Meet The Team!

Rachel Knight - Fundraising and Research Assistant

It’s been a while since we introduced you to one of our team members! Today we want to tell you a bit more about Rachel, who has been volunteering with us for nearly 18 months now. Rachel’s hard work has brought thousands of pounds our way and for that we are extremely grateful! So, read on to find out a little bit more about Rachel…

How did you first get involved in Hope English School (HES)?

I was looking for a volunteer role to do alongside my master's degree and I saw that HES had put an advert for a Fundraising and Research Assistant on the University of Sheffield's website. I thought “I think I might be able to do that,” took a chance and applied.

What specifically does your role involve?

In a nutshell, I research potential funding sources, mainly grants, for HES and then write and develop applications.

What do you like most about working for HES?

The nicest, most constant, thing is working with such a friendly bunch of people who are working towards the same goal.

It's also really rewarding to receive successful applications after putting in lots of hard work and to see and hear about the difference the grants make to our students.

What do you do with the rest of your week when you are not working for HES?

When I started working for HES, I spent all my free time finishing off my master's degree. Currently, I am working as a Teaching Assistant in a Primary School and when I'm not working there, I keep myself busy by running, going to the beach, reading a lot, cooking, and seeing friends and family.

Have you always lived in Sheffield, if not what brought you here?

I am originally from Suffolk (down South) but moved up North to York for university and then onto Sheffield to do my masters. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, I have moved back to Suffolk and, like the rest of the HES team, I am currently working remotely.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?

My family owns 2 cats (called Merry and Pippin from Lord of the Rings), but I am actually allergic to cats!

Meet The Team!

Jane Middleton - Class Co-ordinator

In this episode of “Meet the Team” we chatted to our Class-Co-ordinator Jane!

Jane is an experienced ESOL teacher and has taught in France and Portugal as well as the UK. She oversees all of our classes, as well as supervising our teachers. A great addition to the team, Jane’s role frees up directors Katy and Anna so they can work on developing other areas of Hope English School.

How did you first get involved in HES?

I had been teaching ESOL for a number of years and noticed the opportunity on the HES website to get involved.

What specifically does your role involve?

I am the ESOL Class Coordinator which involves overseeing the classes in Sheffield and Worksop, liaising with clients and meeting teachers. I also teach a class in Doncaster.

What do you like most about working for HES?

It is a small but very friendly team. I enjoy feeling like I am helping people to gain access to classes and become more confident in speaking English

What else do you do with the rest of your week when you are not working for HES?

I have recently starting working as a teaching assistant in a primary school. I like walking in the Peak District with my family and Sundays are usually spent watching my sons play football. I (sometimes) enjoy running and hope to complete at least one half marathon this year!

Have you always lived in Sheffield, if not what brought you here?

I was born in Sheffield and have always considered it to be my home, despite going to university in Leeds and travelling abroad.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?

My favourite sport is football and I am a lifelong supporter of Sheffield Wednesday!

Meet The Team!

Lucy Morley - Marketing Volunteer

In today’s ‘Meet The Team’ we chat to Lucy our Marketing Volunteer. She keeps our social media platforms up to date as well as writing all our newsletters.

Lucy may juggle her role with us with lots of other things, but she always makes sure to find time to organise (and attend!) our team socials!

How did you first get involved in HES?

I have been friends with Katy (one of the Hope directors) for a number of years and knew of her work with HES and thought it was a really great organisation. She asked me if I would like to become a volunteer and I was delighted to be able to take her up on her offer.

What specifically does your role involve?

I am a marketing volunteer which involves managing our social media platforms, writing blogs, editing the website and writing our newsletters. I have also assumed the role of social organiser(!) and I sometimes support the directors with administrative tasks.

What do you like most about working for HES?

I love being able to support the directors and teachers in their work teaching and providing hope to so many marginalised people. I have always believed passionately in the transforming power of education, so it is a privilege to play a very small part in the work that HES does. 

I also love feeling part of the team – our Wednesdays in the office together are always such enjoyable times!

What else do you do with the rest of your week when you are not working for HES?

Most of my time is spent looking after my three children and all that it involves! I also work part time for Good Taste – The Sheffield Fairtrade Shop, which I love.  I am involved in several ministries at our church as well, which include running a new mums group and women’s bible study and assisting on life skills courses run in conjunction with Christians Against Poverty (CAP).

Have you always lived in Sheffield, if not what brought you here?

My family moved to Sheffield when I was 7 years old when my Dad got a job at Weston Park Hospital.  Aside from three years at University in York, I have lived here ever since and I love it!

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?

I love reading and one of my all time favourite books is Harry Potter – in fact I love it so much that I named my first child Harry after the wizard himself!!

Meet The Team!

Katy Sturdey - Director

In our second of our ‘Meet the Team’ series we chat to one of the two Hope English School (HES) directors Katy! Katy manages to combine being a primary school teacher, mum of two and director in and organised yet effortless fashion! She keeps our finances in order with her excellent spreadsheets and her huge heart for the students runs through everything she does.

Read on to find out more about Katy…

How did you first get involved in HES?

Jen Gladwell (who founded HES) was a mum friend of mine in the school playground and I thought what she was doing was amazing. I began to support her, volunteering one afternoon a week (making volunteer fliers etc at her kitchen table etc) while my daughter was at nursery. I felt passionate about the vision of HES and wanted to be more useful and involved so once both children were at school I went back to Uni in the evenings to sit my CELTA qualification. I then began teaching ESOL classes with HES and this has gradually evolved to my current role as one of the directors.

What specifically does your role involve?

As a small company, my role is very varied which I love (from emptying the bins to strategic meetings organised by clients such as the Refugee Council with local representatives from sectors such as local council, NHS and school services). However, my primary role is managing our finances. This includes invoices, accounts, banking, payroll etc, it doesn’t sound that exciting, but I love it as it is so different from my other day job as a primary school teacher and challenges me to learn new skills.

What do you like most about working for HES?

 I spend a day a week in our office with the other lovely staff and volunteers. It’s amazing being part of a team with such a passion for the people we work with. I love it when we hear that a student has been for a job interview or has applied for a course at college – what we are doing is making a difference to people’s lives in Sheffield and beyond. I also have to admit that my other great joy is a well working Excel spreadsheet!

What else do you do with the rest of your week when you are not working for HES?

What I enjoy most is hanging out with my kids and husband - playing games, being out in the garden, eating pancakes at cafes and getting out in the countryside. A normal week begins on a Monday and Tuesday with my enthusiastic class of 9-10 year olds, then 2 days working for HES, then a day being ‘house mum’ doing all the family jobs. At weekends we love getting outdoors for walks, cycles and picnics together or with family and friends. I feel so lucky to have such a varied and interesting week.

Have you always lived in Sheffield, if not what brought you here?

No, I grew up on the North East coast and moved to Sheffield as a student. I studied Geography and then went on to work as a Park Ranger for several years in several stunning locations ranging from the West Coast of Scotland to the moors and coast of Devon. After a period travelling around the world, I returned to Sheffield, trained as a teacher, got married and settled here. We love Sheffield – the people, the city and the Peak District.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?

 I am most happy sitting in a tent in a grassy (or muddy) field with no toilet watching the wildlife and contemplating which mountain to climb next (This is a testament to Sheffield as it surprises me that I live in a city and I love it so much)!