This is a guest post from Peter Neville. Peter is in charge of teacher training at ELTS Swansea University.  You can connect with him on Twitter and via his blog.

Free English Language support classes
Thursday 24th January to Thursday 21st March 2013 (THURSDAYS ONLY)
Swansea University – Taliesin Extension Building

ELTS, the department of Swansea University which supports overseas students and provides training for people to be English Language teachers, is again running its popular free English Language support classes from 24th January until the 21st March. The classes are run informally, so there is no registration or forms to fill out, and participants can attend as many, or as few classes as they wish. If participants come to most of the classes, we will issue an attendance certificate.

On this occasion, we are funded to reimburse (in cash) daily bus travel within Swansea (we need to see the ticket or pass).
These free classes are provided for any non-native speaker at pre-intermediate level and upper intermediate level, or above. There are two separate classes, running at the same time. Pre-intermediate students have a basic ability to communicate and understand, but can make much improvement in all areas. Upper-intermediate students have an effective command of English, but this is not perfect, and vocabulary can be extended, grammar fine-tuned and speaking and listening ability can be consolidated.

The teachers taking the classes are all full time Masters students at the university, but will always be monitored by experienced lecturers from ELTS.
Joining the class will give valuable practice in English, and will introduce participants to the wider community of English Language learners in Swansea. And, it’s all free!

You can see a flyer at http://tinyurl.com/Jan2013freeclasses
Or you can email p.l.neville@swansea.ac.uk for more specific information.

You can also print this post available in word (.docx) or rich text format (.rtf)

We, at SBREC, take pride in being able to celebrate all festivals contributing to the rich mix of cultures, religions and values that people within our area hold dear to them. As it is Christmas time now, we are delighted to wish you all a

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!

We pray that you have a peaceful time both here and in other parts of the world which have yet to see some stability, security and peace.

~ Your Team at Swansea Bay REC

*Please note that Swansea Bay REC will be closed from 12noon on Monday 24th December 2012 until Tuesday 1st January 2012. We will be open for business on Wednesday 2nd January 2012

Department for Work and Pensions have announced that on 19 November 2012, they will launch ‘Universal Jobmatch’ – a new, free* online job posting and matching service.

This new online service will improve their recruitment service for both companies and jobseekers by speeding up the recruitment process, making it quicker and easier for companies to find suitable jobseekers.

Anyone looking for work will be able to set up an account, and create a CV or upload CVs they already have. The new technology will automatically match their CVs and skills to suitable jobs that are posted by companies on the new service.

From 19 November, companies will need to post all their jobs online using Universal Jobmatch, as it is replacing the current Jobcentre Plus vacancy services – Employer Direct, Employer Direct Online and Job Warehouse.

After posting a job, companies will receive a list of suitable jobseekers, ranked by best match first. They can then select the jobseekers they want to apply and invite them to apply online.

Universal Jobmatch will be accessed via GOV.UK which is replacing Businesslink, Business Gateway in Scotland, and Business Wales, and also replaces Directgov for jobseekers.  It will be available in Welsh and English.

Please see their frequently asked questions for more information

The Workers Education Association (WEA) has received a major funding boost from the Home Office and European Funds in order for them to provide English language classes in the Swansea Bay area. They are now looking for suitable individuals who can develop their work in coordinating activities for the classes to commence forthwith. Said Elaine Topping, the area Coordinator for WEA, “We are looking for Development Workers for the European funded Regional Essential Skills Project and the Home Office funded ‘English skills for Integration and Learning’ project”. Salaries will be in the region of £21,719 to £27,112. Anyone interested should email WEA directly at hr@weasouthwales.org.uk or telephone WEA’s regional offices.

 The new project workers will supplement WEA’s capacity to offer even more English language classes in the area. Currently WEA works in close partnership with Swansea Bay REC to deliver a variety of courses, both at SBREC’s premises in Grove House, Swansea as well as WEA’s own premises in Orchard Street and other community venues.

Swansea Bay REC’s Chief Executive, Taha Idris, OBE has been complementary about the partnership that has achieved so much in the past. He has repeated called for the extension of English language provision in order to enable people to positively contribute to the society that they have made their home. SBREC are due to restart all their courses in partnership with WEA very shortly. He asked for members of the communities to contact SBREC offices (Tel: 01792 457035) as soon as possible to ensure that they can be placed on one of the courses.

Swansea Bay REC held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 11th July 2012 at Swansea University’s Council Chambers. At the AGM, members had the opportunity to elect the organisation’s Chair, Vice Chair and members to serve on the Executive Committee.

Mrs Angella Gullam, RGN from Neath was elected Chair for the second year. Mr Nick Tregoning was elected as the Vice Chair for the ensuing year. Newly elected members of the Executive Committee included Mrs Aisha Rasul Iftikhar (pictured below) as well as Mr Arjan Ali, Dr Minkesh Sood, Mrs Amy Moore and Mr Nick Tregoning (the four pictured right).
The meeting was attended by the general members with special guests including Deputy Lord Mayor of Swansea, Cllr June Stanton & Deputy Mayoress, Mayor of Neath Port Talbot, Cllr Martyn Peters, Vice Chancellor of Swansea University, Professor Richard Davies, Police Commander Superintendent Joe Ruddy and Swansea Fire Service Chief Richie Webborn.

