It's Volunteers' Week 2023 and we are celebrating our volunteers who devote much of their free time to helping people learn English language skills needed for life and work, through online classes.

Debbie is one our volunteers supporting English language courses online.  She says:

"I was attracted to volunteering at Fircroft because it is a small, friendly college with a really supportive atmosphere.  Before the COVID-19 pandemic, I completed my training through the Talk English project and then started volunteering in an ESOL class.  Since then, I completed further training and now support ESOL students online, helping them to improve their English language skills and I have been doing this for just over a year. 

I really enjoy volunteering.  My confidence has improved, I’ve learnt new things – and I have  improved my digital skills, never having used Zoom before.  I received great support to build my confidence and capability in working with students online and it’s very rewarding to see the students progress and achieve. 

I have loved volunteering with the college so much that at some point I would like to progress into paid employment in a similar role somewhere."

Our ESOL volunteers are integral to helping us widen our offer of English language teaching in the community and giving people from other countries the opportunity to succeed and progress in the West Midlands, for which we are so grateful!