With help from our partners we secured funding for many projects supporting communities across Birmingham over the years.

Marina’s Story

Marina came to the UK with her family and were housed in Burton-On- Trent. Initially, Marina and her children relied very heavily on her husband to help her with every aspect of life – shopping, travel, education and general life in the UK.

Life was very challenging at first. “I did not know anyone, new people, new place. I was very scared. My English very little and my children small, very difficult for me.”

Marina heard about RAI courses via her caseworker and joined the Driving Theory and Let’s Chat online courses. She attended the courses regularly and enjoyed meeting other refugees in similar circumstances as well as learning about living in the UK.

“The courses help me in many ways. I have more confident to speak English, I learn many different things, I learn to improve my reading. We learn about many things help me in my life. I make new friends this is good for my mental and I feel more happy.”

Marina successfully passed the Driving Theory test after completing the course with RAI. She is now hoping to start practical lessons.

“I am very very happy, I pass the test with the help of Miss Azra. Now I want to learn drive so I can help my family. I can help my husband. I can take my children school and shopping.”

Samiya’s Story

Samiya Akbari came to the UK in 2024 from Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, she wasn’t allowed to attend school as a child but says she always wanted to learn. 

Samiya spoke very little English and was extremely shy. She was able to join the online classes with the help of her support worker from Refugee Action. She joined our Driving Theory course initially and relied heavily on our interpreter. We encouraged Samiya to join our Let’s Chat Phonics to support her language development.

Over the time she spent with us, her confidence levels increased and her participation levels too. She encouraged other Afghan ladies to join the classes and enrolled her own children on the children’s activity group.

From a very shy individual, Samiya became an advocate for women’s empowerment within the cohort.

We have been working across Staffordshire for over 2 years, supporting the newly resettled communities. We have worked successfully with both the Ukrainians and Afghans delivering our popular courses:

· Driving Theory

· Food Hygiene

· Nutrition & Health, Further & Higher Education – information, procedures & applications

· CV writing Skills

· Let’s Chat for all levels

· Get Active at Home

Alvina
“When I came to the UK English language no good, now better. For work I need good communication.”

Alvina

“I enjoyed the Driving theory course. I can understand the road signs now. Important for safety. I know some rules about the road regulations. Is important for me.”

Viktor
“It is very comfortable to have classes online in the evening when I am back from work.”

Viktor
“Azra knows how to motivate and push me to learn more and feel better. Now I can see I become more confident in speaking and reading and it’s easier for me to understand. Thank you Azra.”

Oksana
“I now have basic knowledge of the English language and an understanding of how to survive with children in a foreign country. For example, how to make an appointment with a doctor.”

Tetiana
“Obtaining theoretical driving knowledge, very valuable. This is what I was looking for… I wanted to learn more about the road situation in the UK.”

Don’t take our word for it – here’s what others have to say about us: