dundee international women’s centre

Then and Now: Powerful success stories from learners at DIWC

24 July 2018 by diwc-admin 1 Comment

Then and Now: 3 powerful success stories from learners at DIWC

What do these two women have in common? They came along to DIWC and found classes where they could improve on their English, which then opened up job opportunities for each of them and helped to improve on their wellbeing. They share their stories here.

Ahu’s Story

“If I can get through this course despite health problems and studying with young children… anyone can.”

Then: When Ahu came to Dundee from Turkey, she knew barely a word of English. She had health problems and was caring for a young child while her husband worked. She was isolated and lacked confidence and self-esteem.

She joined DIWC’s cooking class where she developed a talent for demonstrating her own recipes. Meeting like-minded women gave her the confidence to try new things and she started English classes.

Now: With each success, Ahu has become more motivated to try new things. She studied at DIWC for her Driving Theory test and has since passed her driving test. She studies hard, whilst caring for two children, and is one of the first women at DIWC to pass all seven modules of ECDL.

By working hard and embracing all that DIWC offers, Ahu has managed to improve her social life, mental well-being, education and job prospects. She is truly inspirational.

Mariam’s Story

“I love coming here. I am learning skills to help me get a job I love.”

Then: Mariam moved to the UK from Mali with her husband. She spoke no English and he brought her to DIWC to learn. Mariam joined English classes and social groups and felt happy to be part of a community, meeting people from all around the world.

As her English improved, her confidence grew and she got a job working in a care home. Mariam continued to attend the centre, and she had two children whom she brought to Rise and Shine crèche.

In-between: Mariam completed an employability course in customer service at DIWC and did a placement on DIWC’s reception. Keen to gain more experience, she continued to volunteer in this role whilst expecting her third child and studying for her Driving Theory test.

Just three months after the birth of her third child, Mariam has returned to DIWC to continue to study the ECDL course.

Now: Mariam has passed her Driving Test and drives confidently every day. She has passed the ECDL course and with this experience and qualification, she has been working at DIWC for over two years as a receptionist.

Impact Story: How Samina overcame depression and found a job she loves

10 July 2018 by diwc-admin Leave a Comment

Finding it a struggle to get back into the workplace after having her children, Samina found the answer in DIWC’s employability course and has never looked back. Read her story below.

Starting a family and being a stay-at-home mum

As a mother of 3 children, Samina did not have many opportunities to come out of her house and do things just for herself.

She was married at the young age of 18 and had to secure employment to be able to bring her husband to the UK to join her. Two years after her marriage, she fell pregnant with her first son and had to quit her job.

After she had her second son, she managed to secure part-time employment, which she again decided to leave in planning for her third child.

The third pregnancy wasn’t a straightforward one and nor was the delivery. These events, and the fact that she was home with the children, mostly by herself, led to the first symptoms of depression and OCD.

Samina lived with depression for 8 long years and kept it to herself. It was only after her daughter started school that she realized that she was not coping well, and finally decided to do something about it. She really wanted to come out of her house and do things just for herself.

Finding a solution at the centre

Samina found out about DIWC’s Open Days and decided to come and see if there would be anything for her. She thought about going into employment but did not know where to start after so many years of not working. However, in that short visit, she managed to find an employability course which she liked and signed up for it.

She started the course a few weeks later. To begin with, she felt undecided and lacked confidence to speak in the group. She felt shy and found it hard to contribute in class. However, it didn’t take her long to realise that “everyone was in the same boat” and she was able to open up and express her opinions without hesitation.

Samina said: “I felt so comfortable and for the first time in my life I felt like being part of something”.

Samina completed 5 weeks of the employability course and was able to create her CV and fill out numerous application forms. She didn’t even have to take up the placement, as she soon gained employment following a successful application and interview.

Samina truly believes that she would not be anywhere close to finding a job if it was not for the help of DIWC, her tutors, and the other women who all believed in her and encouraged her to do more.

The GREAT employability course wasn’t just learning: “it was like a wee family coming in here!”

Looking to the future

Samina totally enjoys her work. When she’s there, she often wonders if she is in a dream, as she never felt it could happen to her. She is now a confident woman who believes in her skills and strengths.

“The centre gave me my life back”, she admits, as she managed to overcome her OCD with a daily routine of getting ready to come out of her house and do something that means so much to her. “I feel so free and relaxed.”

Through her determination and hard work, Samina achieved her goals and became a role model for her family who are really proud of her achievements.

Impact Story: How Joanne re-built her life in Dundee after 14 years in Yemen

2 July 2018 by diwc-admin Leave a Comment

Having been uprooted from her home in Yemen, Joanne then found the strength and support at DIWC to continue with her career and is now teaching English to women from the Middle East. Read her story here…

Leaving my home and friends behind

The event that triggered my journey with DIWC happened at the end of January 2015, when I was evacuated from Yemen, the country where I had been living and working for over 14 years.

I had been an ESOL teacher in the capital, Sana’a, in the north of the country. I had a job I loved, a home I was very happy in, with a great landlord, and a very good and close circle of friends, both local and international.

