Session 5: Identifying my next steps and where I can find information and support

Introduction

Man and woman looking at document and working on a calculator
Figure 5.1

You have been looking at how to start working towards your goals, and how you can help yourself. You now have an idea of where you want to get to and what difficulties there might be. You also know what aspects of your life might help you. We all need some help in getting to where we want to be in life. Are there people you know who can also help you and support you: family members, friends, fellow students, work colleagues or people you have met through organisations you have had contact with or activities you have taken part in?

Look at the spider diagram in Figure 5.2, which shows who helped Mo to achieve his aims.

Spidergram graphic depicting Mo’s network of support
Figure 5.2 Sample spider diagram
Show description|Hide description

This diagram represents the people in Mo’s life who have helped him to achieve his aims. It is a spray diagram of boxes arranged around a central box, like the spokes of a wheel. In the centre of the spidergram is a box reading ‘Mo’. Seven boxes surround this central box, all connected by a line. From the top and going clockwise, the first box reads ‘Student funding from the Scottish Government’; the second box reads ‘University lecturer, college lecturers, Bridges case worker, Open University tutor for educational support’; the third box reads ‘British Red Cross, Scottish Refugee Council, Venture Scotland, Bridges Programme for volunteering opportunities, advice and support’; the fourth box reads ‘Local libraries for access to learning’; the fifth box reads ‘His solicitor, advice and referral’; the sixth box reads ‘Parents, family, friends, encouragement and support’; and the sixth box reads ‘Personal attitude, resilience, motivation, work ethic’.

Figure 5.2 Sample spider diagram

Now listen to Mo’s story and about the help he received.

Download this audio clip.Audio player: mo_audio5.mp3
Copy this transcript to the clipboard
Print this transcript
Show transcript|Hide transcript

Transcript

My parents encouraged me to go to university and I graduated in natural resources engineering at university in Iran. An event happened to me and so I had to flee the country and come to the UK. I went to London, Heathrow Airport, and after two or three days they sent me to Glasgow.

My first experience at the airport wasn’t good. I remember then I couldn’t speak a word and I didn’t know where I was. When I was in London, in the morning they sent me to Glasgow, arriving about 8 p.m. at night. I can’t remember the time exactly. We were sitting on a bus for about ten hours and didn’t get anything to eat.

They took me to the YMCA. We were hungry and they just gave us some money and said in the morning to go out shopping. You know, we survived, me and my friend. We kind of met each other on the bus and so became friends.

It took me about six months to settle in. In the YMCA I met someone from the British Red Cross. From the British Red Cross I went to Venture Scotland, doing some activities. It was good.

There were lots of problems in Glasgow and after one year I decided to move to London. At that time I got my ‘Status’ in 2008. I tried to stay in London but I couldn’t because there wasn’t any support. It was just a big, crazy city so I decided I had to come back to Glasgow. When I came back from London I had started working with the British Red Cross. I went on their journalist workshops and journalist short course, and after that I started working with New Voices.

My solicitor sent me to the Scottish Refugee Council and they introduced me to the Bridges Programmes. Bridges helped me to find some subjects at The Open University. During my study at college on ESOL and HNC/HND computing, I was doing some of their units such as Learning to change and Starting with maths. Bridges helped me with my finance, applying for SAAS. This year they helped me find a security job with G4S for the summer holidays.

I am still struggling financially. It is really difficult. Every year it changed. I would say for my education, finding a job, Bridges has been supportive. I can say every time I had problems and I needed some advice I just picked up the phone and asked Bridges.

When I went to college and was studying ESOL and HNC computing, college was really supportive, especially my lecturers. The HNC finished and then I started studying HND. I finished the HND and I started university last year. Scotland is a good place. Hopefully I will just finish my study and move to another city.

End transcript
Download
 
Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).

Your support and next steps