By accessing the welcoming environment of Swansea MAD’s Safe Space and Warm Welcome Hub, resident JR found the support he needed to improve his digital skills and English language proficiency. Thanks to the partnership between Swansea MAD and Adult Learning Wales, residents in Swansea, like JR, can access vital resources to build their confidence and skill set, helping them settle in and thrive in their communities.

JR has been attending Swansea MAD’s Safe Space and Warm Welcome Hub after experiencing social isolation, limited English and low confidence using technology. Through the hub, he has accessed a welcoming environment, hot drinks and food, and regular use of computers and Wi‑Fi, which has helped him feel more comfortable engaging with services and support. He is extremely involved in his community and volunteers on Friday evenings at EYST, supporting his peers with English, but feels unable to progress further as the group would prefer a professional tutor.

In one-to-one conversations, JR explained that he wanted to improve his spoken and written English to communicate with his child’s school, book medical appointments, and eventually look for work. He also shared that he felt anxious about using computers and smartphones beyond basic messaging. Together, we identified a need for ESOL support, practical digital skills, and clear next steps into more formal learning opportunities through Adult Learning Wales.

Swansea MAD staff supported JR to set up and use an email account, learn how to browse the internet safely and access key online public services. We sourced beginner-friendly ESOL and digital resources, including video content and interactive exercises, and showed JR how to access these independently on both hub computers and his own smartphone. Short, regular one-to-one sessions focused on simple, achievable tasks such as typing practice, attaching documents, and joining online meetings.

As JR’s confidence grew, we provided information about local ESOL and digital skills courses delivered by Adult Learning Wales. Swansea MAD met with Beth John from Adult Learning Wales and, together, they identified that JR and a group of men interested in ESOL classes at Swansea MAD could be linked into local provision. JR and his group were put in touch with Jackie Amey at Gower College Swansea for assessment, with Adult Learning Wales working to facilitate this pathway so that JR and his peers can access appropriate ESOL provision while continuing to receive support at Swansea MAD.

JR’s journey illustrates the power of the partnership between Swansea MAD and Adult Learning Wales, which creates opportunities to support learners through different learning pathways. By working together, the partnership provides mutual support that fosters long-term personal growth for learners in the city of Swansea. JR’s story is just one of the many collaborative approaches that offer new skills across different platforms, helping unlock their potential. As this partnership continues to grow year on year, it remains a vital gateway for learners in Swansea, helping them step toward a more connected future through adult education and digital technology.