Over 80 people from 15 different countries come to St. Mary’s each week. They want to learn how to speak English and how life in Sheffield works.

The projects are all supported by an amazing network of volunteers who come along to learn new skills, gain experience to enhance their CV, ability to carry out their job, or just to get a taste of different work. Since November 2005 we are delighted to have had the support of over 50 volunteers forging relationships with people new to Sheffield. Today, volunteer’s help people speak, read and write English, find their way around a strange new city and deal with the challenges of day to day life. At the heart of all these projects real relationships are being forged, volunteers become a name and a friendly face in a sea of strangers. Without volunteers we simply couldn’t do any of this.

We try to match real needs and aspirations within the community to the needs and aspirations of volunteers. Many of the people we work with are surprised at the insights that develop through their relationships with learners. People who volunteer gain unexpected rewards for their efforts, like Melanie a volunteer mentor, “I live in Nether Edge but didn’t really know about the Asian Community, I feel like I’m helping but really I’m learning too”.

We believe that when it works best, volunteering is reciprocal and creates a real sense of community spirit.

Learners are now becoming volunteers, passing on their experience and understanding of life in a different culture.

Volunteer English Tutor

Volunteer Survival Guide Tutor
Volunteer tutors facilitate learning sessions based upon the Survival Guide which helps people new to the country settle in to life in Sheffield. Working with groups of six to eight learners volunteers help learners understand aspects of life in the city such as when to call 999, how to find your child a place in school or set up a bank account. You may find yourself taking a group of learners on a trip to the doctor’s surgery or in a classroom helping them to understand how to open a bank account. Here’s what volunteers love about being involved…

“The rewards I’ve got from working with the learners, I’ve really enjoyed teaching. There’s less pressure with volunteering than work. You can make bonds with people, that’s the beauty of it, personal relationships without the pressures of professional aspects of work”
Mary, Volunteer Survival Guide Tutor

Volunteer Mentor
Volunteer mentors are matched with a mentee – usually someone who is getting used to life in a new country. By building trust, learning about and developing good communication skills and entering into reciprocal learning, mentors help mentees consider what they need to learn in order to settle into life in a new place.

“I would recommend the programme to anybody who wants to do something meaningful and explore their new career possibilities. You never know when and how a door to unlimited possibilities will open for you. Mentoring Programme at St Mary has been a way for me.”
Barbara, volunteer mentor

Volunteer Youth Workers
Assist paid staff in delivering a varied youth programme which encourages the development of children and young people through relationship building. This work applies to a varied street and centre based programme.

Volunteer Drama Workshop Assistants
Help staff running drama based activities through which children, adults and vulnerable adults can learn acting skills and techniques which become transferable skills for everyday life. Current projects include working within schools, facilitating drama workshops to help pupils explore confidence and self-esteem. A regular lunch drama club is also established within the school.

Lunch Club Support Volunteer
Help run the weekly lunch club for senior citizens from the local area. You may be serving food, helping out on an outing to the seaside or simply enjoying a cup of tea and a chat.