The Scottish Attachment in Action (SAIA) project ‘Why Attachment Matters to Black and Minority Ethnic Families’, funded by the Robertson Trust until June 2025, is entering an exciting second year.  

The project is being led by SAIA trustees, Gillian Neish and Edwina Grant.

The two themes for the project  are ‘Societal Power and Racism’ and ‘Attachment Theory into Practice’. Co-creation with organisations and individuals focused on these themes has been and will continue to be at the centre of planning and delivery. The overall aim of the project post the grant funding is for the work to be self-sustaining. 

Edwina Grant said “In the first year of funding we were doing the groundwork of connecting with individuals and organisations.  This progressed to inviting representatives to attend development workshops to bring people together to advise us on how the overall themes of social power and racism , and attachment could be delivered. 

Participants have really appreciated the safe spaces created for both learning about attachment and also for the sharing and reflection of their own attachment stories and how these are influenced by societal power and inequalities that they all face on a daily basis.”

Gillian McNeish said “This second phase of the project is exciting.  We will be working in partnership with several organisations. As well as delivering workshops for these partners we will also be training and supporting people within these organisations to deliver their own workshops which helps to ensure the project aim of being self-sustaining.”  

Gillian and Edwina are also focussed on continuing to connect with everyone they have worked with to date.  Open to all past participants (advisors and course members) is  ‘Staying Attached: Connect and Chat’ set up as safe spaces throughout the year which will take place online and in person.  

A few comments from last year:

 ‘I can honestly say it’s the best course I’ve done (and I’ve done lots).’ (Foster Carer)

‘I will take what I have learned and use it for my future children.'(Foster Carer)

‘I have enjoyed the whole course.  Safe, relaxed, enabling us each to tell our stories and reflect.  More Black and Asian women should have access to this.‘

‘I found it safe and challenging too.’

‘It would be good to develop a toolkit for attachment training for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups with support to learn how to deliver this.’

Coming up…

Hybrid course ‘Why Attachment Matters to Black and Minority Ethnic Families’

Joining the course in this way requires attendance at both Parts 1 & 2.

Part 1 -Takes place in Aberdeen city centre (Venue TBC) on Saturday 7th October in-person (10.00am – 4.00pm) Aberdeen city centre – venue to be confirmed. Part 2 – takes place on Thursdays 19th & 26th October and 2nd November 2023, online via Zoom (6.00pm – 8.00pm).  Child care costs and translators can be arranged. Find out more and book.

In Person course ‘Why Attachment Matters to Black and Minority Ethnic Families’

This in person, 2 day course is open to adults from black and minority ethnic communities. The dates are 11^th and 25^th November (10.00am to 4.00pm). The course will take place in Glasgow at the Renfield Centre, 260 Bath Street, Glasgow, Glasgow, G2 4JP.   Child care costs and translators can be arranged. Find out more and book.

Online course ‘Why Attachment Matters to Black and Minority Ethnic Families’ 

This online, 6 evening course is open to adults from black and minority ethnic communities.  Please note that you must be able to speak English to attend online as they don’t really work with using translators (please see our in-person course as an option). The dates are 30^th October, 6^th November, 13^th November, 20^th November, 27^th November, 4^th December.  (6.00pm to 8.00pm).  Find out more and book