support also strengthens our wider campaigning and advocacy work to end violence against women and girls across Glasgow and Scotland.

Finally, we recognise and honour the immense courage of the women, children and young people we support. Their bravery in escaping domestic abuse and overcoming cultural barriers inspires our work every day and helps create pathways toward safer and more prosperous futures.

What does Hemat Gryffe mean?

Hemat – is the Persian word for courage.

Gryffe – the project was initially named Gryffe Women’s Aid as the first refuge was situated near the river Gryffe in Kilmacolm for sixteen years. We are now widely known as Hemat Gryffe Women’s Aid, Glasgow. 

Together the words stand for 'A River of Courage'. We were taken aback when in a particular case a survivor had thanked us for support and said she felt like a river of courage had been instilled in her.  

Our services 

• Refuge accommodation for women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse
• Crisis support
• Helpline - Open 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank holidays)
• Drop-in service at our office in the City Centre - Open 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank holidays)
• Support in your locality area in Glasgow 
• Outreach services for women, children and young people
• Follow on services for women, children and young people
• Play therapy for children experiencing domestic abuse
• Women’s Group for survivors in outreach and follow on services
• Training and development for individuals and workplaces
• Campaigns on issues relating to domestic abuse and Asian, Black and Minority Ethnic communities
• Research and resources for general public, professionals and survivors 

Our Drop-In Centre 

Address: 98 West George Street, James Miller House, Suite 2/2, Glasgow, G2 1PJ

Crisis, outreach and follow-on helpline: 0141 353 0859