What is MEP & what might be expected of volunteers?
The Migrant English Project (MEP) is involved in helping individuals whose first language is not English. These individuals are migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.
The project helps these individuals to gain the skills necessary to communicate in English.
It is also a safe and friendly meeting place for individuals who might feel isolated in Brighton and Hove because of their lack of English language, and/or being away from their own countries, and/or not knowing enough people in the community.
Providing support, encouragement, a friendly listening ear and inspiring self-esteem and confidence is just as important as the teaching of English and often the two go hand in hand. Please be aware that some of the students may be particularly vulnerable due to their personal past circumstances and experiences and sensitivity to this is paramount.
To become a volunteer, please fill in the Aplication Form (click here), and we will contact you and invite you to an induction meeting after the references have been checked.
What you can do to help the Migrant English Project
Help to coordinate the project
Teach English.
Help make teas, coffees, lunch for people.
Help make effective teaching aids.
Fundraising.
Organize day trips.
Help to welcome people and chat.
Do you speak any other language? Come and help with translation/ conversation … be an
interpreter!
Do you have the skills to offer welfare rights advice?
There are always jobs to do! Please ask!
The benefits of volunteering
Gain confidence, new skills, training, work experience.
Use your skills and share knowledge.
It feels good – being part of a small, informal and independent project countering the
hostility to migrants found in wider society.
It can help to break down cultural barriers.
Please note that this is a drop-in centre and many teachers and students cannot attend every week or may arrive later. Still we would like to maintain some consistency and regularity with the following timetable:
THE TIMETABLE
OPEN EVERY MONDAY except bank holidays and a short period over Christmas and New Year, depending on who is available to open up and coordinate. Please check summer opening times by ringing the above number to avoid disappointment.
Setting up 10 am to 10:30 am
Lessons from 10:30 am to 1 p.m.
Refreshment/Lunch break* 1–1:30 p.m.
Lessons: 1:30 pm – 4.30 p.m.
* As well as tea, coffee, juice, biscuits and fruit, which are available before and during lessons, a vegan lunch is provided.
We have to be completely cleared and gone before 6 p.m.
Tel. 01273 696104 (Mondays between 10:30 to 4:30 pm) or
07760151949
Please ring or text the number above to let us know if you are unable to come in.
WHO ARE MIGRANTS?
Recent legal definitions identify asylum seekers and refugees as two separate groups.
Accordingly an asylum seeker is a person who has applied for asylum in this country but
still awaiting decision from the home office. A refugee is a person whose claim has been
accepted and he/she is allowed to stay in this country for a temporary or indefinite period.
We prefer the term migrant because it includes the many types of people who cross
borders without differentiating between those that the state judges as either legitimate or
illegal. We believe that no one is illegal and that all people should be free to cross borders
and make their homes wherever they wish.
We oppose the media-inflamed anti-immigration hysteria and the state's border controls,
detention of migrants and deportation. We are committed to solidarity with all migrants.