Stepping Stones Project

A project that used fun and creative means to enhance the practical English speaking skills of refugees/new migrants in Newham London, was funded by People’s Postcode Trust, a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Our project received £13,718 from the People’s Postcode Trust to carry out the IROKO ‘Stepping Stones’ project.  Stepping Stones enabled refugees/new migrants in Newham to develop their practical English speaking skills, confidence and self-esteem, through fun and creative means - oral storytelling, drama, songs and poetry workshops and performances. 

Stepping Stones exceeded its stated objectives as 32 participants instead of 15 originally planned, registered for the programme.  22 of them successfully completed the ‘Communications and Expressive Skills Development Programme’ and were awarded IROKO’s National Open College Network accredited certificate.

FEEDBACK

“I used to speak English when I was small but stopped speaking after the death of my mum.  Since then, I develop panic attack each time that I have to speak in public. You have made me a new person”.

“It was a pleasure to see how all those involved had boosted their confidence and their practical English speaking skills.” - Councillor Ken Clark, Deputy Mayor (Statutory), February 2018.

CASE STUDY

“Dear Alex, I’d like to thank you and the IROKO team for providing us with the ‘Stepping Stones’ workshops. English language courses are a great opportunity for people coming from other countries. I realised that I had to do some English courses, so I started the acting class with IROKO theatre. It was an interesting course "learning from fun". We learned and enjoyed it a lot. 

“I have achieved something. Now I can communicate anywhere. I can also understand the British accent better than before when it was very difficult for me. Thank you very much to the organizers and our honourable teachers.

“Alex I would like to ask you something else. I enjoyed your theatre lesson so much. Could you give me an opportunity to join your group? Please let me know. Many thanks.” - Mohammed Gias

PRESENTATIONS

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