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THE CHANGE WE MAKE ANNUAL REVIEW 2016 - 2017
For the last 35 years, Learn English at Home (LEAH) has enabled people to become active members of their local neighbourhood, contributing to stronger, more integrated communities. This report sets out the progress we have made over the past year, as well as outlining our objectives for this, our 35th anniversary year. The last 12 months have been challenging, with the uncertainty created over the Brexit referendum leaving many refugees and migrants feeling unsafe and insecure. It has been ever more important that we continue to dedicate our resources to ensuring that as many people as possible receive the English support they need. We have seen a growth in referrals for our service and have significantly increased the number of ethnic minority adults
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we support, with participation in our community classes growing by 20%. For the last 35 years our volunteer tutors have supported several thousand migrants and refugees across Kingston and Richmond. Without the support of our volunteers, as well as the organisations who fund their training, this achievement would not have been possible. The year ahead is an exciting one: we are expanding our 1 to 1 service into Hounslow, where there is significant need for this kind of provision. We look forward to supporting more people than ever to improve their English and help them to become more confident, more engaged and more active in their local community.
CONTENTS WHAT WE OFFER WHAT WE SAID WE’D DO WHAT WE DID WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT
LEAH lucky to have “We’re very for l e d o a real m in Kingston ” other areas. gston
James Berry,
MP for Kin and Surbiton
KATE BROWN Learn English at Home, Director. info@leah.org.uk
www.leah.org.uk/
020 8255 6144
WHAT WE OFFER We provide the following free services to ethnic minority adults in Kingston and Richmond: 1 to 1 English tuition for speakers of other languages in their own home. Group conversation skills classes in community settings, with crèche facilities: class supporting • Literacy learners with their reading
speakers and those learning English to craft, walk and share skills.
for life, a class • ESOL integrated into our
volunteer training, offering practically-focused English support for clients, and teaching practice for our volunteers.
with my own “I have seen H transforms A eyes how LE teaching lives through .” people English tor
Kingston Health
Visi
Trips and social activities.
and writing skills.
•
Communicating with school class helping parents with low levels of English to gain the language skills needed to communicate with school and support their child.
People’s Project, • Ham a group in Ham bringing
Information and advice about local statutory and voluntary services. This provision is delivered by volunteers who have completed a 10 week training course led by expert trainers.
together fluent English 020 8255 6144
www.leah.org.uk/
info@leah.org.uk
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WHAT WE SAID WE WOULD DO Develop and introduce a new three year strategic plan the key objectives of which are to: and extend our • Improve support for isolated ethnic minority adults through existing services and the development of new ones. and develop a • Manage well-supported and engaged
a sustainable • Create organisation by developing the trustee board and increasing funding opportunities. relationships and • Build engagement opportunities with funders, referrers, supporters and other partners.
and really hard “She’s trying We n. o issed a less n has never m tio a rs e nv te a co ly can have qui ib ss o p t n’ d coul now that we t.” n we first me he w ne o d have tu AH tor
LE
community of volunteers.
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info@leah.org.uk
www.leah.org.uk/
020 8255 6144
WHAT WE DID • 133 • 29
30
40
106
lients received free 1 to C 1 English support in their home.
lients helped with C everyday reading and writing at our literacy class.
lients supported to C engage more with their child’s school. am People’s Project H participants shared skills and took part in craft activities.
42
ew volunteer tutors N completed our training course.
205
Participants supported through community classes.
eet easy to m “It is not but n o nd Lo someone in eet m n a c I ss cla through this nd a s regularly many friend ith w te communica then for l fu lp he very them. It is me.” ple’s
eo LEAH Ham P t Project clien
87%
of 1 to 1 clients made a significant improvement in their English listening and speaking skills within 12 months.
79%
of literacy class clients improved their reading or writing skills.
75% 100%
of volunteers report being well supported and valued by us.
79%
of volunteers report feeling more involved in their local community.
Clients took part in ESOL for life classes.
020 8255 6144
www.leah.org.uk/
info@leah.org.uk
of clients report improved access to health services.
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WHAT WE DID a new modern the number of • Launched • Grew LEAH brand image and clients receiving our 1 to 1 tuition service by 10%. the number • Increased of participants in our community classes by over 20%. new • Created social engagement opportunities for our clients which included meetings with the Mayor of Kingston, local MP James Berry and Dame Jacqueline Wilson.
redeveloped our website.
four new trustees • Recruited and introduced new Board Committees to enhance our finance, service, income and programme development work.
ake warming to m “It was heartnd a e ch a divers friends with su n, e m o w group of determined we e how much lis a and to re ite sp in n o omm all have in c nt re e iff d m of coming fro cultures.” countries and on
ueline Wils
Dame Jacq
repeat funding • Generated from existing trusts and created new funding opportunities for expansion of our service into Hounslow.
the number • Increased of volunteers who feel valued and supported by LEAH to 100%.
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info@leah.org.uk
www.leah.org.uk/
020 8255 6144
WHAT WE WILL DO NEXT Following the successful introduction of our three year strategic plan, we are planning the following developments in Year 2: Engaged volunteers Improved and extended support for • Introduce an clients • Extend our services into Hounslow and overall reach 20% more isolated adults. • Expand the number of our community classes across Kingston and Richmond.
Sustainable organisation
additional volunteer • Train new trustees training programme for and develop our new our work in Hounslow. board committees.
• Develop a new volunteer communication survey to identify new engagement opportunities.
• Increase our resource to focus on large and medium trust fundraising.
Strong partnerships • Continue to build and enhance relationships with existing partner organisations. • Identify and develop new partnerships in Hounslow.
• Introduce a • Commission and new volunteerlearn from external led fundraising evaluation of our 1 to 1 programme. programme. • Improve the referrals to our services by 15%.
020 8255 6144
www.leah.org.uk/
info@leah.org.uk
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Eliene is from Brazil and has two young boys.
“My volunteer is Jean who comes to my home once weekly and has made such a big difference to my language skills that I am more confident in having everyday conversations and getting on with life now. It’s everyday things like going to speak to teachers at the nursery, visiting the Post Office, explaining the bus route, looking at the tube maps and understanding instructions that are now so much easier.
I would highly recommend any student to contact LEAH for help if they want to improve their English speaking. They are friendly, professional and really understand how to improve people’s quality of life through learning.”
this morning “My first lesson I could an th went better ped for. I was possibly have ho s beforehand, feeling so nervou t there it was but once I go d I thoroughly very relaxed an ur. I really just enjoyed the ho thank you for wanted to say is training and giving me all th position to be putting me in a as rewarding ng hi doing somet ago I couldn’t as this. A year I could do it.” have imagined eer
LEAH Volunt
THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS, VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT
Registered Charity No. 1153425
info@leah.org.uk
www.leah.org.uk/
020 8255 6144