Author Archives: Anne Smith
Celebrating the impact of Creative English
Our updated infographic below shows the success of Creative English learners who have participated in the programme under the MHCLG funded Community-based English Language programme from November 2013 to March 2019. While over 10,000 people have participated in the Creative English programme over all, 8,500+ […] Read more…
“Having a go – that’s my superpower!”
“My son says speaking English is my superpower! Now I can make everything ok!” This child viewed his mum’s newfound ability to speak English as her breakthrough talent, but in talking to her it was the willingness to ‘have a go’ that had made the […] Read more…
What is the cost of welcoming refugees?
“And I have a sharp pain here,” I say, pointing to my shoulder. I’m mid-explanation of my symptoms to the woman in the white coat in front of me. I’m taking part in a role play with a learner, modelling how a conversation with a […] Read more…
Why We Need People
The video below is a ‘found poem’ by FaithAction’s very own Dr Anne Smith, taken from an automated transcript of a very important meeting. Now are you what you are A you you you you you you you Using a house in my face You […] Read more…
Celebrating Volunteers: ‘reaching the parts nothing else can’
I am hugely proud and privileged to have the opportunity to work with amazing volunteers across the country who are delivering the Creative English programme in their communities. In this role, I’ve been lucky enough to travel round the country, seeing the amazing work that […] Read more…
The Spider-Man of the 18th
This week, we witnessed Mamoudou Gassama, a migrant from Mali, hit the headlines – with an extraordinary video of him scaling four stories up the side of a building in Paris to rescue a four-year-old child dangling from a balcony. This remarkable feat of resourcefulness […] Read more…
Be who you are—don’t just fit in!
All human beings need a sense of belonging. It is integral to our well-being. A lack of belonging underpins the divisions in UK society that the Casey Review has identified. Segregation, deprivation and social exclusion are both the source and the consequence of failing to feel that we belong.
Fighting feelings of paralysis one cup of tea at a time. A response to Louise Casey’s review
Speaking of her visits to the Calais Jungle, Sharon Kanolik from The Old Vic/The Young Vic said, “I felt more welcomed than I have anywhere else. People invited me into their tents and offered me food. There were lots of moments of hope and humour, meeting bright resilient people.”
Can refugees ever belong?
As I walked into the community café, I saw Rima huddled awkwardly in a corner. I’d met her before. She was living with a friend from my church who had welcomed her into her home and was supporting her in settling in the UK. Today […] Read more…
Seven tips for starting work with refugees
Walking up to the door, I noticed Sahar. She avoided my eye contact and started to shuffle away. I buried my instinct to hurry past her.
