"I learn so many things. I learn how to use computer device and I learn online shopping. Now I can use so many things and I am happy"
Summer 2023 Newsletter
We can't believe we are at the end of another year at Hope English School, and what a busy one it has been! Babies, baking, teaching, running, grant writing (and that's just the last term!), we've had a pretty packed year and are looking forward to a relatively quieter few weeks over the summer holidays - we hope you are too.
"I like the whole lesson... talking, questions, everything is OK for me and I have learned a lot"
Over the last term it has been great to start working alongside some new organisations we have not previously worked with. We have started a new online ESOL class for Rotherham council and a Digital Skills course at Sheffield City Church.
The Rotherham Council class was started specifically to support five women who, for various reasons such as disability and childcare, are unable to access traditional in-person classes. We have provided each student with a laptop so they can attend the class online, with the intention to transition to face-to-face classroom teaching when the students feel more confident. One of the things which makes Hope English School different is our ability to provide a bespoke service, to provide just what our students need at the time, and to have the flexibility to change this as and when required.
We are delighted to have received some grant funding, and as a result are able to carry on running our class at the bridging hotel in Sheffield over the summer holidays, providing consistency and ongoing support to those that live there.
Huge thanks to all our teachers and administrative staff who have worked really hard this year to deliver teaching to 150 students - well done!
Open ESOL running over the summer holidays
We are pleased to announce that due to the money raised from our most recent fundraiser 'Baking for Hope' we are able to keep this class running over the summer holidays.
This relaxed, mixed ability class is open to all asylum seekers and refugees - regardless of age, gender or asylum status.
If you would like to find out more or know someone who would benefit from attending, please visit our website for more information.
New class starting soon!
We are delighted to have been awarded a grant from the National Lottery Community fund to develop and pilot a new Digital Skills course! Up until this point the course has required the learner to have a reasonable level of English in order to attend.
This grant will allow us to develop a brand new course aimed specifically at learners whose English is at a low level and would not be able to access the current courses we offer.
The resources are being created over the summer and the pilot will start in September in partnership with our friends at the Snowdrop Project.
Lace up your running shoes...
We are looking for more people to join our team and run the Sheffield 10k with us on September 24th - the more the merrier!
Whether you are a seasoned runner (like Jane!) or an absolute novice (like Lucy!) we'd love you to run and raise money for us!
Visit our website to sign up and receive your FREE Hope English School T-shirt to run in!
Thank you!
THANK YOU to everyone who got involved in our Baking for Hope fundraising appeal - we raised an amazing £640!
We are using the money to keep our Open ESOL class running over the summer - so huge thanks to everyone who baked or bought!
Support our lifechanging work and get a free book!!
We are looking for NEW regular givers to support us over the next academic year! Regular giving is the best way to help us in planning the support we can offer. Pledge to give to our work and receive a FREE copy of 'Recipes of Hope' as a thank you gift from us. Learn more here.
Thank you
Enjoy a weekend unleashing your wild side in the Welsh Wilderness! Get ready to take part in the ultimate digital detox as you live off the grid and put your skills and nerve to the test…
Take part for just a £50 entry fee (includes all activities!) and a £250 fundraising target!
Beware, this is NOT for the faint-hearted. Are you up to the challenge?
We are now registered with easyfundraising, which means you can help us for FREE. Over 7,000 brands can donate to us when you use easyfundraising to shop with them – at no extra cost to yourself!
All you need to do is sign up and remember to use easyfundraising whenever you shop online. It’s easy and completely FREE!
To sign up and/or register us as your cause visit https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/.../hope-english-school/
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Thank you
We are delighted to welcome Meera to the Hope English School Team!
Welcome to Meera our newest volunteer!
Meera has a background in teaching with over a decade's experience of the education sector both in the UK and abroad. Whilst working in various educational institutions, she has seen first-hand how supporting individuals to gain essential skills to be able to live and work in a new environment has a far-reaching impact on their families and the wider communities.
We are delighted that Meera will be working within the fundraising team and using her expertise to help us continue our work.
We also bid a fond farewell to teachers Fran and Jonathon who are leaving us over the summer. We wish them both the very best for the future and are grateful for their hard work over the last year.
Huge congratulations to Anna (and husband Jon) as they welcomed beautiful Sebastian into their family. We are sending lots of love to you all as you get to grips with becoming parents and enjoy getting to know your little man!
Thank you for your ongoing support!
Make sure to follow us on our social media channels for all the latest news!
Spotlight on: Penistone Support Group
We are delighted to be continuing our English Classes in Barnsley in partnership with the Penistone Refugee and Asylum Seekers Support Group. We started the group in March 2022 and since then it has gone from strength to strength, with women from a diverse range of backgrounds taking the opportunity to improve their English, make friends and share their cultural traditions in a safe and welcoming environment.
Over the past few months, a number of Ukrainian women have joined the group, and they have been warmly welcomed and supported. The women enjoy learning about practical topics for adapting to life in a new country as well as talking together and using games and songs to enhance their learning. Feedback has been extremely positive and it is great to see the women gaining in confidence and being able to access further courses, training and jobs.
We hope to continue the classes into the future to enable as many women as possible to benefit from an informal yet structured approach to learning which prepares them for the everyday challenges they face and gives them the motivation to improve their English, meet new people and have fun!
Baking For Hope
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!
This Refugee Week put your baking skills to the test and host a coffee morning in your workplace, school or church, or set up a baking competition with friends and family - all in aid of Hope English School!
When? During Refugee Week (19th - 25th June 2023)
What? A bake sale, coffee morning or even a "Bake Off" style competition - anything that brings people together.
Where? Your home, office, school, place of worship or community centre …. anywhere!
Why? Our Open ESOL classes are a lifeline for new arrivals, those who can't access college courses or anyone else who finds themselves falling through the gaps in the system. These classes are weekly, relaxed, friendly and offer free refreshments. The Open ESOL class is fully funded by our supporters and we want to keep it going! We are aiming to raise £1000 to keep it running for the rest of the year. Will you help us to reach our target?
Register here to let us know you are taking part. You can also download your FREE digital fundraising pack with everything you need to plan, advertise and run your event.
However big or small, every penny raised helps to open doors, create opportunities and improve the lives of asylum seekers and refugees in South Yorkshire.
Thank you, and Happy Baking!
Any questions do get in touch.