In February 2023, FODI was awarded project funding from the National Lottery Community Fund as part of its Know Your Neighbourhood scheme, a new fund to empower communities to take sustained action on volunteering and loneliness. In April of the same year, FODI began an initial three-month pilot project to deliver English lessons and offer its clients volunteering opportunities. Following positive initial results, FODI hired a part-time ESOL Project Coordinator in July 2023 to administer and deliver the project in the community alongside FODI volunteers and other local educational, arts and cultural community members. This project runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in FODI’s learning and activity room at the Co-op Centre, Hendon. This location is ideal due to its central location.
Since it was started, the ESOL project has delivered English lessons to over 120 Asylum Seekers and Refugees and still offers at least six classes each week to learners, many of whom have never received formal teaching in English or have little to no prior education in a second language. Conversely, we also offer advanced-level and conversation classes. The ESOL classes at all levels are consistently well-attended. The ESOL project also offers learners the opportunity to explore our city and region. Recently, we had day trips to Beamish Museum, Arbeia Roman Fort in South Shields, Durham University’s Oriental Museum, Tyneside cinema, the Glasshouse in Gateshead, and the Penshaw monument. These trips are particularly beneficial to the mental health and well-being of our clients; many friendships and connections have been formed during our long walks along our region’s beautiful coastline and the river Wear.
One of our students said: “It was a wonderful trip today 😊 and I really enjoyed the moment. I also kept it as a memory for these pictures ….Thank you , Luke🙏”
If you are a member of the community with an idea or wish to be directly involved in the work we do with Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Sunderland, we’d love to hear from you. You can contact our ESOL Project Coordinator Luke Shannon directly at l.shannon@fodi-sunderland.org or send him a text on 0790 1276 938.