From Iran to London: Shirin’s story of Survival
When Shirin* first heard her own language on the phone, she burst into tears.
After months of isolation on the edges of West London, far from community and familiarity, that small moment of connection became a turning point. Like many Iranian women we support, her story is one of courage and resilience, shaped by protest, displacement and the search for safety. We wanted to bring you her story, in her own voice.
Shirin, 52, is one of a number of Iranian women who attend our Touching Safe Ground Project which holds sessions for asylum seekers, refugees and migrant women.
We first met her while she was staying in a temporary hostel in Bethnal Green, where we run weekly sessions. She was later moved to the outer edges of West London, where she knew no one.
When our Outreach Worker called to invite her back to Bethnal Green for our weekly sessions, speaking to her in her own language, she burst into tears of relief. She has been attending the sessions ever since.
Shirin’s story:
“I came here after Mahsa Amina, a 22 year old Iranian Kurdish girl, died after being arrested and beaten by the morality police for not wearing her hijab in the ‘correct’ way.
There was a sudden eruption of protests across Iran and I took part, alongside many other women. As protestors we called for ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’, these were our slogans and they spread across the country. Then the security forces came after us, and arrested and imprisoned many people. This is when I hid and fled.”
Thousands of people, led by women and girls, protested across the country. The response was violent, with hundreds killed, thousands arrested, and many women subjected to detention, abuse and intimidation, according to human rights organisations.
“We were fighting for freedom,” Shirin continues. “Freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom to go to work, equal gender rights. It’s not about whether I wear a hijab or not, a miniskirt or not. It’s much more than that.
Back home I used to be a school teacher, then I became a head mistress of a girls secondary school. I was very active and I was always with people, I was a leader at school and at home I was organising everyone. I led a local hiking group into the mountains on weekends. I always had a role and many friends.
When I landed here I was sent to Devon, then Bristol, then East London and now far West London, I lost my sense of identity. I didn’t know who I was or where I was. I was very disorientated. I felt completely alone. It was agony.
My husband got here 4 months ago which is a miracle but his situation is not good, He is very depressed. He is in shock. When I am with him in West London I stop talking, I feel very low, because of our situation. He doesn’t speak any English yet which makes it very hard.
When I heard there was a group for women doing yoga and talking in English I leapt at it, so I could feel better and meet women like me, and practice this new language I am learning.
These weekly sessions are a lifeline. The yoga and talking about our experiences, and life here, and how we can stay well in ourselves helps me feel Ok and keep going. The yoga and moving the body helps me to relax and being together is so important. Everyone is friendly and kind. I look forward to coming to Touching Safe Ground all week every week. It’s a lifeline for me.”
At Touching Safe Ground, this sense of transformation is echoed across the group. Feedback from participants in February 2026 showed just how meaningful the sessions have been, with 96% reporting increased self-confidence and a stronger sense of community, and 91% noting improvements in both their physical and mental health. 78% also shared feeling more confident speaking English.
These aren’t just statistics, but reflections of women beginning to feel more connected, supported and at ease within themselves.
At least I’m alive and I have this community. The war now is terrible, I am terrified for all our family and friends. Some of my cousins were killed in the recent January uprising sparked by food prices and economic distress. People are suffering even more with this war. I experienced the Iraq-Iran war when I was a young girl, and I’m completely against war. It doesn’t solve anything. War is not the answer”.
No one should have to carry this alone. By supporting Touching Safe Ground, you help create safe, welcoming spaces for women rebuilding their lives after trauma. Donate, volunteer, or partner with us to ensure more women like Shirin can access care, connection and community.
*Not her real name