WIREDGOV

Events will be held in Online Centres all across the country this week to celebrate the 20,000 non-English speakers who are less isolated and more connected to their communities thanks to improved English language skills gained through Good Things Foundation's English My Way programme.

From 5 - 12 March 2018, Good Things Foundatuon and more than 70 community organisations delivering English My Way will be celebrating the impact it has had, with local venues holding parties for learners past and present, volunteers, tutors and local partners.

One centre taking part is Zest for Work in Sheffield. Tutor Theresa Smith says: “It’s amazing seeing the difference the programme makes to the people who learn with us. They start with little or no English skills and many of them are very isolated as a result but gradually, they build up their abilities and confidence - and make friends too.

“My group of learners love a get-together and they always invite me, so it’s nice that, this time I can hold a party for them, to say well done for all their hard work! Not only is it something fun to do but it’s also a great way for them to practise their new English skills with each other.”

Since 2014, more than 150 community organisations have supported people from all walks of life, helping them to improve their English language skills and better their circumstances, allowing them to engage more with life in the UK.

English My Way, is funded by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and supports adults with no or low levels of English language skills to better integrate with their community.

Previously struggling to communicate on a day to day basis, participants are now speaking to their doctors, their children’s teachers and accessing the most essential services, many for the first time.

One of the learners English My Way has supported is Thiruchelvi Punithhalingam from Empowering Education in Luton. She says: “English My Way is a very good programme. It’s very good for everyone and I have made lots of friends. We speak English and drink coffee together. Now I can speak in shops, on buses and help my children with homework. Learning English is very important for my life.”

The impacts of English My Way have been life-changing, reducing isolation, helping people find work and helping to build confidence and strengthen relationships.

More than 13,000 people have improved their confidence trying out their new English skills with other people, more than 11,000 have progressed to further ESOL learning and English My Way has helped more than 4,000 people find work.

Throughout the week, we'll be sharing more of the great stories that have come out of English My Way here on the website, on Twitter - @EnglishMyWayUK - and on the English My Way Facebook page.

To find out more about the celebrations, please get in touch with Good Things Foundation on 0114 349 1625 or email press@goodthingsfoundation.org.