For many migrant women, moving to a new country isn’t just about adapting to a different culture—it’s about redefining self-worth, beauty, and relationships in an unfamiliar society. In this episode of Our Story, Your Voice, hosts Judith Nyanjowa, Agatha Phiri, and Ruth Mbera dive into the evolving expectations that migrant women face when it comes to beauty standards and relationships in the UK.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🔹 Shifting beauty ideals - how Western beauty standards impact self-image and cultural identity.
🔹 Love and relationships in a new country - navigating different cultural expectations in dating, marriage, and partnerships.
🔹 Balancing tradition vs. modern expectations - how migrant women juggle the values of their home countries with the realities of their new environment.
🔹 The pressure to conform - the impact of social media, racial biases, and societal norms on how migrant women see themselves.
🔹 Finding empowerment - celebrating diversity, redefining beauty, and building confidence in a world that often demands change.

This thought-provoking and relatable discussion explores the challenges, stereotypes, and evolving identities that migrant women experience as they navigate beauty and relationships in the UK.

🎧 Join us for a candid conversation about self-acceptance, cultural expectations, and the journey to embracing one’s true self in a new land.

Parenting is already a journey filled with challenges, but for asylum seekers and immigrants, raising children in a new country comes with added struggles of cultural adaptation, systemic barriers, and social isolation. In this episode of Our Story, Your Voice, hosts Judith Nyanjowa and Lillian Musiitwa are joined by Karen Savile, a social worker for SAWN, to discuss the unique difficulties faced by migrant parents.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🔹 Parenting in unfamiliar territory - how adjusting to a new country, language, and social norms affects raising children.
🔹 Navigating cultural differences - balancing traditional parenting values with Western societal expectations.
🔹 The education system - understanding schooling in the UK and supporting children’s learning while adapting to a different structure.
🔹 Systemic challenges - dealing with racism, legal restrictions, and lack of access to services as an asylum-seeking parent.
🔹 The emotional toll - how the stress of immigration status, financial struggles, and social isolation impacts parenting.
🔹 Support systems & resources - how organisations like SAWN help parents build community and access necessary support.

From discipline and cultural identity to mental health and access to services, this episode provides a much-needed discussion on the realities of migrant parenting, one filled with both struggles and resilience.

🎧 Tune in for an eye-opening conversation on what it truly means to parent while navigating the asylum system and the challenges of a new life in a foreign land.

Losing a loved one is never easy, but for Africans in the diaspora, grief comes with unique cultural, emotional, and logistical challenges. In this deeply personal episode of Our Story, Your Voice, hosts Judith Nyanjowa, Lilian Musiitwa, and Rose Ssali explore how African migrant communities navigate bereavement in a foreign land, far from the traditions and support systems of home.

The conversation is particularly poignant following the recent loss of a dear sister in the community, Rose Kabera Tariwale, whose life and contributions are honoured throughout the episode.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🔹 The loneliness of grief in the diaspora - how mourning differs without the extended family and community support often found back home.
🔹 Cultural expectations vs. Western reality - the struggle to adapt traditional African mourning rituals to a fast-paced, individualistic society.
🔹 Financial and legal hurdles - the complexities of repatriation, funeral costs, and the emotional toll of not being able to travel for last goodbyes.
🔹 The trauma of unresolved grief - how COVID-19 restrictions and immigration status can make bereavement even harder.
🔹 The importance of community - why grassroots networks like SAWN (Support and Action for Women’s Network) play a crucial role in helping migrants cope with loss.
🔹 Breaking the silence on death - how normalising conversations about end-of-life planning can ease the burden on grieving families.

Through personal stories and shared wisdom, this episode creates a safe space for an open and honest conversation about loss, resilience, and the importance of honouring our traditions while adapting to new realities.

🎧 Tune in for an emotional and insightful discussion on what it means to grieve as an African in the diaspora, and how we find healing, even when home feels far away.

For many migrants, the journey doesn’t end upon arrival; it’s just the beginning of an emotional and psychological struggle. In this powerful episode of Our Story, Your Voice, hosts Agatha Phiri, Ruth Mbera, and Judith Nyanjowa explore immigration psychosis, the deep and lasting mental health effects of displacement, uncertainty, and systemic neglect.

Joined by Dr. Suriya Nayak, an expert in social work and a dedicated activist, the discussion challenges Western psychiatric labels and highlights the human rights perspective of migration trauma. Dr. Nayak emphasises that while "psychosis" is often used to describe extreme distress, the reality for migrants, especially those facing forced displacement, racial discrimination, and immigration detention, is one of survival in the face of unimaginable stress.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

🔹 What is immigration psychosis? A breakdown of its meaning beyond the clinical definition.
🔹 The trauma of forced migration—how the body and mind react to loss, uncertainty, and systemic barriers.
🔹 Living in fear—how asylum seekers are forced to relive their trauma through repeated questioning, surveillance, and isolation.
🔹 Resilience and recovery—why grassroots support networks like SAWN (Support and Action for Women’s Network) play a crucial role in healing.
🔹 The power of language—how terms like "survivor" empower migrants rather than stigmatise them.
🔹 Breaking the silence—why sharing lived experiences is a form of healing and activism.

Through personal testimonies, expert insights, and raw emotions, this episode exposes the hidden mental health crisis among migrants and the urgent need for compassionate policies and community-driven support.

“Together we are stronger, and silence will not protect.” Tune in for an eye-opening conversation that challenges misconceptions and offers hope to those navigating the harsh realities of immigration.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation. Your story matters.

Experience the harsh realities of the UK's housing crisis through the lens of activist Kwajo Tweneboa as he shares a deeply personal story of resilience and advocacy. Kwado paints a vivid picture of his family's struggles with inadequate housing, compounded by his father's battle with cancer. This episode shines a light on systemic issues in the housing sector, exploring the urgent need for reform and support for those who endure similar conditions.

The conversation fearlessly tackles the uncomfortable truths of government racism and housing discrimination. We unpack the chilling silence forced upon asylum seekers by the ever-present fear of deportation. By contrasting the differing treatment of Ukrainian refugees with other asylum seekers, we expose the underlying racism and highlight the need for compassion and consistent immigration policies. Kwajo's insights serve as a powerful critique of current government practices, prompting a call for empathy and fairness.

Finally, we shift focus to the undeniable contributions of migrants and asylum seekers to the NHS and society at large. Through compelling stories, the episode challenges misconceptions and spotlights the financial and emotional burdens these communities bear. We advocate for recognising housing as a basic human right and underline the importance of reforming housing and immigration systems. The episode stands as a testament to the resilience of these communities and our collective responsibility to address systemic neglect and prioritise human needs.

Tune in to this powerful first episode of Our Story, Your Voice to understand, empathise, and join the call for meaningful change.

Episode 1: Welcome to Our Story, Your Voice

In this introductory episode, we invite you to join us on a journey of empowerment, connection, and discovery. Our Story, Your Voice is a podcast dedicated to amplifying the voices of Black African women in Oldham, celebrating their stories of strength, resilience, and triumph.

Hosted by Agatha Phiri, Ruth Mbera, Lillian Mbekeka, Judith Nyanjowa, this podcast is a safe space to share personal experiences, explore unique challenges, and promote a sense of community. From discussions on mental and physical health to stories of overcoming adversity, we aim to shed light on the incredible lives of women whose voices deserve to be heard.

Tune in as we set the stage for what's to come—thought-provoking conversations, inspiring guests, and a commitment to creating awareness, solidarity, and change. Whether you're here to share, learn, or stand in solidarity, Your Story, Our Voice is for you.

This is more than a podcast; it’s a community. Let’s get started!