Life in Britain
Citizenship Session
Libraries in Leeds are taking part in Refugee Week 2013 by
holding two Life in Britain Citizenship drop in introductory taster sessions. The first one happened today at Compton Road
Library and the next one will be held this Wednesday 19th at
Dewsbury Road Library at 10.30 till 12.00.
The free Life in Britain Citizenship taster session is aimed
at people who have recently moved to the UK. It is a self-learning course
available with practise tests. The sessions allow people to learn more about
the Britain citizenship programme and to help them prepare for the test.
It is extremely easy to book the course, if you are interested you just have to
sign up to the library, become a member for free and a librarian will
introduce you to the course, help you register and also give a tour of the library. Once you become a member you can book the course online or
even do it from home.
Bernadette Azari who runs the drop in sessions says “I have had people tell me they wish they knew about the Life in Britain course and
came to the library earlier on. I recall one student who failed the course five
times and they said they learned more in 10 minutes than they have on their
own.”
Compton Road Library is a part of The Compton Centre which
brings various services under one roof, making it easier to get in contact with
a variety of services. The Compton Centre is the base for the NHS and Leeds
City Council, including the library and the Welfare Rights Unit. The main
services provided by their fully trained staff include adult social care, council
benefits and tax, library services with internet and a selection of books with
a variety of languages, East North Homes Leeds and many more. All of their services
are free and confidential.
Zahir Ahmed Area Development Librarian who mainly focuses on
ensuring there is equality and diversity in the city wide libraries says “The
library services are here to help people integrate into society in particular
welcoming refugees into our libraries. We are very happy to be working with
relevant organisations like Refugee Education Training Advice Service (RETAS) and
children centres to accommodate refugees.”
Librarian Damian Fennel with the poetry display refugees have
written.
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