Our Stories
Rkia's Story
Rkia Ibelaazi came to Sheffield from Tunisa on a spousal visa in November 2023. With very limited English language skills and no family or friends in South Yorkshire, moving to the UK with her partner seemed a difficult and daunting task at first. Keen to gain employment but unsure whereto start, Rkia was referred onto the Sheffield City Council ‘Sector Routeways Hospitality’ programme delivered by Equal Communities from our St Marys Hub at the back end of 2023. While Rkia performed well on the programme it was recognised during the course that given her employment barriers Rkia would instead perhaps benefit greater from the UKSP funded keyworker contract that Equal Communities deliver on behalf of Sheffield City Council across the Sheffield South LAC area.
In February 2024 Rkia was assigned her Equal Communitieskey worker, Fiona Dawson. Fiona worked with Rkia to look at her skills and address barriers identified as holding her back from gaining employment. With Fiona’s weekly support sessions, Rkia engaged in community led ESOL classes as a springboard towards her enrolling onto L1 English and a Communication Course delivered from St Marys. While studying to improve her communication skills within the community focussed settings where she felt most comfortable, Rkia and Fiona worked together on a weekly basis to explore wider aspects of her employability journey. These interventions ranged from practical exercises to improve Rkia’s confidence, exploring the employment opportunities within the local economy, articulating her transferable skills and building a CV.
Through this support Rkia eventually secured employment within the NHS at Lightwood House in Norton (South LAC) where she is now enjoying her new career.
Since arriving from Pakistan, Sonia had been concentrating on being a full-time mother to her two children and looking after the family home. With both children now attending school, Sonia wanted to find a job so that she could contribute to supporting her family financially.
Having no real idea of how to go about this, having never looked or applied for work before, she was looking for some help. She was referred to the ‘Equal Communities’ team by a family friend who had also used our service.
Sonia was quite shy and low on self-confidence. She had had little social interaction over recent years, other than with family and a few close friends, and so was nervous about entering into a new environment. An initial chat with her dedicated ‘Equal Communities’ Key Worker helped to put her at ease, explaining support we could provide and what we had to offered. Several gentle “get to know you” 1-2-1 sessions followed, where we looked at options and the best way forward for her. Sonia was then placed as a volunteer with the community foodbank and referred for food hygiene classes to help develop her social skills and to help build her confidence and gain some certificates to help her progress into work.
Working with her Equal Communities Key Worker, Sonia started to look at possible job opportunities. She was helped to prepare a CV and helped with job search and interview preparation. A successful application followed, and Sonia began work as support staff at a local school
“I am really enjoying the role and appreciating the independence it gives me, I feel proud that I am able to help support my family and thankful for all the help the team at ‘Equal Opportunities’ gave me.”
Sonia
Shazia came to ’Equal Communities’ after being referred by a previous client. She wanted to find part-time work to help ease her financial situation. She has had a difficult time over recent years with a challenging family situation to manage which meant that she had become increasingly isolated within her own close family environment.
An initial meeting was arranged with a Key Worker, for a relaxed chat, explaining about the support we could offer. At the first meeting it was clear that Shazia was very low on confidence and self-esteem, particularly lacking confidence with her spoken English and was evidently some way away from being job ready. Agreeing to meet with us in the first place was in itself a major step for her. One of the main concerns was the her lack of confidence when speaking English. Shazia was able to read and write in English but was not comfortable when speaking. The Key Worker held a series of sessions with Shazia to practice speaking English in an informal, relaxed atmosphere. As Shazia’s confidence slowly grew, the Key Worker then enrolled her on to English conversation classes, where she was able to mix with other people in similar situations.
Meetings with the Key Worker continued alongside the English conversation classes, and eventually Shazia felt ready to start looking for suitable part time work. A CV was prepared, and job search was undertaken. Shazia was helped through the application process, with job preparation and with mock interviews. Supported by the Key Worker she then began to apply for jobs. Shazia attended a couple of interviews without success but was not deterred. She continued to meet with her Key Worker and attend the English conversation classes and continued applying for jobs. Eventually she managed to secure employment and was absolutely thrilled
“I am so pleased. Thank you so much, I can’t believe the help and support I got for free, you went above and beyond what I expected! ”
Shazia
Partnership
EQUAL COMMUNITIES is proud to be working in partnership with community locations across the Sheffield South LAC area in delivering a "UK Shared Prosperity Fund" financed employment support service which we manage on behalf of Sheffield City Council and SYMCA
Lowedges Community Centre
Batemoor and Jordanthorpe Community Centre
St Marys Centre
ShipShape Centre
PARTNERSHIP
Lowedges Community CentreBatemoor and Jordanthorpe Community CentreSt Marys CentreShipshape Centre