The increase in former refugees to the city has led to a move for a local organisation providing Dunedin migrant and former refugee settlement support.
Dunedin English Language Partners moved into its new South Dunedin premises at 110 Melbourne St earlier this month.
The organisation is one of 23 branches nationwide operating English language groups and programmes, as well as a home tutoring service.
Centre manager Paul Naidu said the organisation had expanded its services in response to the increase in arrivals since Dunedin became a former refugee settlement centre last year.
A new group of former refugees arrived in the city every eight weeks, and from these 12 to 14 people were referred to English Language Partners, he said.
"They are mostly lower-level speakers of English and we have programmes that cater specifically to their needs.''
The organisation had outgrown its last home in High St and needed to move somewhere more accessible and conducive to its work and staff.
"We were also keen to have a classroom on site, which is what we have now,'' he said.
The organisation also expanded its staff by hiring co-ordinator Felicity Hattrell, who joined Mr Naidu and administrator Tamara Dixon in May last year.
"It was pretty hard work making the move but we're absolutely delighted that we have. It's going to stand us in good stead for the future.
"We've already in many ways made it our home and we hope our learners and volunteers will do so as well. We want them to own this place,'' he said.
The organisation was grateful for the help of the Centre Support Group volunteers, who worked hard to make the move possible.
And while they might be settling into a new home, Mr Naidu said it was business as usual for the organisation.
• For more information, contact English Language Partners, phone 455-5266, email dunedin@englishlanguage.org.nz or visit the website englishlanguage.org.nz/dunedin.
ANGELA.REID @thestar.co.nz
