We have successfully completed this project funded by NLDCF during 05/06. Through this project we engaged 390 new learners from BME background whereas we were suppose to engage 190. 214 progressed on to further training and 178 were helped in to basic skills provision.

Inspired Sisters Make A Difference

Funded by NLDCF, this project engaged over 250 new women in to different trainings and qualifications.

Learndirect:

We have delivered Learndirect to over 1000 BME women from March 03 to July 06. Also, as part of Learndirect we have delivered qualifications such as Basic Skills on Level 1 and 2 and new CLAiT.

ELEVATE:

Elevate was a project where we mentored other small community groups. The project was delivered in partnership with NEARIS, MAES and Basic Skills Consortium. Our target was to engage 90 new learners into a taster. From this we had to get 60 on to First Step learning.

We exceeded our taster target and got 59 people on to first step learning.

Inspired Sisters on the
Road to Success

The first successful pilot scheme was setup in 2003 involving 10 local women funded by Community Chest and a triumphant continuation project for 25 women from diverse backgrounds in the community.

We have since developed the course and presently have over 50 women on a waiting list who desire to participate in this project. We therefore hope to make this happen for these 50 women through Neighbourhood Learning in Deprived Community Fund ( NLDCF) in 2005/2006.

This project has already enabled 35 local women to learn and pass their driving test. The project covers all aspect of learning how to drive from preparing for the theory test to passing the practical. This included help with applying for a provisional license, classroom
based    sessions    to    learn driving theory, health & safety on the road, the law, practical lessons and ultimately passing the driving test. The project has enabled women in hard to reach groups to become mobile, independent and be able to access to learning and services in the community.

The project aims to help them overcome barriers to accessing learning     and development opportunities including cultural, social, economic, financial,
transport and child care issues by providing the following assistance:

•    20 x practical driving lessons
•    30 x classroom based lessons on the theory test & Hazard perception test
•    One practical driving test fee
•    One theory test fee
•    Theory test books & highway code in their own language will be provided as well

Summer Delight (Play Scheme)

Summer Delight is a project that took place in summer 2005 for children in Longsight, over a period of 2 weeks. In this project we organised a play scheme and provided a range of activities and events for children aged between 5-12 years of age. This project raised both community participation and social awareness for families with children by breaking these existing barriers and by providing local children with a programme of activities and services that helped their families improve the living standards they have and cope with the difficulties that come from being on a low income.

In the play scheme we prepared a range of outdoor and indoor activities for children such as arts and crafts, sponge painting, printing, jewellery making, face painting, football, badminton, table tennis etc. This project was built on the present facilities at Inspired Sisters for the parents and introduced a range of new activities for the children. This gave both parent and children the chance to take part and get involved
in activities and opportunities together at one site. The project also undertook a thorough mapping of current provision for the parents of the disadvantaged groups including the BME communities to identify gaps in order to customise provision to ensure that it fills those gaps. Where possible, the project also signposted to existing provisions through the links that Inspired Sisters has within the community, voluntary and the public sector providers in Manchester.