Graduation event – training programme for the homeless & those in need

Organisation
Sadaka
Author
Zobia Kalim
Author's position
Project Manager
Article date
11 August 2021
Primary interest
Homelessness

Fifteen participants and 12 mentors were awarded certificates and trophies at a joyful graduation event held by the charity Sadaka on 24 July 2021. It was a celebration of what the mentors and mentees had achieved, despite many personal and communal challenges, as part of a project called ‘Step Up with Sadaka’.

Sadaka is a volunteer-led charity which aims to relieve poverty and social isolation in the local community, serving those who are homeless and/or financially disadvantaged without any judgement or bias. In 2020, Sadaka embarked on a new project, offering a wide portfolio of training and development prospects, and one to one mentoring to service users who wished to increase their self-confidence, impart new skills and ultimately pave the way to further education, volunteering and/or employment.

Over the last 9 months, the participants attended a wide variety of courses, ranging from workshops on subjects like Stress Management, Interview Skills and CV writing to longer courses in English, Maths, IT and vocational skills like Sewing. The project also offered a monthly book club which was very popular. They were supported throughout by volunteer mentors who guided them on their journey, based on their skills and interests.

The event marked the end of the first phase of the project, jointly funded by the European Social Fund and Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESF/ESFA). It was attended by Matt Rodda, MP for Reading East along with Sadaka trustees, partners, mentors and mentees. It was great to see how far the students had come over a very short period of time, and that too during a pandemic.

As one participant said: “I have been wanting to do this for a long time. All this creativity was dead inside me and is now coming alive. I am so grateful for the opportunity. I feel so empowered!”

‘Step Up with Sadaka’ will continue beyond this event, offering clubs, training & education opportunities and working with volunteer mentors and project partners like New Directions, Earley CresCent Resource Centre, Starting Point and others.