Inspiring Futures Swansea is helping people turn learning into real opportunities.
Faith in Families Inspiring Futures project Swansea is helping people turn learning into real opportunities, with 73 accredited certicicates achieved across Faith in Families’ three Community Cwtches.
Learners in Clase, Portmead and Bonymaen are not only gaining qualifications. They are also moving into employment, volunteering, further education and university.
For us, that is what Inspiring Futures is all about.
A certificate is a brilliant achievement. However, the bigger question is often: what does it help someone do next?
Across our communities, we are beginning to see those next steps take shape.
Inspiring Futures Swansea is about more than qualifications.
Inspiring Futures supports people and families into learning, work and confidence.
Through accredited courses, skills development, employability support and personal encouragement, people can build confidence while gaining recognised qualifications.
For many, returning to education can feel like a huge step.
Low confidence, financial hardship, poor mental health or difficult previous experiences of education can all create barriers. So, learning in a familiar community setting can make that first step feel more achievable.
Our Community Cwtches provide welcoming spaces where people can learn at their own pace and feel supported along the way.
Most importantly, success looks different for everyone.
For one person, it may be gaining their first qualification. For another, it could mean volunteering, applying for a job or continuing into higher education.
73 accredited certificates across three communities
Recent achievements across our Community Cwtches show the growing impact of the programme.
At Clase Community Cwtch, learners achieved 51 accredited certificates. Seven learners are continuing with Inspiring Futures, while six have registered with agencies for Teaching Assistant opportunities. Two are progressing to Level 3 Teaching Assistant study, one has secured a volunteering placement and one is progressing to university.
At Teilo’s Community Cwtch in Portmead, learners achieved 19 accredited certificates across Digital Literacy, Playwork and Customer Service. Two learners have moved into employment, three into volunteering opportunities and four want to progress to Level 2 Teaching Assistant training. Every learner also reported improved confidence.
Meanwhile, at Bonymaen Community Cwtch, three learners completed Level 1 Digital Literacy for Business and all achieved accredited certificates. Two are continuing their learning journey with Inspiring Futures, while one has progressed into employment.
Together, that brings the total to 73 accredited certificates across our three Community Cwtches.
From community learning to university
Behind every figure is a person with their own story.
One of those learners is 36-year-old Natalie Price Pettersson, who is now going on to study for a Bachelor’s degree with Cardiff Metropolitan University.
“For the first time in my life, at the age of 36, I’ve finally managed to stick to something and become qualified. I’m now going on to study a Bachelor’s degree with Cardiff Met University, something I never thought I’d be capable of. Thank you for your belief and support in us.”
Her words show why Inspiring Futures Swansea is about much more than course completion.
It is about helping people recognise what they are capable of.
You can find out more about Cardiff Metropolitan University, where Natalie will continue the next part of her learning journey, online.
Learning that leads somewhere
The progression happening across our Community Cwtches takes many different forms.
Already, learners have moved directly into paid employment. Others are volunteering within community organisations and gaining valuable experience.
Six Clase learners are actively exploring Teaching Assistant opportunities, while two are continuing into Level 3 study.
At Teilo’s, one learner has moved into a Volunteer Co-ordinator Assistant role with Faith in Families. Another has secured employment as a Play Worker with Interplay. Three learners have also progressed into volunteering roles.
In Bonymaen, one learner has moved into employment and the other two are continuing to learn.
These journeys may all look different, but they have something in common.
Someone was given an opportunity to begin.
Support that grows as people’s lives change
At Faith in Families, our projects do not sit in isolation.
Someone may first come through the doors of a Community Cwtch looking for connection or support.
Later, they might access practical essentials through Cwtch Mawr Multibank. Their child may receive support through Brighter Futures. They may then begin learning through Inspiring Futures Swansea.
In time, that same person could volunteer, gain new qualifications or move into employment.
Support grows as people’s lives change.
People are not simply accessing a service. They are becoming part of a community.
That is what makes these 73 certificates so important.
They represent achievement, of course. But they also represent confidence, possibility and the start of whatever comes next.
Take your next step with Inspiring Futures
If you would like to build your confidence, develop new skills or explore opportunities for learning and work, Inspiring Futures Swansea could help you take that next step.
Find out more about Inspiring Futures and how Faith in Families can support you.
"Thank you so much for all the opportunities you have given me. Moving over to clase nearly 4 years ago, I didn't know many people in the area. I lost my husband nearly 2 years ago and I felt lost and needed to find myself as a person again and not just be mummy to my children. Due to me having fibromyalgia and arthritis, going out can be hard on times, but being able to be part of this community has given me the opportunity to meet new people (who have now become freinds) that without inspiring futures I would not have met. So, thank you! I cant wait to take part in more coures with you xx"
