English lessons for Ukrainian refugees

UKRAINE nationals living in Melksham and the surrounding area have started learning English as a Second Language (ESOL) with Wiltshire Council’s family and community learning team.  

The course aims to help improve English speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, as well as helping them to communicate with host families, improve confidence to support children at school and support the journey into employment.  

There are currently 19 in the Melksham group, which meets at ‘that meeting space’ in the Market Place. Lessons are also being held in Chippenham; with ESOL lessons in Devizes due to start on 8th June and in Calne the week beginning 27th June, with similar numbers of attendees projected.  

People can find out more about the ESOL courses by emailing: familyandcommunitylearning@wiltshire.gov.uk; or by calling 01225 770478. In addition to this support, young people arriving from Ukraine are also being offered information on choices post-16 to support them into education, employment or training while living in Wiltshire. 

Wiltshire Council’s Work Wiltshire webpages have a dedicated section of post-16 options at Support for young people arriving from Ukraine. The pages have information on transport, higher education, community support, and resources/equipment, and can be viewed online by visiting the website: https://workwiltshire.co.uk/young/othercountries/  

Young people from Ukraine that want to access the support will need to complete a referral form to access up to two of the services to support them. Host families are also encouraged to share the information with their guests. 

Wiltshire College is also supporting Ukraine nationals aged 16-18 years by running a Summer School between 20th June and 14th July, this will be 13 hours per week over four weeks. If a young person would like to book an assessment to be able to join the Summer School they can email: Tom.Evans@wiltshire.ac.uk

Leader of Wiltshire Council, cllr Richard Clewer said, “These young people are at a crucial stage where they are trying to carve a future path for a career or training. The upheaval has been tremendously difficult for them and whatever we can do to provide support so they know the options available to them is hugely important. Our host families are doing an amazing job and I would encourage them to ensure our Ukrainian guests are aware of these opportunities.” 

Figures shared by Wiltshire Council on 27th May, show that approximately 2,830 households in Wiltshire have registered for the Homes for Ukraine scheme and currently 447 households have been matched with 1,181 individuals.