Christmas 2020 Newsletter

Hello! Welcome to our latest newsletter!
We hope this finds you well and looking forward to a new year!

What has been happening in our classes...

 

Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions some of what we had planned, sadly was unable to happen. We are thankful that due to a combination of face to face and online teaching, as well as paper resource packs being sent out many of our students were able to continue with their learning in some format.

We were delighted to receive positive feedback from both students and organisations. Although there were some students who struggled to access our classes, we have seen many make great progress! Very well done to all our students, and our teachers, for adapting and continuing in spite of the challenges which have faced them.

In the new year, as well as continuing with our current classes, in whatever format we are able to deliver them, we plan to launch an IT/ESOL pilot course in Sheffield City Centre. We will develop a 12-week course and plan to trial this after February half term with a select group of learners from Snowdrop.

Fantastic Fundraising!

Our fabulous fundraising volunteer Rachel has been busy writing grant applications and we have been delighted to receive £8000 in grant funding this year! Many thanks to Rachel for all her hard work!

We also were gifted £100 by local Temple Spa businesswoman Jenny, who raffled off a gorgeous advent calendar in aid of our work! Thank you Jenny!

Welcome Lisa!

Lisa is the newest member of the Hope English School team, and will work as a volunteer funding and research assistant. She will work alongside Rachel with fundraising, as well as undertaking a research project into digital inclusion and the barriers faced by many, in the communities we work with.

We want to take this opportunity to wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year. May you have the opportunity to rest and reflect on the last year and remember with thankfulness all the goodness of life.

Christmas Gift Guide

Give a gift that makes a real difference this year by purchasing one of the gifts from our Christmas Gift Guide.

Every donation goes directly to our work with asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants in South Yorkshire. Helping them to access high quality English classes which help provide them with valuable skills they need to become part of their new society and feel hopeful about their future. Head over to our giving page, where you can give one of the suggested amounts, or any amount you can.

Many thanks and happy Christmas xxx

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!!