15 July 2022
To celebrate the successful achievements of learners, volunteers and staff on the English for Every Project funded by the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities over the last three years, Redbridge Institute held a celebration event on 15th July 2022.
The Principal, William Pickford opened the event and said that he was proud of the project for successfully engaging more than 1600 learners and delivering nearly 200 programmes to help local residents improve their English and ‘encouraging social integration’. 34 ESOL Ambassadors were recruited to support the delivery and 82% of learners progressed on to other courses after completion. Will congratulated and thanked all the project staff and learners on their achievements and their continued support.
Askarun Ali, a teacher who joined the project in February 2021, talked about the challenges faced by teachers and learners during the pandemic lockdowns and how they were overcome. She said ‘despite the challenges, we persevered and we carried on. We continued with developing our English skills and our Digital Skills’.
Ionela Alina-Nita, an English for Every Day learner bravely spoke about her positive experience of enrolling on the course in 2020 and how it has led to ESOL qualifications and employment. She said ‘I have just finished my Entry 2 exams and my teachers have helped me so much. I am working part time as a Carer. Before in Romania, I was a nurse and I want to train here so I am volunteering at King George Hospital for experience’.
Nabeela Qarizada, a learner who completed her course in December 2021 encouraged learners to continue learning English and persevere with education to improve their lives. She has enrolled on ESOL and Maths courses and will continue at Redbridge Institute in September.
Heidi Montgomery-Smith, an ESOL Ambassador talked about her experience of delivering Conversation Clubs in the community and the support she received from the Institute in preparing for the role. She saw a marked difference in her learner’s confidence and speaking skills after completing course.
Sonya Bagha, an ESOL Ambassador who began working on the project in early 2022 explained her reasons for wanting to support the project. She shared her own experience of arriving to the UK as an immigrant and the struggles she faced. She said ‘I wish there was someone who could have helped us then, like today we have these ESOL classes and conversation clubs. Life would have been so much easier! I hope I will also be given a chance to volunteer again and make a difference in the lives of people who stand now where I myself stood once!’
All learners were presented with their certificates by the Deputy Mayor of Redbridge, Councillor Namreen Chaudhry and proudly took photographs.
The English for Every Day team