Learning new skills and feeling empowered through Family Fund’s Discover Digital workshops

Aliya and her son, Ibrahim, 10, live in Darlington, England. Ibrahim is on the pathway for an autism diagnosis. The process began four years ago. Unfortunately, there has been a long delay due to covid and a local authority reshuffle.

Aliya explains: “As the years have gone by, the traits of autism have become more apparent in Ibrahim, especially in his speech. If anyone was to speak with Ibrahim for the first time, they would not understand what he’s saying. Even I as his mother must really tune in to understand what he’s saying. Most of our communication is non-verbal. Ibrahim is receiving support for this at the mainstream primary school with SEN (Special Education Needs) provision that he attends.

“I’ve had to make some serious changes to my life. I was once in a very demanding profession but there came a point when I realised that wasn’t working. So, I became a full-time parent carer. I look after Ibrahim now, and I will do so until there’s a level of semi-independence.”

How Family Fund helped

Family Fund granted Ibrahim an iPad. Aliya said: “He really loved the fact that it was a grant for him, something that was his own.

“The iPad has been great for Ibrahim’s self-esteem. Allowing him to use his own login and password has improved his confidence and feeling that he’s his own person. It’s also encouraged responsibility for something that is expensive.”

Support through Discover Digital workshops

After receiving their iPad, Aliya’s family attended Family Fund Discover Digital workshops: “Ibrahim initially started using the iPad for entertainment but he’s now using it for his own creative pursuits.

“At the moment, Ibrahim’s aspiration is to become a YouTuber. Over the summer, he attended the Documentary Dynamos workshop at Family Fund’s Discover Digital Festival. He learned how to create documentaries and movies, and how to upload videos online, which neither of us were aware of before. Ibrahim finished the workshop feeling more digitally confident.”

“Those nuggets of skills that he learnt have been very empowering for him. The workshop provided a bridge between Ibrahim wanting to do something and actually doing it.”

“I also attended a one-to-one workshop focused on accessibility and online safety. Family Fund told me about the workshop after we received our grant. It was a great opportunity to learn about the safety features included in the iPad software. I feel privileged that I had access to somebody with so many beneficial skills. The trainer even sent all the information in an email after the session. It was great to have so much attention forwarded my way, and I now feel more confident with keeping Ibrahim safe online as he grows older.”

Aliya adds, “The sign-up process for both workshops were straightforward. I appreciated that there was no pressure during the sessions. The workshops took place on Zoom and there weren’t any difficulties with attending. I would definitely recommend the training to others.

“I’m glad that I became aware of Family Fund. Applying for support has always been easy and the turnaround from applying to receiving has been quick.