Shropshire Council

Ludlow Supports Refugees

13 June 2022 Last updated at 09:37

Forthcoming events for hosts, guests, volunteers and supporters...

Wesleys Cafe, Broad Street Ludlow SY8 1NH

Meet up with other hosts, families and volunteers, drink tea, eat cake and meet other families.

We'll meet on:

  • Saturday 18 June 3pm-5pm see below for venue
  • Saturday 25 June 3pm-5pm at Wesleys

On Saturday 18 June we'll meet at the Quakers Meeting House, St Marys Lane, Ludlow, SY8 1NH 3pm-5pm.

English diagnostic sessions will take place during the Saturday gatherings.

English lessons

English language classes are taking place on Tuesday afternoons at the Quakers Meeting House, St Marys Lane, Ludlow SY8 1DZ from 1:30pm to 3pm. The exception to this is Tuesday 14 June when a couple of our teachers are unavailable. All students need to have undergone a diagnostic session prior to starting classes. We currently have three levels of classes, for beginners, elementary and intermediate.

Many of our teachers are experienced ESOL- or TEFL-trained and are all volunteers. Due to the increased need for language support, we need to recruit more teachers. We'd also like to increase the number of sessions we can run in the week. Please let me know of anybody who would be willing to teach, once or twice a week. We'll be starting lessons on Thursday afternoons once we have worked out the logistics

We are also looking to recruit volunteers who would be confident in helping Ukrainians with English conversation, this will augment the teaching and provide much needed practice between lessons.

Teachers will be able to offer you tips and hints on the types of conversations to start and how to engage students. Please use the contact details at the bottom of this page if you know of anyone who may want to be involved in this important part of language support.

Ludlow Refugee Hub

With many thanks to the Quakers we'll start using the meeting house on Saturdays for most of the day. Start date to be confirmed. In the morning from 10am to midday we'll probably focus on English conversation, and from lunchtime onwards it will be used as a space for a general gathering for hosts, guests and others who may wish to support in some way. There is a lovely garden where families can bring picnics and enjoy the warm and dry summer weather.

Clay workshop

Storymine have organised a clay workshop to mark Refugee Week for refugee families on Saturday 25 June 11am to midday at Ludlow Library.

There are 15 places available, and it might be a lovely way of meeting other families in the area.

Sabrina Boat Trips - Shrewsbury

We've been very kindly been issued with some free boat trip tickets for refugees. Sabrina is moored at Victoria Quay, Victoria Avenue, Welsh Bridge, Shrewsbury SY1 1HH. Enjoy a relaxing 45 minute boat trip, with trips running on the hour every hour from 10am to 4pm, seven days a week.

To check availability call 01743 369741. For more information take a look at the website.

Volunteers

All volunteers will need to hold an enhanced DBS check. This will be free of charge to the volunteer.

Volunteers are needed in the following areas of support:

  • Meet and greet, organise, and help with refreshments at the Meeting House
  • Teachers who are ESOL- and TEFL-qualified, also trained language teachers
  • Support for English conversation with refugees. No qualifications required just an enthusiasm to engage in conversation to support and reinforce the structured English classes
  • Transport is needed for guests who live out of Ludlow to enable them to access English language support
  • Help with organising social events, activities etc
  • Help with finding employment opportunities, many refugees are of working age and keen to start work

Any other areas of help you may be able to offer gratefully received. Please contact Erica Garner on 07974 001310 for more information.