Since May this year, Refugees & Mentors and Rainbow Haven have worked in partnership to expand the Rainbow Haven Work Club in Gorton. The Work Club is part of Rainbow Haven's community drop-in, offering support and activities for refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants.
People using the work club have a wide range of overseas skills and experience, from lorry drivers to pharmacists, joiners to teachers. They face many hurdles rebuilding their lives in the UK, including learning English and digital skills. We've recruited volunteers who share the language of people using the centre and who have great digital skills, to provide flexible and individual digital skills support for clients.
On Thursday 27th September, volunteer Hassan had a one -to-one digital skills session with service user 'W', mostly in Arabic. At the time of the interview, these sessions had been going on for six weeks, with just two weeks to go. Some of the topics covered include how to use the internet, how to email, and how to use software such as Microsoft Word. At the end of the checklist they are working through, Hassan will go over everything they have covered, to ensure that 'W' feels confident in his digital skills, so he can manage day to day, or get a job.
If Hassan’s comments are anything to go by, this shouldn’t be a problem. When asked about ' W'’s progress, Hassan said “He has improved so much since he started, and he’ll improve more”.
'W' commented on how much his own confidence and skills has improved, saying “Before (I) couldn’t use a computer, now I can use email, use Microsoft Word”.
