Women's Voice project celebrates success (From Enfield Independent)

Women's Voice project celebrates success at Welcome Point Community Centre in Ponders End

3:30pm Tuesday 27th April 2010 in Top Stories By Katie McGonagle

AN ENFIELD-based charity is celebrating its success in helping Bangladeshi women improve their English and find employment at an event today.

Community Aid, based at Welcome Point Community Centre in South Street, Ponders End, has been running a project called Naree Konto or “Women’s Voice” for the past three years using a £250,000 grant from the London Development Agency.

The charity has provided lessons in English, computing skills, vocational training and support finding jobs to around 300 women, mainly of Bangladeshi origin.

The group marked the end of the three-year project by inviting 120 people, many of whom were former students, to a celebratory lunch.

Community Aid co-ordinator Rina Choudhury said: “We could see there was a big demand out there for people who want to improve their English.

“We have exceeded our target from the London Development Agency and the feedback we have received from people is amazing. We are so pleased that we have managed this project successfully as it was a big challenge for us.

“Some of the participants have found a job and some of them have gone to higher education and volunteering. They have gained experience and confidence as well.”

The event included speeches from former students and the London Development Agency, and also saw the final cohort of 40 women receive certificates for passing their English language exams.