About Umay
Umay is a migrant community-led organisation working across South West London.
We create safety and possibility for migrant women, children, young people, and support organisations to prevent harm, respond with care, and build inclusive communities.
The Meaning Behind Our Name
Umay takes its name from an ancient female protector of women and children from Anatolia.
It also carries the meaning of “you may” — permission to be safe, to grow, and to rise.
Why we exist
Our work begins with real lives.
Years of frontline practice, community engagement, and research revealed that many migrant women experience language barriers, isolation, financial dependency, and limited access to culturally responsive support.
While specialist services play a vital role, there remains a need for earlier intervention, prevention, and community-based support.
Umay was created to help women find safety, rebuild confidence, and create new opportunities while supporting organisations to strengthen safeguarding, inclusion, and compassionate practice.
Umay SAFE
Building safety, awareness, and connection.
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Healthy relationships
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Early intervention
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Community connection
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Culturally responsive support
The Core Pillars of Our Work
Safe, Grow, and Rise
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Mindfulness-informed programmes
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Self-compassion
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Confidence building
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Peer support
UMay GROW
Building confidence, wellbeing, and resilience.
Umay RISE
Creating opportunities for lasting change.
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Stronger communities
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Inclusive organisations
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Leadership and safeguarding
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Sustainable prevention
what makes umay dıfferent
Addressing the Gap
Responding to unmet needs through culturally responsive, prevention-focused support.
Prevention Focused
Helping women and organisations recognise challenges early and respond before harm escalates.
Community Led
Built with lived experience and shaped alongside migrant women and communities.
Evidence Informed
Combining frontline experience, research, and best practice to guide everything we do.
Partnership Based
Working alongside specialist services, public organisations, and community partners to create lasting change.
OUR TEAM
Sinem Aksay
Job Title
With more than 25 years of professional experience across IT and
telecommunications, sales and customer experience management, Sinem later
transitioned into training, completing a Master’s degree in the UK grounded in
contemplative psychology. She brings together expertise in leadership, compassion-
based practice and violence against women and girls. She has worked directly with
women affected by domestic abuse and has extensive experience designing and
delivering training on healthy relationships, safeguarding and compassionate
practice. Drawing on lived experience, frontline work, research and her commercial
background, she founded UMAY to strengthen prevention, support migrant women
and help organisations create safer, more inclusive communities.
Yunus Emre Berk
Job Title
With more than 25 years of experience as a legal professional, Emre specialises in
technology, data protection, digital regulation and AI governance. Alongside his legal
career, he has extensive experience with social responsibility projects and NGOs,
providing legal counsel as well as playing an active role in their management.
Drawing on this combined legal, governance and social impact experience, Emre is
a founding member of UMAY and leads its legal and governance matters.
Pınar Cangir Ustun
Job Title
With more than 20 years of experience in finance, audit, risk management and
corporate governance, Pınar has held senior roles across international organisations
and professional services. Her career includes leadership positions at Informa,
CarrefourSA and PwC, alongside extensive experience in internal controls, risk and
governance. Drawing on this expertise, she serves UMAY as a founding member
responsible for financial oversight and governance.