From its inception REEP has assisted over 5,000 refugees and asylum seekers.  We have been providing specialised tuition and guidance to refugees in Sheffield for over 14 years and have established a good reputation within the city.  The majority of students come to us through ‘word of mouth’ passed on by other refugees who have gained support from the programme.  Others are referred to us from other agencies such as accommodation providers, who know of our services and refer students to us when they arrive in Sheffield.

Learner feedback has shown a high percentage of satisfaction and many of our learners feel that attending classes here has had a significant impact upon their lives and integration into Sheffield.  A student recently commented, ‘I was very depressed before I came to classes here, the teachers are very good and everyone is very friendly.  I have opened up and gained confidence in speaking English.  I feel like my depression has vanished completely’.  Most (99%) of our learners achieve their goals; those who are submitted for OCN, (approximately 65%) achieve the qualifications they work towards.

REEP was selected as one of 10 finalists in the National Diversity Awards and was selected by Dee (now Department of Works and Pension), under a scheme called 5 alive when they celebrated their 5th anniversary, as an organisation they most wanted to support.  As a result of this DfEE staff members volunteered to the mentoring programme and a full-time worker was seconded to REEP.

REEP has achieved the Matrix standard for Information, Advice and Guidance.

In 2006 we received funding from the Home Office for a pilot project called  Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies. The purpose of the project was to engage asylum seekers on a programme of language learning and recreational activities.  The pilot allowed us to help learners learn new skills, build confidence and friendships, and generally have the opportunity to take part in activities that enabled them to engage in everyday enjoyable activities.  It allowed them to become a part of their local and wider community and access services available in the region.

In the consultation period, we identified an interest in visits to local and national areas of interest, football  (we set up a link with another local group for teams of 5 a side and found that we had learners who wanted to support their team), arts and crafts, photography, swimming lessons, badminton and table tennis.

Throughout the programme, learners valued the sessions, built confidence, gained new skills, and shared their knowledge with one another.  We feel this has been a real success  and we hope to roll out the pilot in the future.