Yemen is a very poor country and, although life was not the easiest, with daily (sometimes lengthy) power cuts and water shortages, I considered myself very fortunate and had not even considered what else I may do or where else I may go. This was home.

The political situation was becoming more difficult and dangerous by October/November of 2014. The institute I was working in had a branch in Aden, in the south of the country; because it was considered safer, I was transferred there temporarily.

I went there with the bare minimum of clothes and personal belongings. As it was thought the move would only be for a very short time, I kept my house in Sana’a. Over the next 2-3 months, however, the situation only got worse and resulted in the decision being made to evacuate me, and the other foreign teachers, at the end of January 2015.

Coming to the UK to find a safe place to live

As I did not have a home in Dundee of my own, I stayed with my mother. I was not too concerned at this point, as I came to Scotland with the assurance that the political situation would ‘blow over’. However, that was not to be.

As time went on. it became clear that returning to Yemen would not be an option. I began looking at my options: either find a job here or return overseas to work somewhere. At this point, I had to have local friends clear out my home and distribute my belongings to wherever there was a need.

I could not have anything shipped, as all the seaports and airports were closed (embargoed) and the roads were too dangerous for transportation. This was an extremely painful decision, as I would lose all my personal possessions, including family photographs. But, more than that, it was the fact I was closing the door. I had to accept that I was not going back.

Settling into life here and overcoming sad times

As I settled back into life in Dundee, I began to think about what I wanted to do. I started looking for work. The problem was that I had been out of the job market here in the UK for so long and my skills/training were out of date.

Even though I had years of experience, I was finding it very difficult to get any responses to applications. My self-esteem was at an all-time low. I had absolutely no confidence whatsoever and that showed in my applications, as well as my demeanour.

It got to September 2015 and I had been back in Dundee for about 8 months. I had continued to live with my mother, whose health was in decline. I had been out one day with a friend for some coffee when I came home – my mother looked awful.

She asked me to make her some soup. I did that, and she came to the kitchen to eat it. She ate very little and got up to go back through to the living room. She sat down in her chair. After a few seconds, I came through and sat down beside her. She slumped forward in her chair and she was gone.

I did not realise at the time how traumatised I was; I carried on with every-day life. I have two sisters and a brother. My mother’s house was her own and in accordance with her wishes, it was to be sold and the proceeds shared equally between us.

It took a few months for all her affairs to be settled but, in the end, the house sold within a week of being put on the market. I found myself looking for another place to live. This was not an easy task. I did not find a place until a week before the new owners’ entry date.

To sum up, within a few months I had lost two homes and my mother.

Turning to volunteering to help me through the tough times

It was at some point around this time that I thought about volunteering. I had heard of DIWC but did not know where they were based now. I searched the Internet and found their website. I applied online but did not hear anything.

One day a friend, Janie, suggested I go into the centre and talk to someone. I did and spoke to Vicky, a very lively, caring and enthusiastic Volunteer Co-ordinator. I completed an application and started volunteering there in November 2015.

I have helped in ESOL classes, as well as open days etc. Being around the women from so many nationalities and backgrounds has been a huge encouragement; hearing their stories and sharing their lives has been such an inspiration to me.

I came as a volunteer, but I have gained much more than I have given. I can truly say that I have found a second home and regained some of my confidence through the help and encouragement of the women and staff who come to the centre.

Finding employment with the help and support of the centre

As I live alone with no one else to depend on, a job was a priority for me. I really love volunteering at the centre, but it does not pay the bills! At the Centre, I was able to complete a GREAT course, which gave me help and advice in making job applications, and an eight-week job placement, which built up my confidence and updated some of my administration skills.

Two months ago, I found a job working with a group of women from the Middle East, teaching them English. It seems like it was tailor-made for me. As it is only for twenty hours a week, I would like to continue volunteering at the centre, doing what I can to support the work they do there.

The biggest lesson I have learned is not to take anything for granted. We cannot prepare for the completely unexpected events in life, but we are responsible for our reaction to them. Take each day as it comes and try to make something positive out of it.

Also try to see the best in people. We do not know what circumstances they are in that may be affecting their behaviour. I have also learned a great deal about how strong and resilient women can be as they help and encourage each other.

Meet the Volunteer: Lynne’s journey from learner to class tutor

24 May 2018 by diwc-admin Leave a Comment

Meet the Volunteer: Lynn’s journey from learner to class tutor

Having started out as a class attendee, Lynne made the decision to share her knowledge and time to become a volunteer at DIWC. This took her from learner to class tutor and she shares her story here.

How it all began

My story started 4 years ago, when I began attending DIWC’s cooking class as a learner. I started the class as a way to cheer myself up and do something a wee bit different. I was experiencing health issues and was feeling really sorry for myself, as my children were growing up fast and didn’t need me as much as when they were younger.

After about a year of attending the class, I was asked if I would like to become a volunteer in the Basic Arts & Crafts class, as I was a very crafty person with many art skills. I jumped at this opportunity!

This started my volunteering journey at DIWC, supporting the learners to take part in art activities in the class. I enjoyed this very much, as the group was very welcoming and friendly. And I was still able to attend my favourite cooking class, as well as volunteering.

