Inverness Information Day for Non-English speakers

On Monday 22nd May, people for whom English is not their first language are invited to come to the Town House, Inverness for free information and advice about their local community.

An Information Day has been organised by Highland Council’s Adult Literacies staff in partnership with WEA and Inverness College, with the aim of helping people for whom English is not their first language. 

Representatives will be on hand providing information on a range of services including: banks, citizens’ advice, entertainment, ethnic community groups, Fair Trade, health, housing, Job Centre, careers guidance, learning English for adults and children, libraries, places of worship, Police, Post Office, sport and leisure, volunteering opportunities and tourist information.

Mary Rhind, Adult Literacies Co-ordinator for the Highland Community Learning and Development Partnership said: “The information day for people who do not have English as their first language is aimed mainly at those in the Inverness Area, although anyone from further afield will be very welcome.

“There will be a range of information and advice available at the Town House on Monday 22nd between 10.30am and 8pm and the event will be opened officially by Maureen Macmillan, MSP at 11.30am preceded by a brief input by Stuart Black, Chief Executive of HIE Inverness and East Highland about the Hi Hopes funding. 

“Representatives from Hi Hopes partners - Workers’ Educational Association, Adult Basic Education, Highland Adult Literacies, and Inverness College - will be on hand throughout the day to provide advice and assistance.

“As far as we know this is the first event of this kind to be held in Highland.  Because we as partners are concerned particularly with enabling people to improve their English language skills, we have become aware that lack of these language skills often makes it hard for people to find out how things operate in their new community.   We decided that in view of the increasing numbers of people coming to the area to support the economy it would be good to make access to information on local facilities easier for them so that they can integrate more readily into their local community.”

The Information Day is part of Hi Hopes in the Highlands and Islands - an EQUAL funded project aiming to improve access to life-long learning, continued professional development, and supported vocational training. Hi Hopes membership includes UHI Millennium Institute, Highland and Islands Enterprise, The Highland Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Voluntary Action Lewis, Cothrom Ltd, COPE Ltd, Workers Education Association, TAG Highland and learndirect Scotland.

For further information please contact: Mary Rhind, Adult Literacies Co-ordinator, The Highland Council, Education Culture and Sport Service tel: 01463 251276.