Nusrat Hathiari, WEA's Head of Partnerships, tells us more about the pivotal role WEA is playing in supporting Afghan resettlement efforts across England and Scotland.
"In partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Mears Housing, Ministry of Defence and local authorities, WEA delivers tailored education and integration support for Afghan nationals resettled under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) and Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS).
Working closely with Contract Relationship Managers (CRMs) and the Afghan Resettlement Teams, we provide induction programmes from the point of arrival. These include ESOL, Functional Skills, Driving Theory Test Practice, and awareness sessions on British values, workers’ rights, and gender equality. In Leicestershire and Lincolnshire, courses such as Community Interpreting and cookery for wellbeing have been in high demand, while in Crawley (West Sussex), over 1,000 Afghan nationals are expected to be supported through induction and core provision.
By embedding itself within multi-agency networks, including the DWP and local councils, WEA ensures that education is part of a broader wraparound model of housing, employment, and wellbeing support. The aim is not only to educate but also to empower learners to navigate life in the UK, access work, and contribute meaningfully to society."
