It started with a friendly face – Nmoye’s story

When you arrive somewhere new, everything feels unfamiliar – the place, the systems, even who you can turn to for help. 

That’s the place Nmoye found herself in when she arrived in the UK as a migrant mother of 3 children. She had limited finances, no local support network and ongoing immigration uncertainty. Everyday life felt overwhelming. What she needed most was connection – someone to remind her she wasn’t alone. 

Nmoye found that connection at Support and Action Women’s Network (SAWN). SAWN is an Oldham based charity supporting the welfare of Black African women and families. One of their projects, Project Obutonde, is a communal garden where participants can grow flowers and vegetables and host community cookouts.  It is funded by the Climate Action Fund which supports communities across the UK to act on climate change and involve more people in environmental action.   

A journey shaped by resilience 

Nmoye grew up in Nigeria. As a child and teenager, she worked hard at school and achieved good grades. But even with strong results, she knew that opportunities for higher education and well-paid work could be difficult to access. 

When she was 17, a relative suggested she travel to Italy to continue her education. Nmoye and her family believed it could be the start of something hopeful. 

But when she arrived, things didn’t go as expected. 

Instead of attending school, Nmoye was denied freedom or control over her life. She was made to work for the relative without pay, and her documents were taken from her. 

Looking back, she now understands that she was a victim of modern slavery. 

For 5 years, Nmoye lived under someone else’s control, before finding a way to leave and begin again. 

After escaping that situation, Nmoye made her way to Cyprus, where she could stay with her brother. It was there that she met her now-husband and together they tried to build a new life in Europe. 

They later moved to Germany with their 3 children. But language barriers and racism left the family feeling isolated. Her children became withdrawn and her daughter faced bullying and setbacks at school. 

Nmoye knew they needed a place where they could feel safe and supported. The family came to the UK in the hope of something better. 

A sense of belonging 

When Nmoye arrived in Oldham, she was starting from scratch. 

Nmoye came across SAWN while looking for affordable second-hand furniture. She accepted an invite to attend a session with the charity’s women’s group. Although unsure whether it would be “her thing”, she decided to give it a try. And it turned out to be one of the most rewarding decisions she’s ever made.  

From her very first visit, Nmoye felt a strong sense of safety and connection. 

Listening to other women share their experiences helped her feel less alone. Their stories offered reassurance, perspective and hope at a time when she needed it most. 

Through SAWN’s communal garden project, Nmoye learned new skills she never imagined she would – gardening, cooking, crafting and leading community activities. From growing food to singing as part of the SAWN choir, her confidence grew. Her communication skills improved and she grew more comfortable both within the project and beyond it. 

Over time, SAWN became a place where Nmoye could step away from daily pressures. She built friendships and felt part of a supportive network where everyone was welcome.

An amazing opportunity 

What began as volunteering gradually grew into an exciting opportunity for Nmoye to join SAWN as a paid member of staff. 

Now working as a Media and Project Coordinator, she supports communications and social media, helping community members with practical needs such as eVisa applications. 

The charity that had given her so much already had also given her a sense of stability, purpose and the chance to give back. 

Giving back 

Just as the community once supported Nmoye, she now plays a vital role in supporting others. 

She offers reassurance, practical advice and peer support to women facing the same barriers she once did. She supports them through immigration uncertainty, domestic challenges and loneliness. 

Alongside this, Nmoye is drawing on her own experience of parenting a child with autism. She’s determined to raise awareness of this within Black and Black African communities and also wants to pursue training to help her support other families. 

“I’ve made a lot of friends. Even though sometimes it’s difficult to keep track of who I’m calling and who I’m not calling, I really think I’ve grown a lot. I’ve become more confident in myself.” – Nmoye, Media and Project Coordinator at SAWN 

Get started 

Through SAWN, Nmoye helps build inclusion, confidence and a sense of belonging. She shows other women what’s possible when communities support one another. 

Stories like Nmoye’s remind us just how powerful connection can be. 

We support environmental projects of all shapes and sizes. We offer grants from £300 up to £20,000 through our open Awards for All programme to grants over £500,000 through our Climate Action Fund.

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