Women's Project - English classes & more
We provide free, flexible and accessible English classes at local Family Wellbeing Centres (where free child care is available).
We have multiple classes, for different levels, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays - contact Alex at alexrodgers@salusburyworld.org.uk to find out more.
Our Women's Project welcomes women refugees and asylum-seekers to participate in English lessons, workshops, trips, and other activities, to help build fluency and confidence while navigating life in their new home country.
Our curriculum is determined by our students, and the issues and concerns affecting their daily lives. Lesson content emerges through discussion, with women often offering advice from shared experience. The lessons cover grammar and vocabulary alongside the four skills of reading, writing, listening and lots of speaking practice. Women tell us that in-class roleplays covering everyday situations are especially beneficial. We create a safe, supportive space where women can build confidence talking about their life experiences while perhaps sharing a few laughs along the way!
In addition to this, through our collaborations with the Kiln theatre and other creative practitioners, we offer drama and arts workshops where women can express themselves using their English through storytelling, singing, improvisation, and roleplays.
We also run a monthly film club with the Lexi Cinema, which is a great opportunity for mothers and their little ones to enjoy a couple of hours of escapism with popcorn and a hot drink while absorbing more of the English language and culture.
Furthermore, our cultural activities and trips (e.g to Kew Gardens and the Victoria & Albert Museum) provide more opportunities to practise English, build friendships and feel part of a welcoming and supportive community.
For some, the trips have been their first time travelling out of their area; for others their first trip to a museum or the cinema with their children. By providing support and showing what is possible, women develop the confidence to take buses or explore a place again independently, significantly increasing their wellbeing and their sense of belonging.
Women in the group support each other, give advice, and share their experiences. They build friendships and connections, and this is their community. The wellbeing of the whole family improves as women develop confidence and fluency, as one mother has said, 'If I'm happy, my child is happy'.
This project is made possible by funding from City Bridge Foundation, National Lottery Awards for All and Brent Community Grants Fund.
Sara's story
When Sara first came to Salusbury World, she had just arrived in London with her young daughter and was homeless and vulnerable. She spoke no English. Our advice team helped her to find secure housing and a school place for her daughter. With our gentle encouragement, she began to attend our women's project where her English fluency and her confidence started to improve. Despite being illiterate in her first language, Sara can now read and write in English. Today, Sara has a job in a local school, and she also volunteers for us, supporting women in the position she was once in herself. Her eldest daughter has just graduated from university and the whole family is thriving.
Olha's story: "I made friends and I felt part of this community of women."
"I knew some English when I arrived but not very much. I went to a coffee morning run by my daughter's school and the teacher told me about Salusbury World's women's project.
My first year in London was so hard and I felt so alone. In the group, I felt so safe and understood and everyone felt the same. The class is not just about learning English. I made friends and I felt part of this community of women. I'm still friends with the women from my class.
I worked in a bakery first and carried on with my English lessons at the same time. Then [Salusbury World's project manager] told me about a job as a library assistant at the school and helped me to apply. I got the job! Now, I also work as a Learning Support Assistant in the Maths department.
It's hard to know what the future will be like but my daughter is settled and happy and doing well at school."
