Restart Scheme
There are many Participants on the Restart Scheme who aren’t fluent or native English speakers. As a result, there was a growing need at the Swansea office to schedule ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) classes into training programmes to help Participants to improve and develop their English.
As a result, a programme was created, focused around ESOL for Participants. The programme aims to help Participants:
Activities on the programme include:
Participants on the programme can work at different levels and are able to start at the right level for them.
The programme is a fantastic opportunity for participants to meet new people in similar situations and make friendships. Atiqullah Sediqi, a Restart Participant attending the programme, said:
Atiqullah has taken determined action to improve his circumstances, having recently moved from Cardiff to Swansea. Atiqullah has secured enrolment into ESOL at Gower College and regularly attended our Fluent Friends workshop to develop his English skills. In one of these sessions, he was assisted in completing an application to work at the Post Office with the team. He was later invited for interview, which resulted in him securing full time employment at the Sorting Office.
All Participants are also actively involved in other training programmes that are run by the Restart Scheme. Rahat Mahbuba and Bakhan Kadir are attending “Open for Learning” sessions at the Swansea office, where they are working towards qualifications to find suitable employment as Teaching Assistants, whereas Olga Suzdalieva is developing her skills in finance. Fahima Begum is working on developing and gaining her ESOL Entry Level 2 certificate.
Participants have benefited from meeting people in similar situations and making new friends. Participants will continue to attend Restart Scheme offices to develop their skills, and work with the team at People Plus to secure sustainable employment.
