Good-news stories
Tesco’s Blue Token Scheme
Thanks for supporting us with the Tesco’s blue token scheme, because of your votes in local Tesco’s branches the Free School Uniform Project has been awarded £500 towards the running costs of the project.
There is still a need for donations of school uniform, especially logo items, drop off points 7 St Peters Court, off St Peters Street, CO1 1WD, Colchester Food, Stanway and Kingsland Church, London Road. Request for item must be made via www.freeschooluniform.co.uk
user feedback Just want to say thank you for helping the way you do! Your donations helped a lot of people I know, especially friends in financial difficulty and I shall certainly donate all my children’s uniform when they outgrow it 🙂
Integration Tho Language Classes
Informal English classes are Mondays and Wednesdays online, Tuesdays and Thursdays classroom
Our next Food & Hygiene level 2 course starts on 7th May 2026, Thursday’s 1:30-3:30pm. Learners (only 8 places) must attend every session to complete the final online assessment.
Driving Theory Practice sessions are Tuesday’s face to face, 1-3pm. For this course you will need an Essex Library Card to access the material.
Sewing Classes, why not join and learn the working of a sewing machine and general maintenance, alongside minor repairs, recycling worn clothes, making bags, Egg holders, aprons, etc restarts on 8th May 2026 from 12:30 – 2:30pm, Mondays and Fridays. Class size are limited to 6 person per class.
Learner how to turn your own ideas into items of clothing, bags etc from recycled materials
Connect to Work: for refugees, people on Ukrainian scheme and Afghans on resettlement programmes. This programme is employment-focused and employment specialists spend more time with each participant during their journey looking for jobs. The support is for those who are out of employment and looking to get into employment as well as those who are already in employment but need support to stay employed or want to change to another job. Employment specialists make CVs, help apply for jobs, prepare for interviews and provide in job support once participants start a new job. The eligibility criteria are that people have to be ready for work immediately and must not be on any other DWP support programmes such as Restart.
Immigration Advice Centre (Asylum and protection L1)
We now have 4 newly qualified Immigration advisors with level 1 Asylum and Protection qualification. Appointments can be booked via info@essexintegration.org or 01206 861180
EON: for refugees, asylum seekers (with or without permission to work), Ukrainians, Hong Kongers and people on dependent visa. It is not for students. Clients receive a range of services such as employment support (immediate or long term), improving English, doing a range of courses such as driving theory course, housing course and IELTS/OET (for medical professionals). Referrals to ENIC/ECCTIS for statements of comparability are also provided. There is an employment advisor for highly qualified people such as doctors, nurses, dentists to support them go back to their professions.
to register for a course, job searching support, advice please email info@essexintegration.org