ASsha Neighbourhood Project’s latest programme for equipping women with new skills ahead of volunteering for local community organisations has been completed.
‘Unfolding’ is a five-week wellbeing course for volunteers delivered by Humans Being at the Asha centre in Stratford Street, Beeston. During the programme, the volunteers learned how to put in place healthy boundaries and the importance of punctuality and professionalism as well as developing self-confidence, assertiveness and problem-solving skills.
The course is part of a series of volunteer development activities that Asha is rolling out this year with the support of The Wharfedale Foundation. It started with the ‘Step Into Volunteering’ course in January, opening doors to volunteering and learning opportunities and developing confidence to apply for training, apprenticeships and work.
Development Worker Shazia Aslam who organises the volunteers programme at Asha is delighted with how it is progressing.
“We have had a very good response to the programme from service users who are keen to develop the skills and knowledge they need not only to volunteer in their local community but to find work,” she said.
“As a result, we are getting some great outcomes. The safeguarding and first aid training that one lady received during the Step into Volunteering course has helped her find employment. Others are taking classes to improve their English and IT skills, are applying for further or higher education and apprenticeships and are now volunteering regularly at Asha.”
Volunteering is a great way to develop personal confidence, skills and get work experience to boost CVs before applying for training, education or employment. Further training programmes are being planned at Asha to help develop women to take on volunteer placements, education or work. Starting soon is ‘She Rises’, a free 7-week course which aims to build self-esteem, maintain motivation, manage stress, prepare for interviews and explore local opportunities.
If you are interested in joining Asha’s volunteers programme, please contact info@ashaleeds.org.uk or Shazia.Aslam@ashaleeds.org.uk or phone 0113 270 4600.
This post is based on a press release issued by Asha Neighbourhood Project
Photo: some of the women volunteers at Asha Neighbourhood Project with Humans Being tutor Sally Parkin, Shazia Aslam and Asha Centre Manager Zaheda Khanem
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