Day: December 17, 2024

English classes for New Scots

Scots to settle into life in Scotland

Refugees, people seeking asylum and other forced migrants in Glasgow are benefitting from English classes to help them integrate into communities, supported by £500,000 in Scottish Government funding which will help 800 learners.

The classes are helping people who have been forced to flee their country gain the language skills needed to rebuild their lives in Scotland, communicate confidently with people in their new communities and establish and strengthen their social connections.

On a visit to Glasgow Clyde College, Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart met people who are benefitting from the classes.

Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart said: “Scotland has a proud history of welcoming people of all nationalities and faiths, including those seeking sanctuary from war and persecution. We’re committed to helping those who find refuge in Scotland to settle into their new communities.

“As a refugee or a person seeking asylum whose first language is not English, having the opportunity to learn English opens up a world of possibilities – from being able to interact confidently with people, to taking part in community events and making new friends.

“Learning English will also make the process of finding work easier, which I know is a key priority for many New Scots.”

“It was great to visit Glasgow Clyde College to meet some of the people who are benefitting from these classes and hear about the real difference that language skills are making to their lives.”

Karzan Mahmood from Iraq said: “Learning English has meant everything to me. When I was in my country I couldn’t go to school or college.

“When I came here I actually couldn’t write a word. I started in a class for beginners. The teachers have been brilliant, really helpful, unbelievable. Now I can write paragraphs, formal and informal emails, everything like that.

“I’m in the Intermediate class now. Next year I want to go to Upper Intermediate and then look for work in IT or accounting.”

Sohail Siraj from Pakistan said: “I am nearly halfway through my Higher English (ESOL) lessons at Glasgow Clyde College and so far it’s been an amazing experience with a great learning environment.

“The teacher himself has a very calm and cool manner and I love the way he teaches, always motiving and at the same time testing your limits. I love every minute of my time spent here and I wish there were more than two classes a week.

“Being there simply lifts my spirits and motivates me to do more.”

Nataliia Yanishevska from Ukraine said: “Participating in the Higher English (ESOL) course at Clyde College has been incredibly beneficial for both my volunteering activities and daily life.

“The course improved my confidence in communicating effectively in English, enabling me to lead workshops and engage with diverse groups. It also strengthened my skills for everyday interactions and professional growth.”

EIJB Decision Day: Edinburgh’s Third Sector calls for clarity on future funding

It has been six weeks since the decision by the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board (EIJB) to retain the Third Sector Grants Programme, worth £4.5 million, until the end of this financial year.

While a much-welcomed reversal of the initial proposal to pull the grant from 64 charities from January 2025, the forecasted cuts have left many of these registered charities in Edinburgh in doubt over their long-term future.

Edinburgh Community Health Forum strategic development manager Stephanie-Anne Harris, said: “Without the necessary funding, closures are inevitable. These community-led charities cannot afford to exist without long-term public funding, and the threat of this being removed is hanging over their heads, preventing future planning.

“Edinburgh Health Community Forum has heard from many member organisations that are expecting to have to start the process of shutting down in January due to the EIJB’s decision.”

One such organisation is the Murrayfield Dementia Project, which provides lunch clubs and day services for those who are elderly and frail or living with early-stage dementia.

The termination of the EIJB funding will remove this service from the 20 members who attend each week, with repercussions for their carers and families. It will also result in five members of staff being made redundant and eight voluntary opportunities being stopped.

Jenny Rowe, Project Coordinator at Murrayfield Dementia Project, said “The EIJB reprieve has only prolonged the inevitable. As a small, community organisation, we need to know whether future funding will be made available, and if not, we will be forced to close.

“The loss of vital services, such as Murrayfield Dementia Service will not only impact those who directly benefit from them. Without the support offered by Third Sector organisations, we will undoubtedly see an increased pressure on Scotland’s wider health and social care services, which are already at breaking point”.

This is exemplified in the case of Phonelink Edinburgh, a twice-daily check call service for the over 60s that offers social interaction, medication prompts, welfare and safety checks, and eating and drinking prompts.

Kellie Mercer, Manager of Phonelink Edinburgh, commented “Phonelink Edinburgh receives £89,000 in funding from the EIJB grant.

“Among other check-ins, we carry out 128 medication prompts twice daily, 7 days a week. The estimated cost for Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) to do the same would be £256,960 – and that is without considering the other welfare and safety services Phonelink Edinburgh offers.”

A Therapy Assistant Practitioner from the  Western General Hospital gave a real life example of the importance of the Phonelink Service: “A patient was medically fit for discharge but needed medication prompts to allow this to happen.

“So Phonelink was contacted by email for a twice daily medication prompt. The email was received at 3.48pm,  the service set up at 4.30pm,  with the patient discharged that evening,  and the service started at 7.30pm.

With unprecedented budgetary challenges facing the EIJB, and the necessary shifting in strategic priorities, the cessation of the Third Sector Grants Programme may well be unavoidable.

If this is to be the case, Stephanie-Anne Harris argues for a planned transition with interim support made available:

“Sufficient time and planning must be given to avoid devastating consequences for Edinburgh’s most vulnerable citizens.

“This requires a collaborative approach, including Third Sector representatives, NHS Lothian and the City of Edinburgh Council to establish a clear timeline and secure alternative funding to prevent the immediate loss of vital services which currently benefit over 50,000 people across Edinburgh.

 “Without Edinburgh charities and Third Sector organisations, the fabric of the community collapses. It is imperative that together we carve out a sustainable future for the City’s Third Sector, one that delivers high-impact services, strengthens community resilience, reduces pressure on statutory services and achieves better outcomes for Edinburgh’s most vulnerable citizens.

“We urge Edinburgh City Council and the EIJB to step up, provide clarity, and commit to funding that ensures these vital organisations can continue their essential work beyond the end of March 2025. ”

Appeal to trace 22-year-old Santra Saju

 POLICE in Edinburgh are appealing for assistance in tracing 22-year-old Santra Saju who has been reported missing from the South Gyle area.

Santra was last seen about 8.30pm on Friday, 6 December, 2024 in the Burnvale area of Livingston.

Her current whereabouts are unknown and her friends and family are becoming increasingly concerned.

She is described as being 5ft 6 inches tall, Indian ethnicity, slim build, short black hair and last seen wearing a black jacket with a fur hood.

Inspector George Nisbet from Corstorphine Police station says “Santra has not been seen for a number of days now and this is completely out of character for her.

“Her current whereabouts are unknown and her family and friends are becoming increasingly concerned about her.

“If you believe you have seen Santra or have any information please contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 3390 of Sunday, 15 December 2024.”