Make English classes accessible for migrant women

Need

Free English classes have been cut across London. For mothers with young children, it can be particularly hard to access an English class as free childcare has also been cut from much of the current provision.

Migrants in London are disproportionately affected by low wages, discrimination, poor housing and public sector cuts. Lack of English compounds these difficulties, and makes it harder for migrants to get work, make friends, access services and support their children.

Solution

By providing free English classes with creches for people who need them, we will enable female migrants and refugees to thrive here in the UK.

Our classes are warm, inclusive spaces. Students learn English, but they also get to know each other and get practical support to improve their lives.

Here's what one of our students, Maria, says about the difference English classes have made for her: "Before I wasn’t able to talk with my daughter’s teachers or GP. Now I feel more free."

Aim 1

Make our English classes accessible to female migrants and refugees with young children

Activities

» Provide a free creche for as many of our English classes as possible

What success will look like

Improved numbers of women attending our English class across London

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Impact

Higher numbers of women attending our classes due to creches being available will result in more female migrants and refugees improving their English language and literacy. This will make participants better able to improve other parts of their lives: their housing, find work (or better work), make friends outside their linguistic communities, support their children’s education and access further educational opportunities. Female migrants will be better able to fulfil their potential.

Risk

There are few risks, any creches we provide will be a bonus as we already run the English language classes.

Reporting

We will provide case studies of students who have been able to attend English classes because of the free creche so that donors can see the direct impact they have had. They will also receive a copy of our annual report and will be invited to classes!

Budget - Project Cost: £4,800

	Amount	Heading	Description
	£2,400	2 Creche workers	Costs for 2 creche workers for a whole year of classes
	£2,400	2 Creche workers	Costs for 2 creche workers for a whole year of classes

Current Funding / Pledges

Source	Amount
Big Lottery Awards for All	£10,000	Conditional
Co-op Community funding	£5,000	Conditional
Santander Grants	£5,000	Conditional

Location

Our classes take place in community locations across the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, Lambeth, Hackney, Southwark, Lewisham and Greenwich. We are committed to the areas where we work and run courses in partnership with host institutions like schools, mosques and community centres.

Our beneficiaries are 'hard-to-reach' migrants who are blocked from accessing mainstream English classes due to insecure immigration status or lack of childcare. Many don't work or are low-income.

Beneficiaries

At least 30 female migrants and refugees who have young children. They will be able to attend our English classes and, consequently, the lives and wellbeing of their children will be improved as their mothers gain more opportunities and skills.