ESOL NI – E-zine Winter Edition – Feb 2025 – Updates and information via E-zine main PDF document and additional attachments

ESOL NI – E-zine Winter 2025 Edition (Feb 2025)

For full details, contacts and web links please refer to the ESOL NI E-zine main PDF document the ESOL NI E-zine main PDF document

Section 1: General Education opportunities to ESOL learners

Section 2: News and Updates – ESOL sector (teachers/volunteers) and stakeholders in Northern Ireland

1. General Education opportunities to ESOL learners

• List of ESOL community classes by postcode – compiled by community volunteers – from January 2025:

See list enclosed (Word document), with thanks to Johanne Martin and Angela Russell

• Belfast Met Winter Warmer Campaign – for students enrolled in the Belfast Met courses only:

FREE breakfast or lunch every day for students who participate across all campuses until funds are exhausted. Through the daily Winter Warmer Campaign Information Briefing, we also hope to raise awareness of initiatives and schemes that may be of help to our students at this time.

Starting on 18^th February 2025 – Registration opens at 8:00am and closes at 1:00pm Daily – link sent to all students via email.

• The King’s Trust – Development Fund opportunity to students from a refugee background:

Reminder!

The King’s Trust offers grants of up to £500 available for NEET young people who need to fund a course fee, course equipment, clothing for a job, travel cards to college etc.

Please see enclosed flyer (PDF document) for more information 😊

• Queen’s University – ESOL informal classes (face-to-face):

Details on the E-zine PDF document attached.

• GEMS NI, on behalf of Belfast City Council, offers a new programme called Future Forward:

If you, or someone you know, would like to participate – either as a mentor or a mentee – please contact John Orsi at GEMS NI. He’ll be able to give you more information –  John.G2C@gemsni.org.uk.

1. News and Updates – ESOL sector (teachers/volunteers) and stakeholders in Northern Ireland

• Ramadan resources and links for ESOL teachers and volunteers:

Details on the E-zine PDF document attached.

• Join Us for the Stronger Together Sanctuary Movement Conference:

This conference will bring together people from all sectors, including advocates, policymakers, and community leaders, providing opportunities to discuss best practices in supporting people seeking sanctuary in Northern Ireland. It will be guided by the movement’s core principles of Learning, Embedding, and Sharing.

• Prominent Keynote Speakers: Gain insights from leading experts and practitioners in the field, including Dr. Veronica Crosbie, Chairperson of Places of Sanctuary Ireland, and Maggie Filipova-Rivers, Regional Coordinator and Local Authority Network Lead for UK Councils of Sanctuary.
• Panel Discussion with Lived Experience Guests: Hear firsthand stories from individuals who have experienced the challenges and triumphs of seeking sanctuary. This panel will provide unique perspectives and valuable lessons on the importance of compassionate and inclusive policies.
• Workshops on Various Strands of the Sanctuary Movement

—

More news in the E-zine PDF document attached