Case Studies

Case Studies

We often forget when we celebrate the achievements of our clients that they, of course, have already achieved many things before settling in the UK.

That is why at Bridges we always start with what people bring with them.

Through reflection and auditing skills, we can build up a full picture of people, which in turn helps them make that transition to a new fulfilled and sustainable life.

Every client’s journey is unique and here are just some of the remarkable stories we have to tell;
 

Case Study 1

TD arrived in Scotland in April 2013 from Ethiopia where he was head of teaching at a local business IT college. On arrival in the UK, he lacked confidence in himself with little knowledge of the UK labour market.

By linking up with Bridges, he successfully completed the first Advanced Lifeskills course, boosting his confidence and personal development skills in preparation for future work placements and employment opportunities.

 He is currently volunteering at a local Internet café twice a week where he is responsible for all aspects of IT tutoring and support, while Bridges continue to support him find employment and develop his skills and training.

Case Study 2

AQ is from Somalia. Granted leave to remain in May 2013, she joined Brides in June. In just a few months she signed up to the Bridges Programmes/Open University programme and began working on the Reflection Toolkit modules, and is hoping to continue study with them.

Bridges helped her get her ILA and she has used this to complete a Food Hygiene course and an Emergency First Aid course.

AQ wants to have a career in Social Care and although she has no previous work experience in this area, an action plan has been created to help her take the necessary steps into employment.

She is now volunteering with the Royal Voluntary Service in their Home from Hospital scheme and has undertaken a 2 days per week work placement over several weeks in a care home where she has completed Moving and Handling training and is shadowing the care workers. Her renewed confidence and experience she has had here, combined with these essential training courses, means that she will soon move into paid employment.

Case Study 3

RM was a client with Bridges when he was an asylum seeker, completing two work placements. Restricted from working or studying at the level he wished to, he returned in 2013 having been granted Leave to Remain but he was doubtful about his chances of finding work due to his age.

RM is a toolmaker by trade but has been unable to work in the field for over 8 years, even though unable to work, he had been keeping up, where he could, with developments in his industry. He joined the Equipped for the Future course because we recognised his motivation and that the breadth of his previous experience (though from some time ago) was a positive advantage.

He was determined to return to toolkmaking, a challenge in a city where heavy industry has declined. However, his enthusiasm and drive coupled with the support from the course and the caseworkers, recognising and articulating his relevant competencies and experience, meant that a speculative letter to a company in East Kilbride resulted in an interview and subsequent job offer as a full-time toolmaker.

Case Sudy 4

AO is an asylum seeker from Ivory Coast and has been living in Scotland since 2011. A trained sociologist with an MSc in project management, she worked as part of a team dealing with influencing public policy in order to tackle poverty. Despite still waiting on a decision about her case she has taken every learning and volunteering opportunity available.

In February 2012, AO completed the Women’s Empowerment Course at Bridges to focus on her own personal development and despite the uncertainty of her future she decided, that she would herself train as a Bridges mentor in order to support another refugee/asylum seeking woman to settle in the City.

In order to keep her academic interests up to date she began to engage with the Open University through their Open Learn portal. And if that is not enough, she is a trained volunteer at Citizen’s Advice Bureau. She has also enrolled on Glasgow University’s ACTIVATE course, an access course in community development and as a result was admitted to do her HNC in Working with Communities at John Wheatley College which she is currently completing.

 She has recently taken up a research placement with the Poverty Truth Commission in Scotland and she continues to be an inspiration to everyone who meets her. She has taken the learning from Bridges and the Women’s Empowerment Course to heart and continues to set goals, be assertive, courageous and resourceful no matter how difficult her circumstances are.

Aneta's Story

Davood's Story

Alaa's Story

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