What clients say

Despite coming to U.K. from Somalia in 2001, 35-year-old Salma Omar only spoke very limited English and never had the chance to learn English properly. It was not until last October that she enrolled in the Live in Your New Community course and found her life completely transformed.

"I had stayed in Wales and Wolverhampton before I moved to Coventry last year. I spoke only very little English. I stayed at home all the time. I did not have confidence in myself" recalled Ms Omar.

Graduating from the course in early April, the mother of six now engages in English conversations easily. But her knowledge of English is not the most valuable thing she has gained from the course, it is the new life that awaits her.

"I had never been to college before. This was the first course that I have attended. The course taught me everything. I have improved my knowledge, learned about life in the U.K., and been able to pass the Life in UK test. We learned computer skills, about laws in the U.K., the benefits system and the NHS".

"Im planning to go to college and take a ESOL course in September. Then I hope I will find a job in the future"

"The teachers are very patient. They know how to make us understand. They have so many ways to teach us. It's hard if you just learn yourself at home".

"Now I do voluntary work at the Coventry Peace House for the global citizenship project. I don't want to stay at home anymore. I am independent, and I like to meet different people. I can also teach my children schoolwork".

Ms Omar used to think about her war-torn homeland in Somalia all the time when she stayed in her accommodation on her own. But now she is less homesick and sees Coventry as her new home.