ABOUT US
Social Justice | Further Equality | Social Mobility | Community Cohesion
WHO WE ARE
Education and Skills Development Group (ESDEG) is committed to improving the quality of education for disadvantaged children through support and community cohesion. We empower members of disadvantaged communities through education, training and skills development.
ESDEG is a registered charity established in 2005 aiming to address the needs of the local Somali community in West London. Over the years, ESDEG has expanded its services to people of all backgrounds experiencing disadvantage, exclusion, inequality, and other barriers preventing them from truly thriving.
OUR VISION
To improve the lives of BMER and other disadvantaged communities in Ealing and surrounding boroughs, particularly children and young people
OUR MISSION
To empower members of disadvantaged communities through education, training and skills development and to further equality, social justice, social mobility and community cohesion.
OUR VALUES ARE
Hard work and educational achievement of young people
Equal opportunity and fairness
Supporting good parenting skills and role models
Integration while maintaining cultural identity
Respecting the needs of diverse service users
Development of self-esteem and confidence building
Transparency and accountability
A ‘GRASSROOTS’ CHARITY
As a grassroots charity providing support for vulnerable or disadvantaged families in London in 2023, our focus can vary depending on the opportunities that come through funding grants or with shared resources from the local authorrity.
However, certain core responsibilities always remain if we are to deliver measurable impact.
♦ Needs Assessment: Conducting regular needs assessments within the communities to identify specific challenges, concerns, and areas where support is most needed.
♦ Advocacy and Empowerment: Advocating for the rights and well-being of families at local, regional, and national levels. Empowering ESOL families to advocate for themselves and participate in decision-making processes.
♦ Cultural Competency: Ensuring cultural competency among staff and volunteers to effectively understand and address the unique cultural and linguistic needs of local families.
♦ Access to Services: Facilitating access to essential services such as healthcare, education, housing, employment, legal assistance, and social support especially for refugee families.
♦ Education and Awareness: Providing educational programs and workshops to increase awareness about rights, available resources, and cultural integration -including English language classes, job training, and life skills programs.
♦ Community Building: Creating spaces for community building and social support, fostering a sense of belonging among refugee families. This includes our coffee morning/support groups, cultural events, and wellbeing activities.
♦ Legal Assistance: Offering advice to help individuals understand their rights as they navigate immigration processes, and support them as engage qualified representation for legal challenges they may encounter.
♦ Youth and Education Support: Providing support and mentorship for younger generations, including encouraging academic aspirations, college/career guidance, and programs to enhance social and emotional well-being.
♦ Financial Literacy: Offering financial literacy programs -especially focused on women, to help immigrant families understand and navigate the financial systems in the UK, including budgeting, saving, accessing financial resources and developing financial independence.
♦ Emergency Assistance: Providing emergency assistance and relief services for families facing immediate cost of living crises, such as housing instability, food insecurity, or health emergencies.
♦ Collaboration and Networking: Collaborating with other grassroots organizations, local authorities, schools, healthcare providers, and businesses to expand resources and create a more supportive environment.
♦ Language Access: Ensuring language access by providing translation and interpretation services where possible, making information accessible in multiple languages to overcome language barriers.
♦ Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly evaluating the impact of programs and services to ensure effectiveness and responsiveness to the evolving needs of new and existing refugee families.
♦ Sustainability and Funding: Engaging in fundraising activities, grant applications, and partnerships to secure funding for ongoing operations and program development.
♦ Advancing Social Inclusion: Implementing initiatives that promote social inclusion, diversity, and understanding within the wider community to reduce stigma and discrimination against refugee families as well as from within the communities themselves.
♦ Data Protection and Privacy: Implementing policies and practices to protect the GDPR and privacy of the individuals and families served by the charity, ensuring compliance with relevant laws.
These responsibilities are intended to create a holistic approach to supporting vulnerable families, recognizing their diverse needs and empowering them to thrive in their new community. It’s important we are able to maintain flexibility and responsiveness to the ever-changing dynamics of immigrant communities especially in somewhere like London.