Out and About in Leicester
Arguably the best part of being a MESH Development Worker is getting out and about, visiting community organisations and seeing the brilliant work happening right on our doorstep.
Last week, the MESH East Midlands team were in Leicester spreading the word about our searchable database of ESOL provision across the East Midlands on www.leem.co.uk and the Leicester/Leicestershire ESOL forum.
Our first stop was Wesley Hall, where the amazing Anita gave us a tour. With 25 staff, 54 volunteers and 8 ESOL classes every single week it’s a busy place but despite all the activity there’s a sense of calmness and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. It was lovely to see the learners so happy to show us what they’ve been creating and chat about their progress. We also met some ESOL tutors and pointed them towards the learning resources on Learning English Plus.
Next on our list was City Retreat, where a food drive was in full swing. Despite the ‘all hands on deck’ atmosphere, the manager Pooja generously found the time to take a look at LEEM and talk us through the ESOL classes they offer. Thank you to Pooja and the team for fitting us in during such a busy time. PHOTO CITYRETREAT1
We then moved on to Twin Employment to meet Parul, who is incredibly knowledgeable of the ESOL landscape and a key member of the Leicester and Leicestershire ESOL forum, along with Katie the tutor coordinator. It was great to chat about the work they do, including the Restart Scheme and how they support learners into sustainable employment. It’s clear that LEEM will be a valuable resource for their team, and I’m excited to see how their tutors make use of the teaching resources in Learning English Plus.
Our final stop was a quick chat with Rishi and the team at WorkPays who firmly believe that small changes can make a big difference. Their staff are dedicated to helping people at every stage of their employment journey whether it’s taking that first step on the ladder, returning to a career after a break, or training staff to support business growth. In addition to listing their own ESOL classes on LEEM, they see LEEM becoming an invaluable resource for their staff across the East Midlands helping learners find ESOL classes near where they live. Thank you for taking the time to meet with us!
Next stop was Leicester City of Sanctuary where we were welcomed by Alex and the other dedicated volunteers there. The space was a vibrant hive of activity. At one table, an informal ESOL class was in full swing while more formal lessons took place upstairs. It was fantastic to meet Carol, whose passion for ESOL teaching and her learners shone through. At another table, people were crafting and chatting happily, while staff from Nottingham College were on hand to sign individuals up for ESOL classes the moment they hit their six-month residency eligibility.
I then met the leading lady herself, Hafsa the Chief Officer. It was inspiring to see her in action explaining their vital work (including escorting students to register for ESOL classes across the city) while simultaneously assisting visitors with SIM cards and advice. Despite the bustle, the atmosphere was incredibly happy, welcoming and inclusive. To top it off, the kitchen was filled with the amazing aroma of food being prepared by a volunteer chef to be shared among those not fasting.
If you are an ESOL provider or support ESOL learners in Leicester, Leicestershire or elsewhere in the East Midlands and are interested in learning more about LEEM, your local ESOL forum or the Learning English Plus ESOL teaching resources, please feel free to get in touch at: emesol@yhmesh.org.uk
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