City of Wolverhampton Council has been successful with a bid for £293,560 of government funding to deliver an English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) Integration Project in the city.
The scheme will be managed by the council’s skills team and delivered in partnership with Adult Education Wolverhampton and community partners.
The money has come from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s integration fund.
It will support the delivery of community-based English language classes for new learners and clubs and activities to support English language practice and social integration, between September 2020 and March 2021.
The project will enable city residents to develop new skills, particularly English language skills within their own neighbourhoods, connecting them to places, spaces and people in their local area by helping them with tasks such as shopping in the High Street, using public transport or visiting the doctor.
Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “The city has a commitment to ensuring Wulfrunians live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives and we are committed to tackling inequalities.
“This funding is great news for the work we are doing in Wolverhampton with new communities.
“We are a city of diverse cultures and we wish to celebrate those cultures, bring them together and harness their creativity and productivity for the wider benefit of Wolverhampton.
“This will enrich our wider community and help to establish a cohesive, supportive and friendly community where everyone can thrive.”
The Council’s Adult Education Wolverhampton service will provide ESOL delivery to 150 participants as part of the scheme.
The council’s skills team working alongside Public Health has also identified a further 417 participants requiring learning and social mixing support through this initiative. Work in this area will be delivered by community partners in the city to ensure maximum reach throughout the city.
