What We Do
United Mothers
“United Mothers” was named by participants in our first group, who acknowledged the commonalities between women from all backgrounds, including those who did not have their own children but cared for others. The project is open to all women from 18 years up, including British women with English as a first language. We believe that we all learn and are enriched by sharing each others’ experiences.
Developing speaking confidence is the priority for UM women. Weekly groups work on issues of interest, developing organically to meet women’s needs. Groups run during school term times and are open-ended.
Face to face sessions are created and led by Pip Lim.
Online sessions are led by ESOL tutors and all work is supported by volunteers.
United Mother
Like a hug when I am blue
No judgment’s given from you
Dear all the volunteers and teachers
Each of you is a great gardener
Taking care of the most beautiful flowers.
United Mothers Community Groups
Tuesday mornings: Ramsgate (Newington)
Wednesday mornings (with creche): central Margate
Thursday afternoons: Literacy classes at Westwood Cross
Friday mornings: central Cliftonville
Places are limited and full risk assessments in place to comply with Covid-19 safety requirements.
To refer someone, please complete this form:
United Mothers Referral Form – download
United Mothers Chatroom Programme on Zoom
Tuesday: Life In The UK – support for UK citizenship test
Speaking Buddies: For women who want to have one to one speaking and befriending practice with a trained volunteer
We support those with little or no digital access and/or literacy.
We can lend tablets and provide translated and 1:1 training.
To refer someone, please complete this form:
United Mothers Chatroom Referral Form – download
For further enquiries, please contact us at: [email protected] or call 07516 552928
Community Networking, Events and Integration
Sharing and learning with our partners is an integral part of the work. We believe that integration is multi-directional and we all have a responsibility and interest in getting to know each other.
Networking
We are members of:
- SESPM (South East Strategic Partnership for Migration)
- NATECLA (National Association of Teachers of English and Community Languages for Adults)
- NCVO (National Council of Voluntary Organisations)
- ACEVO (Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations)
- Women’s Resource Centre network
- Margate Early Learning Community
BTP works closely with local providers of early years childcare, schools, community health, refuges and adult education.
Until the pandemic, we ran:
TEN (Thanet ESOL Network) for providers to share information and respond to emerging learner needs.
United Mothers HAG (Health Advisory Group), meeting regularly as adviser/ consultants to providers and researchers.
Coming up:
- UM members are participant/ consultants on Families Support Families,
a programme run by the Education People.
Community Events
We frequently join community events, for example taking our “Hands of Friendship Tree” into junior schools, refuges, anti-racism events, church and festivals, eg Windmill Community Gardens Strawberry Fair.
Our large-scale events develop out of the United Mothers sessions, following an interest or idea which we explore. For example, “Take Flight” followed several months work on migration journeys into and around Thanet, common language backgrounds and learning about each others’ countries.
This became a highly-creative event, including an interactive game for visitors, movement and song, and food from around the world, all prepared with and by United Mothers.
Integration
All our work is aimed at building strong, positive relationships between those born outside the UK and local residents and organisations.
We regard this as a multi-layered and directional approach, meaning that everyone in the community holds a responsibility to create these connections and find ways to overcome linguistic and cultural obstacles to understanding and friendship.
We provide opportunities for partner professionals to spend time with us, and offer consultancy on ways to more effectively engage those from minority ethnic backgrounds.
Speaking Buddies (women and men)
Volunteers provide essential 1:1 conversation practice.
This can be for between 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the woman’s confidence and ability. At present this is all online. Speaking Buddies do not have to be teachers, just friendly, reliable and very patient. We ask for an initial weekly commitment of 3 months. Regular peer group meetings and online support is provided.
For more information or to apply, please complete this form.
For more information please contact us [email protected]
Beyond The Page Ltd is a private company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (company number: 09510474)
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