E D U C AT I O N
Sharing London with
Experience English
WORDS RODRIGO SANCHEZ
Rodrigo is studying for a Masters in
Contemporary Ethics and works at Hounslow
Council. In his spare time, he volunteers for
the ESU’s Experience English programme,
run in partnership with the Helen Bamber
Foundation. Volunteers provide one-to-one
language support for London refugees who are
victims of human rights violations, but there’s
more to it than that….
I decided to volunteer for Experience
English because I have always believed in
“doing one’s bit” for the community but
more importantly, I wanted to show and
share the best of Britain to newcomers to
this country.
After attending an interview, I was
invited to a “meet and greet” with other
volunteers on the programme at the
headquarters of the Helen Bamber
Foundation in Camden. I am fortunate
enough to have been partnered with a
man from Sri Lanka who is incredibly
keen on immersing himself in everything
Britain has to offer and so far, we have
been to the Victoria and Albert Museum
twice and the British Museum twice! It
was a trip down memory lane for me as
the last time I had been to both these
venues was when I was just a kid. At the
same time it has been a real treat for me
also, because it makes you appreciate the
historical gems we have here in London.
Throughout our adventures, my
client and I have always found time to
catch up with each other whilst taking
a break and giving our feet a rest. I
find this important as it provides an
opportunity to check that everything
is going OK in the client’s life and
offer a sympathetic ear. On the other
hand, it helps for a bond to form over
time enabling the partnership between
volunteer and partner to operate
within a more trusting environment.
What a journey it has been so far: from
Renaissance Europe and Roman Britain
through to South East Asia and Imperial
China and Japan. I have done more air
miles in four weeks than most people
have done in four years!
On the last week we meet, I have
arranged through my MP a free tour of
the Houses of Parliament. If we are lucky
we might also enjoy a spot of tea on the
terrace overlooking the Thames.
Thank you to the ESU and the
Helen Bamber Foundation for giving
me the opportunity to contribute to this
programme. Learning the language of
the host country is incredibly important
as the first and most important
step towards integrating within the
community. Experience English is
showing through its work that by
immersing participants within the life
of the community, they too can enjoy
being Londoners!
NEXT CHANCE
We recruit for new volunteers in London twice
a year. Visit www.esu.org/experienceenglish to
find out more or email [email protected].
ESU| 29