A standout learner who looks to help and support others
Ebtesam left the Yemen in 2021 and started studying ESOL with BAES in 2022. Since then, she has progressed to Level 1 and also started a computer course. Soon after starting studying with BAES, she became an ESOL buddy supporting Pre-entry learners.
When Aruna enrolled on a Performing Arts course in early 2023 she had no previous experience of performing.
However, Aruna saw the class as an opportunity to challenge herself and to increase her self-confidence. Having suffered with depression for many years, Aruna has previously found her condition a barrier to accessing education.
Geoff had to leave his job as a care worker when he needed to have a hip replacement.
In March 2021, he decided to get out and start looking for a new career. With a lifelong love of numbers, he chose an Accounts course at Brasshouse. Geoff instantly felt part of the learning community and realised that his physical problems weren’t a barrier to his succeeding. He credits this support with what drove him to want to succeed so much.
Siema has dedicated her life to caring for her family. She has watched her children growing up and work towards achieving their career goals.
Happy to see them exploring their options, there was a part of her that regretted she had never had the opportunity to reach her own potential as a learner.
Ghasem joined BAES in September 2023, enrolling on ICDL Advanced, a level 3 IT qualification, and also an ESOL entry level course.
In Iran, Ghasem worked as a highly skilled Network Engineer. He is keen to build a new IT career in the UK and enrolled onto our ICDL course to improve his knowledge of Microsoft systems, software and computer networking. His goal is to secure a place at University to further improve his employment prospects.
Read more: Extending his network to build a career in the UK
David is 77 years old and has several health and mobility problems.
In spite of these difficulties, he is always on time for his computer classes and puts 100% effort into completing his work. After class, he spends his afternoon using the centre’s IT facilities. BAES has become his second home.
Read more: Getting to grips with the digital world so he can stay connected
When Ella came to her first cookery class at the beginning of 2023 she had no previous baking experience.
After her first lesson, she was completely hooked and enrolled on every baking and cake decoration course she could find.
Maria is a native Greek speaker who started studying Spanish with us nearly three years ago.
By day Maria works as an Urban Designer and in the evening comes to Brasshouse Centre to indulge her love of languages.
Bushra dreams of going to university to study Law so she can fight injustice.
She wants to champion women’s rights, especially young female immigrants who are victims of abuse and support young women overcome cultural and social barriers.
Read more: Wanting to create a better, safer world for women
Axel arrived in Birmingham in 2022 with the Cameroon Weightlifting Team for the Commonwealth Games.
After a successful Games Axel made the brave decision to seek asylum. This was no easy thing to do. He knew no-one in Birmingham and was leaving family, friends and team-mates behind.
Haja had never previously attended any sort of schooling and cannot read or write in her native language, Arabic.
This pattern had continued into her learning of English. In September 2023, Haja took the big decision to enrol onto a Pre-entry ESOL course.
Read more: It’s never too late to seek the power of self-advocacy
Shane has a catchphrase “Don’t just sit there in the corner. Go out and do something about it!”
That is exactly what Shane has done, and he is now reaping the rewards.