GAINING FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE AS AN ELDERLY MIGRANT

Fatima (Not her real name) is from Algeria and joined our employability programme as an older person. She was economically inactive and dependent on her husband and his income was so low that they were living in poverty.

She used to be a French teacher but it was challenging to find work because she had little English. This was affecting her mental health greatly and she was desperately homesick.

A Hopscotch employment advisor carefully assessed F’s needs and enrolled her in the following sessions:-

- ESOL and Health & Social Care Classes
- Transitioning into work workshop
- Tour of the workplace – care home
- Tour of the workplace – hotel

Fatima’s confidence began to grow with her new skills and the person-centered support from Hopscotch based on Fatima’s individualised action plan.

She was successful in her interview with a local hotel and since being employed there has been able to rebuild her life and adapt to London culture. Her manager sings her praises and most importantly, with Hopscotch’s ongoing support Fatima’s mental health has stabilised.

With financial independence, Fatima was able to visit her family in Algeria, which she had been longing to do.

Her dream is to teach and so Fatima is working with Hopscotch to continue improving her skills and confidence, to reach her goal.