Story & photo: Taibah Khan
I met Nuria Quintilla at her office in the SYAC building on the Wicker. Here Nuria is the Director and Senior Counsellor of the Women’s Resource Centre which offers professional counselling services and workshops for women from Black and Ethnic minorities.
I asked Nuria how she became involved in counselling:
“As a translator in London, I came across lots of people, asylum seekers, international students and refugees, many who could not speak English. So I set up a Saturday coffee morning where I taught English and helped with legal issues for free.”
Nuria found mental health issues were common amongst ethnic minority women, both Muslim and Non-Muslim.
“In Sheffield at the Purpose Of Life Centre, I ran a coffee morning where I provided free counselling for women who suffered from a range of mental health issues including depression, post-natal depression and sometimes schizophrenia.”
This centre closed but women still needed help, so Nuria set up an email account and phone line where women who really needed to talk could do so in confidence.
“I felt really motivated to get a degree in Counselling as so many people needed help.”
After gaining Open University qualifications, Nuria formed Al-Amen in SYAC because it’s easy for women to access from the Burngreave area. On Fridays women can come and discuss for free, any problems they may be having. Alongside counselling, workshops including Islamic will writing, household and time management and others are offered at various prices.
Nuria is now in the process of becoming registered with the NHS national register of counsellors, so that more women can access her skills.
For further information contact Nuria on 07506 691 773