Derwent Living helps Asian residents learn English

Derwent Living is helping its older Asian residents to learn English thanks to support from the Big Lottery Fund.

The Derby-based housing provider has received £840,000 from the fund which will be used to pay for a private tutor to deliver English lessons within its Rawdon Street, Normanton housing scheme. The scheme houses a large number of older Asian residents, with the majority being women.

Mitch Allseybrook, resident involvement manager at Derwent Living, said: “We’re delighted to receive this grant as we know it will go a long way to help our residents become more confident about becoming more involved in their local community.

“Because of their age and vulnerability, it is often difficult for Asian elders to take part in conventional lessons such as those held in community centres or schools. We feel that, by bringing a tutor into their own living environment, they will be able to take part much more easily and safely.”

The lessons are aimed at supporting the residents to become fluent with basic conversational English - as well as reading and writing. A total of 24 residents will have the chance to take part over a six-month period.

Derwent Living has recently been nominated for the Equality and Diversity Award by the Midland region’s Tenant Participation Advisory Service and the housing provider is constantly seeking new ways to encourage residents of all ages and ethnicities to get involved in their community.

The Big Lottery Fund awards lottery money to community groups and projects that improve health, education and the environment. Since June 2004, it has awarded over £3.6billion to projects – mostly to voluntary and community sector organisations.