{"id":1018,"date":"2021-04-14T04:53:36","date_gmt":"2021-04-14T04:53:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/refugeealliance.org.uk\/?page_id=1018"},"modified":"2025-05-28T22:48:55","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T22:48:55","slug":"projects","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/refugeealliance.org.uk\/?page_id=1018","title":{"rendered":"Projects"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Community engagement projects<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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With help from our partners we secured funding for many projects supporting communities across Birmingham over the years.\n
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Birmingham City Council<\/span><\/a>\n <\/span> Staffordshire County Council<\/span><\/a>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council<\/span><\/a>\n <\/span> Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust<\/span><\/a>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Community Connexions<\/span><\/a>\n <\/span> Aston University<\/span><\/a>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Stories of change<\/h1>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Marina\u2019s Story<\/strong><\/p>\n

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 \u2013 shopping, travel, education and general life in\n the UK.<\/p>\n

Life was very challenging at first. \u201cI did not know anyone, new people, new place. I was very scared. My English very little and my children small, very difficult for me.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Marina heard about RAI courses via her caseworker and joined the Driving Theory and Let\u2019s Chat online courses. She attended the courses regularly and enjoyed meeting other refugees in similar circumstances as well as learning about\n living in the UK.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Marina successfully passed the Driving Theory test after completing the course with RAI. She is now hoping to start practical lessons.<\/p>\n

\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Samiya\u2019s Story<\/strong><\/p>\n

Samiya Akbari came to the UK in 2024 from Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, she wasn\u2019t allowed to attend school as a child but says she always wanted to learn. <\/p>\n

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.\n We encouraged Samiya to join our Let\u2019s Chat Phonics to support her language development. <\/p>\n

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\u2019s activity group.<\/p>\n

From a very shy individual, Samiya became an advocate for women\u2019s empowerment within the cohort.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Click here to find more information about our recent activities on our Official Instagram account<\/span><\/a>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Projects completed – Birmingham City Council<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Variety of our projects include Literacy, Fitness, Well-being, Parenting and other activities.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Projects completed – Staffordshire County Council<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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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:<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Driving Theory<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Food Hygiene<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Nutrition & Health, Further & Higher Education \u2013 information, procedures & applications<\/p>\n

\u00b7 CV writing Skills<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Let\u2019s Chat for all levels<\/p>\n

\u00b7 <\/span>Get Active at Home<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Click here to find more testimonials from Ukrainian and Afghan participants and other reports as well as recent updates on our Official Instagram account<\/span><\/a>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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So far, over 100 individuals have benefitted<\/span>\n \n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n <\/span> from our services and have been able to make positive changes to their everyday lives throughout 2024 and 2025.\n
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Here are some testimonials:<\/h4>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Alvina\n
\u201cWhen I came to the UK English language no good, now better. For work I need good communication.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Alvina <\/p>\n

\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Viktor
\u201cIt is very comfortable to have classes online in the evening when I am back from work.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Viktor
\u201cAzra 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\u2019s easier for me to understand. Thank you Azra.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Oksana
\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Tetiana\n
\u201cObtaining theoretical driving knowledge, very valuable. This is what I was looking for\u2026 I wanted to learn more about the road situation in the UK.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Projects completed – Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n 2023 – Our Ukrainian students visiting Birmingham\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n 2023 – Boxing class at Anderton Park Primary School\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Approved by Sarah Hewitt-Clarkson, Head Teacher at Anderton Park Primary School\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n 2023 – Boating event organised for Syrian men with children\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n 2021 – Mental Health Awareness football match event for Syrian men organised in partnership with Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n 2022 – Women’s International Day Celebrations in partnership with Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n Variety of our projects include Literacy, fitness, parenting and other activities.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n 2020\/21 – Organised activities during lockdown in the UK\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n 2021 – Christmas party online – social-distancing style in partnership with Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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\n 2021 – Well-being sessions for Syrian women\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Our events<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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The variety of events that we have had the privilege to participate in reflects the needs of all communities throughout West Midlands.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Testimonials<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Don’t take our word for it – here’s what others have to say about us:<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Shah Wali Sangar<\/h5>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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former student<\/em><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Assalamualikum Everyone<\/p>\n

Hope you all are doing well.<\/p>\n

I was having my first theory test today and finally I successfully passed it.<\/p>\n

Thanks Azra sister for all her support and encouragement.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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SAMIM NOORANI<\/h5>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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former student<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Greetings and respect to the dear Teacher Azra Rasool.<\/em><\/p>\n

Today, I am very proud to write that I, one of your students who was in Driving theory classes, was able to pass my Driving theory Test Exam successfully today. Thank you for your hard work. And I have to be honest that your teaching was very useful for me in learning these lessons. I hope you will continue this lessons with other people who need to learn.<\/em><\/p>\n

Thank your dear Teacher.<\/em><\/p>\n

Best regards<\/em><\/p>\n

Your student Samim Noorani<\/em><\/p>\n

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Ahmed Hafez Rayan,<\/h5>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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former student<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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We provide the tools for and assist throughout the process of improving people’s life chances.<\/h4>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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Join us!<\/span><\/a>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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