have been given to

given to doing something:
likely to do something; inclined to to something habitually

I was/have been made to believe understand that ...

You can simply say "I thought..." (and the reason you thought it was because someone else said so - that was the part you were given: someone else's thoughts on the subject.)

Thanks everyone for your help.

Hi,

I'd like to add a comment.

given to understand conveys a certain amount of caution or scepticism on the part of the speaker.

I have been given to understand that the work will be completed on schedule. This suggests 'That's what they told me. If it isn't, don't blame me'.