Dundee International Women’s Centre

Learning from locals: How ‘new Scots’ are benefitting from peer 2 peer education

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DIWC launches new Peer 2 Peer education programme

Providing new Scots with opportunities to meet and learn from locals

DIWC has been running a successful peer 2 peer education pilot programme in partnership with the Scottish Refugee Council over the past few months.

This programme was developed to complement the current local authority ESOL provision, using a peer education approach to provide new Scots with opportunities for language acquisition outside the classroom and a space to share information about the local area.

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The first step was to recruit and train volunteer peer educators who would then lead the peer education sessions. 8 talented volunteers came forward and split into two teams. Since March they have been facilitating a women-only group and a mixed group on a weekly basis.

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Each group brings together new Scots and locals in a warm and friendly setting.

Week after week, these local members of diverse ethnic community groups have strengthened their friendship links, getting involved in activities aimed at showing that they had a lot in common. They have learnt from one another’s life experiences. This, in turn, has helped to improve their language skills in English and Arabic in an informal context.

They have also planned activities in the local community to increase their social connections.

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Recently, our women-only group went for a walk. They finished up with a tasty lunch in Broughty Ferry with members of local walking groups. Our mixed group played tennis in Dawson Park with local tennis pals and enjoyed a tasty lunch too!

To find out about the other classes DIWC offers click here.

#WomenOfDundee: How moving to the UK gave Ayda a chance to volunteer

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#WomenOfDundee: How moving to the UK gave Ayda a chance to volunteer

Having lived and studied in Canada for 10 years, Ayda has now moved to Dundee and to help her settle she offered to volunteer at the DIWC sharing her IT knowledge. Read her story here…

Moving to a new country

I was born and brought up in Iran. My parents and brother still live there, but I moved to Canada at the age of early 20 and lived there for more than 10 years.

Growing up in Iran was amazing. It is a peaceful nation. Women are highly educated and treated equally, we drive and have our independence. That is not what the media portray about my country.

I did my Undergraduate in Iran where I studied Physics, but I moved to Canada because my husband got an admission there. After a while being in Canada, I decided to do my Masters in Geophysics. Adjusting to life here was not very hard as I kept myself busy studying and working. Also, my father treated me equally like my brother as he wanted me to have good education and career just like my brother. So I never felt the difference moving from a Middle Eastern nation to a western one, but I definitely miss my family and friends.

Making the most of learning

My husband and I were high school lovers. We were friends for a long time, then we became serious during the first year of University. In Iran when you complete high school you need to sit for an exam to enter the University. The exam is very hard. My boyfriend and I, at that time, were serious about taking the exam and waited until after passing it to take our relationship more seriously. I was only 17 at that time.

I believe that human being will always adapt to the changes they are going through.

A new life in a new country

My husband got a job transfer to England about 6 months back and we then made the move here. We wanted to try new adventures in life. I think Dundee is a great city. Sometimes I miss Canada. I feel like Canada is like my home since I was working and settled to

I think Dundee is a great city, but sometimes I miss Canada. I feel like Canada is like my home since I was working and had settled into life there. At the moment I do not have a job in Dundee and I miss my friends. However, the weather here is better than in Canada and it’s a nice city. I go back to Iran every now and then to visit my family too.

Finding my way through volunteering

I started coming to DIWC recently as I was looking for a volunteer opportunity and one of my friends introduced me to the centre. I now volunteer at the IT class. I enjoy helping people and I learn a lot through this process myself, so I am enjoying my time here.

I hope in the future I can get a full-time job. I hold a certificate in business as well but I am not sure which direction I will go in terms of looking for a job. I am keeping my options open to the opportunities available out there. I have a lot hopes for the future.

I believe that human being will always adapt to the changes they are going through. Life is sometimes hard. You can either fight it or learn to live with it. We have to keep fighting in life but not fight with things that are beyond our control.

Ayda #womenofdundee

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