How my role evolved into teaching

Over time, I found that, in the cooking class, I began acting as a mentor to new learners. I would take my time to chat with them and encourage them to participate in every session. The teacher noticed this, and offered me a new voluntary role, where I could assist her by supporting all the new learners. I was very pleased at this and it has really helped to increase my confidence and self-esteem.

The Basic Arts & Crafts class evolved from supporting the teacher to becoming the class tutor, where I planned and delivered the art sessions to the learners. I loved this role even more, as it used all my art skills and knowledge. I enjoy watching the learners creating art projects and seeing the pride that they felt once they had finished their project.

Teaching arts and crafts

As the Basic Arts & Crafts class was a success, I was asked if I could run a few blocks of crafts recycling sessions. I loved this idea and began volunteering another morning each week at DIWC, delivering Make Do & Mend sessions.

This was a great way for women to learn how to recycle old materials that they had at home. The class was a hit with learners and it now has a permanent place on DIWC’s timetable.

Fundraising so that others can participate in the classes too

Outwith the classes, I recently helped the Volunteer Coordinator to create DIWC’s fundraising group. We meet on a regular basis to plan new ways to raise funds, which will provide opportunities for more women to participate in DIWC classes and events.

As part of this group, I helped to establish the coffee shop as a way to raise money. I bake cakes and sell refreshments several times a week, alongside my other voluntary roles.

I feel that DIWC is an amazing place which is very uplifting and inspirational to all women who attend. It is a great pleasure to be part of. There are many ways you can get involved by donating your time and skills.

Life as a Trustee: Mariam shares her story, from Youth Board Member to Trustee

21 November 2017 by diwc-admin Leave a Comment

Mariam has been coming to DIWC since the age of 13, when she joined Macara Youth Group. Through opportunities offered by the Centre, she went from being a Youth Board Member to becoming a Trustee and shares her role and the challenges she faces.

What is Dundee International Women’s Centre (DIWC)?

Dundee International Women’s Centre is an organisation dedicated to helping women, particularly those from Black and Ethnic Minority communities, by providing them opportunities to achieve three aims; engagement, education and self-empowerment.

Through engaging with an age demographic from toddlers in the crèche to elderly women in the Bazorg group, the Centre provides activities which support these women to work towards goals that were previously unavailable or subjectively unachievable.

DIWC is an organisation that creates a family for women who are isolated.

How did I get involved?

From the age of 13, I attended the Macara Youth Group within the Centre. Being 22 years of age now, I have volunteered in different roles in the Centre for a number of years.

One of the opportunities the Centre offers is for a youth member to sit on the Board as a Youth Board Member. I was offered this opportunity at 17 years old, and first started on the board at 18. In this position as a Youth Board Member, it allows the young person to learn about the organisation from a more strategic and managerial perspective. It also provides them with an opportunity at a young age to work alongside professional women who provide them with insight into the organisation, as well as their relevant fields of work.

After a year and a half, my role was changed to a full Board Member, meaning I could make decisions about all aspects of the organisation. I have been on the board for 4 years and have continued to learn, understand, and apply the new skills I have acquired.

Future Plans?

Our plans for the future are to carry on with the work we do, by trying constantly to reach out to more women in the black and ethnic minority community. Additionally, in the future we would like to expand our organisation by providing services that can help the communities we are trying to target. By accommodating to the needs of our learners, we can create an organisation that is more orientated towards them and achieve a long lasting impact on those individuals. Personally, I intend to remain on the board to try and further increase my skill set, and gain more insight with the ever evolving and changing organisation DIWC is.

What’s My Role?

My role on the Board of Trustees is to act as a Board Member in order to make strategic decisions for the organisation. I work alongside other trustees to discuss these issues with an intention to find a mutual decision which best suits the needs of our learners.

What Are The Challenges?

The challenges for me have evolved with my time on the Board. Initially, due to being very young, the challenges included voicing my opinion and having the confidence to discuss matters arising in meetings. As time went on this confidence built, and I am now able to provide useful and interesting opinions that are appreciated and valued by my colleagues. The next challenge was being able to fully understand what the organisation was, and what we represented as a group. This became clearer once we as an organisation collectively created our vision, mission, aims and objectives. It became clear what we wanted to achieve, which helped with my own understanding of the organisation.

The challenges now include trying to be in the organisation more and keep up with new individuals joining, as well as trying to attend as many events within the centre as possible. I feel it is important to be personally involved in the centre in order to be an effective Board Member. This is an objective of mine that I constantly try to work on. Although the commitment of being a board member can be time consuming and difficult with other responsibilities, being given the opportunity to make a difference like this has always kept me motivated and grateful.

Why Do I Do It?

My initial reason for becoming a Trustee was to increase my experience and I saw it as a great opportunity. In addition to this, I was very passionate about equality for women and particularly with helping diverse women from a range of communities.

Once I had become a Trustee I realised the potential to help so many individuals and it inspired me to stay on the board and genuinely make a difference. I feel that by being a Trustee I help to achieve a common goal of helping women become the best version of themselves. I continue to be passionate about what we do, and witness the difference in the women that attend our centre.

Mariam Okhai