English4Equity

Not having enough English language to seek to access entitlements and seek their rights with dignity places asylum seekers & refugees at the lower end of any crisis. Access to Centres and offices with duties to address gaps they face and where barriers must be tackled is restricted and subject to strict control that set precedence for isolation and loneliness. Our idea is to provide a centre accessible 7 days for and run by themselves where they can invite locals’ native speakers to support their practical English. They say, give us the language and let us seek equity.

A Warm Welcome

Finding would enable us to offer a ‘Warm Welcome’ to a new group of adult members who have both mental and physical health issues.
They come to the club an average of 2 sessions per week, to chat, be with others in the same situation and to take part in some physical activity to help releave stress and isolation.
To be able to offer FREE hot drinks and some limited hot food would greatly enhance the sessions for this marginalized group, who are mainly but not exclusively older males.
Working with the group since September has identified the need

CityPlym Coummunity SUpport Hub

Our current initiative was launched in December 2019, in response to the needs of our student community. A group of Access to Higher Education students realised that a group of their peers were struggling financially and were often unable to afford basic food items. To address this issue they approached the students union for assistance in establishing a food bank, a project that has developed swiftly and supported many students, particularly during the lockdown period of COVID. In May 2022, due to the additinal services added (honelessness, personal hygiene, young parents, clothing) our initiative was relaunched: CityPlym Community Support Hub.

Y’s Group

Social isolation can have an enormous impact on people’s health and wellbeing including: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even death.

We have established a community group (the Y’s Group) aimed at reducing social isolation and loneliness for senior residents aged 65+.

Meeting weekly, the group take part in activities that enable them to improve both their mental and physical health. Activities include arts, crafts, sport and heritage and the residents are accompanied by several students from Discovery College to help develop intergenerational links.