Happy spring! We hope 2024 is treating you well so far! We've kicked off with new classes, new staff and some great fundraising events - read on to find out more!
Although most of our classes are small group, community classes, did you know that we also run some online evening classes for Ukrainian refugees? These classes allow the students to fit in their language learning around their work. We wanted to share some lovely feedback we received from one of the teachers of this class:
"M came to England 18 months ago from war-torn Ukraine. At the time of her arrival she spoke no English at all. She started to learn English in the UK, worked hard and progressed so well that now she has been offered a teaching assistant position to teach phonics at a local school."
We have also recently started a one-to-one online class for a gentleman who has access needs and is unable to travel to one of our community classes. We find it particularly rewarding to be able to help those who have previously been unable to access ESOL prevision due to the barriers they face.
Congratulations Yana!
One of our students, Yana, a refugee who has set up home in Doncaster after being forced to flee the war in Ukraine, has turned her terror into a positive after unveiling a display of traditional handmade dolls at a local museum. Yana joined our classes one year ago and once her English language skills had improved, she was able to advertise her dolls which has resulted in several exhibitions in England. She now dreams of writing a book about Ukrainian national crafts.
Yana says:
"After the invasion, I couldn’t make dolls, everything fell out of my hands, there were no ideas after the war started.... It was the doll that breathed life into me, and I gave all the emotions of the war to it."
Huge congratulations to Yana - what an inspiring story!
You can read more about Yana's story here.
Baking for Hope - it's back!
Do you know your choux from your filo? Are you a whizz with a whisk? Or do you just really love eating cake? Whatever your reason, grab your apron and wooden spoon and bake for HOPE!
During Refugee week, we're encouraging our supporters to organise a fundraising cake sale in aid of our work. This is a great opportunity for those who live too far away to come to our events to raise money and spread the word about us.
Sign up on our website or by emailing lucy@hopeenglishschool.org
Join Team Hope!
Booking for the Sheffield 10K is now open and we're inviting you to be part of Team HOPE and take part in this iconic Sheffield event. Let us know you are planning to run for us and we'll provide you with a FREE T-shirt to run in as well as regular support while you train.
Save the date!
You are invited to attend our Family Fun Day on Saturday 22nd June - expect a morning full of food, fun, games and activities. More details to follow but for now make sure to pop the date in your diary so you don't miss out on the fun!
Thank you!
Huge thanks to everyone who came along to our Pick-Me-Up Pub Quiz in February - we raised an amazing £640 for our work and were delighted that two of those who attended signed up to become regular givers.
If you would like to support us over the next year, why not sign up to become a regular giver? Pledge to give to our work and receive a FREE copy of our book 'Recipes of Hope' as a thank you gift from us. Learn more here.
We are delighted to welcome Rhiannon to the Hope English School Team!
Rhiannon came to Sheffield to study languages and made the city her home. She has a background in translation and was a volunteer supporting ESOL learners for several years, before completing her CELTA qualification. She’s excited to join the Hope English School team, meet new learners and see their progress.
Welcome to the team Rhiannon, we're delighted to have you with us!
We have also welcomed several new classroom volunteers, who provide invaluable support to our teachers and students - welcome to Elliot, Vanessa, Charlotte and Pete.
