Empowering women, changing lives: Laamiga’s journey in Camden
For many women in Camden, finding a way into employment, education, or leadership can be daunting – especially for those from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
But what if there was a place where women could gain the support, skills, and confidence they need to succeed? For over a decade, Laamiga has been that place with their offer of mentoring and empowerment helping women build their futures with confidence.
Laamiga, which means ‘pathfinder’ in Somali, was founded to address the challenges many women face when navigating work and life in a new country. Based in Camden, the charity provides free mentoring, skills training, and personal development workshops tailored to the needs of women from diverse communities.
The goal? To help women take control of their futures, grow in confidence and become leaders in their own right.
“My mentor helped me see my own strengths and gave me the tools to apply for jobs”
Amina, Laamiga mentee
More than mentoring
How can a mentor change someone’s life?
At the heart of Laamiga’s work is its mentoring programme, where women are paired with mentors who guide them through career choices, skills development, and confidence-building. Whether it’s preparing for job interviews, learning about UK workplace culture, or simply finding the courage to take the next step, the one-to-one support makes a real difference.
Amina, one of the programme’s participants, shared her experience: “Before I joined Laamiga, I felt lost. I had experience from my home country but didn’t know where to start here. My mentor helped me see my own strengths and gave me the tools to apply for jobs. Now, I have a role in a community organisation, and I feel like I belong.”
Creating a community of support
What happens when women support each other?
Beyond mentoring, Laamiga offers workshops in digital skills, financial literacy, and leadership development. The charity also runs women’s groups that provide a space for networking, sharing experiences, and building friendships.
“Many of the women we work with are isolated,” explains Fatima, a volunteer mentor. “They may not have networks to turn to for career advice or even just everyday support. Laamiga creates that space where women lift each other up.”
Looking to the future
Where does Laamiga go from here?
With ongoing support from Camden Council and local partners, Laamiga continues to expand its work, ensuring that more women have the chance to thrive. The charity is now focusing on digital inclusion – helping women develop IT skills to access better job opportunities and navigate the modern workplace.
“Our mission is to break barriers and build bridges,” says Dr Emua Ali, Laamiga’s director. “Every woman who walks through our doors has potential, and we’re here to make sure she has the support she needs to realise it.”
For women in Camden looking for guidance, mentorship, and a sense of community, Laamiga is more than an organisation – it’s a community. One that’s changing lives, one woman at a time.
Want to get involved?
Find out more about Laamiga at laamiga.org
Laamiga have capacity to welcome new mentees to their programme, if you know of a woman who would benefit from their support reach out to them to refer her at laamiga@info.org
