The Gateway Women’s Project is for migrant and refugee women who need support to access education, integration and employment opportunities. We particularly seek to work with women experiencing isolation or social exclusion.
How we work
Gateway is a holistic programme that works with women to dismantle the barriers that prevent them from achieving their goals. Each woman receives a package of supports tailored to her own specific needs and goals. The project is led by social worker, Claire Mackey:
“The Gateway Project is much more than English classes for women. Although women may enrol in Gateway to learn English, when we begin working with them to identify their ambitions and their learning goals, we find that many participants have experienced financial or practical barriers to attending a class. including being the primary carer for children or for elderly family members. We try to ensure that the women get the additional supports they need - from finding supports for personal issues to providing a safe space where women can express personal difficulties and receive the help they require."
In 2019:
- 36 women participated in the project
- 12 women transitioned to further education
- 3 women found employment
- 6 women gained work or volunteering experience.
Moving Online
Since March 2020, Gateway has moved online to ensure that women can continue to be supported in an inclusive but socially-distanced environment. We continue to offer multiple levels of English language classes, one-to-one tuition, employment and further education supports, CV advice and mentoring. Our programme has expanded to include conversation classes, cookery, stress management and mindfulness.
“It has been great taking the English classes in Nasc. I started the English classes last year and it has been fantastic. Now, I have the confidence to go to many places without help.”
Gateway participant
How to enrol
Enrolment is on a rolling basis. If you, or someone you know, might be interested in joining this programme please contact Claire Mackey on claire@nascireland.org or phone Nasc on 021 427 3594.