In August 2022, Greets Green Community Enterprise launched the Digital Den at Wood Lane Community Centre, marking the first successfully completed project funded by the Towns Fund. This initiative was designed to enhance local infrastructure, offering affordable digital access and creating pathways to education, training and employment for communities.
Mr H’s Journey: Building a New Life in a New Land
Mr H arrived in the UK from Afghanistan in 2022 with his family and he faced significant challenges adapting to life in a new country. With limited English proficiency, even simple everyday tasks became overwhelming. Isolation set in as he struggled to make connections outside of his family, and his inability to navigate digital platforms made it difficult to seek employment, interact with healthcare providers or support his children’s education. Simple tasks, like speaking to his children’s teachers, attending healthcare appointments, or understanding local services, became overwhelming. These struggles affected his confidence, leaving him feeling disconnected and unsure of how to improve his situation.
In November 2024, Mr H enrolled took a significant step forward by enrolling in an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) course at the Digital Den. The course didn’t just teach English, it started with a holistic needs assessment to understand each learner’s unique barriers. For Mr H, this meant tackling low confidence in speaking English and unfamiliarity with digital tools.
His tutor tailored the learning materials to suit his needs, incorporating phonetics and practical reading tasks that helped him engage more fully. With time and persistence, Mr H began to build his confidence and improve his communication skills. His commitment inspired not only his tutor but his peers as well, creating a supportive learning environment.
Personal Growth and Empowerment
Thanks to his improved language skills, Mr H can now hold basic conversations, book medical appointments and navigate everyday tasks with greater ease. He understands how to access local health services and is more confident when communicating with shop assistants and reading labels when shopping.
Mr H has also made strides in literacy, now able to complete simple forms and read basic sentences, laying the foundation for future progress. Socially, his involvement in ESOL classes has opened doors to new friendships and reduced the isolation he once felt.
Beyond academics, attending ESOL classes has had a transformative impact on Mr H social life. It has allowed him to connect with people outside of his immediate family, reducing feelings of isolation and broadening his horizons. Mr H has formed friendships with individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds within Sandwell. These relationships have not only enriched his social network but also provided him with opportunities to practice his English skills in a variety of settings.
Mr H journey demonstrates the power of determination and the importance of community-based support. Mr H has gained newfound confidence, independence and connections, enabling him to lead a more engaged and fulfilling life.
Today, Mr H is not only continuing his English studies but has also secured part-time employment. His growing independence and confidence are a testament to what can be achieved when community-based projects invest in people, not just infrastructure.