City and County of Swansea has, once again this year, partnered with Swansea Bay REC and all the communities of Swansea to present the World Party Event. The event is being held on Sunday 1st July in Singleton Park, Swansea (Mumbles Road entrance), commencing at 12 noon and lasting until 6pm.

The World Party Event has become an annual event since it commenced in 2009. In past years it has been held outside the National Waterfront Museum. This year it has moved to one of the nicest parks in the area. The event will feature the best that each community can showcase in terms of culture and traditions. Dedicated marquees will be showcasing each of the communities from around the globe with a common theme of a united and integrated Swansea.

The event headlines with an internationally popular act “The Stranger Family”. There will be many other acts, dance and music from a local Celtic perspective all the way through to Bollywood dancing from India and Capoeira from Brazil. One of our local talent to perform are A3, the street-dance group consisting of three brothers of Zimbabwean heritage lead by Arnold Matsena. A3 became a national phenomenon in 2010 when the group became finalists in Britain’s Got Talent. This will be a great opportunity for everyone to witness cultural harmony that some said will never flourish and succeed.

Bonymaen Community Partnership held its AGM and Awards Evening on 9th May 2012 at Cefn Hengoed Comprehensive School in Swansea. As part of the event, The Deputy Lord Mayor of the City and County of Swansea Councillor Dennis James presented Community Champions Certificates to acknowledge the hard work and achievements by individuals and organisations for the benefit of the Bonymaen community. Swansea Bay Regional Equality Council was recognised for helping mainstream equality and diversity in Bonymaen. Chief Executive of Swansea Bay REC, Taha Idris, OBE, JP received the Equality & Diversity Award on behalf of the organisation.

There were a number of other dignitaries from School Governors to Community Group Leaders as well as key Community Volunteers present at the Ceremony. There were performances from the school Choir, Drummers, Soloists as well as Bonymaen’s very own ‘Only Women Aloud’ Ladies Choir.

Swansea Bay REC would like to extend its congratulations to two newly elected members of local authorities in our area. Councillor Saifur Rahman has been elected from Port Talbot Ward of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and Councillor Pearleen Sangha was elected from Uplands Ward of City & County of Swansea.

Saifur Rahman has been on the Executive Committee of SBREC for a number of years, whilst Pearleen Sangha joined the Executive Committee last year.

We wish them well for the next 4 years (and beyond) whilst they endeavour to fulfil their electorates’ dreams about council services as well as representing their electorates in all spheres of life. We have every confidence that these two will do their utmost for their electorates in the years to come.

We are proud to learn that one of the newest members of our communities has been selected as Mister Wales 2012. It is an honour and a matter of pride that Arnold Matsena, 22 of Swansea has received this coveted title. It was only two years ago that Arnold with his two younger brothers, originally from Zimbabwe but now permanently resident in Wales, impressed Britain’s Got Talent Judges when their act, called A3, stormed through to the final.

A3 are a well established group of street dancers who combine modern British music and dance with that from their Zimbabwean heritage. Arnold and his brothers have also appeared in Move Like Michael Jackson where they proved the brothers have individual talent which, when put together, forms a mesmerising act. They are not new to fame having won many competitions including medals at the 2009 World Street Dance championship.

Said Swansea Bay REC’s Chief Executive, Taha Idris ” I wish to congratulate Arnold on having received the Mister Wales Accolade in 2012. Arnold has worked with SBREC in delivering Schools’ Diversity Days where his performance has enthralled all the pupils. Arnold has a great heart as well as some oratory skills and it’s been interesting to hear him give his message of hope to the pupils during our Diversity Days”

Organisers of Mister Wales had this to say about the title:

“Mister Wales is an annual competition for young Welsh men aged between 18-29. The event runs annually alongside the Miss Wales competition to generate funds for our chosen charity The Joshua Foundation.

Each year, the new titleholder wins a trip to either Manhunt International or Mister World to represent Wales on this international stage. Arnold, having won the title will also get to judge the regional heats of Miss Wales title in 2013 and may receive a number of personal appearance opportunities. He will also receive (subject to fundraising) a series of overseas trips with The Joshua Foundation including three weeks in Australia.

It’s not a body building competition – but a good body helps of course!”

Congratulations Arnold. You have not just got the talent but also the grit to be Mister Wales 2012.

Stephen Lawrence’s killers, who were yesterday convicted of the racist murder, have been given life sentences. The pair will now serve a minimum of 15 and 14 years respectively.

Constrained by laws in this matter, Mr Justice Treacy, in announcing his judgement, clarified that he would have considered higher minimum sentences because of the nature of the vile murder, however the sentences reflect the fact that both defendants were juveniles when they committed the offence. Consequently, Dobson will now serve a minimum of 15 years and Norris will serve a minimum of 14 years.  Two previous failed attempts to convict the pair has now been righted because of new evidence made possible by advances in forensic science. It relates to blood stains found on Dobson’s jacket and a single piece of hair belonging to Stephen Lawrence which was found on Norris’ jeans.

The trial and subsequent conviction brings a closure to one of the most hotly debated racist murders of the twentieth century. Swansea Bay REC would like to pay respects to all who campaigned so hard to bring this result. Swansea Bay REC would also like to think that the unfortunate victim of such racial hatred has left a lasting legacy which has brought about sea-changes in the attitudes of UK public sector. Everyone now knows what Institutional Racism relates to.