Our Volunteers
Volunteering for English for Women is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to make a real difference and help women with English as a second language to feel at home here in Chelmsford.
Our aims are to prevent isolation, give women the opportunity to participate in conversational learning, and to support integration into their local community.
English for Women runs drop in centres (term time only) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10-12 in central Chelmsford, Thursdays 10-12 in Goodmayes, and session for all (including men) on Mondays 9.30am-11.30am and online on Wednesdays at 10am. Volunteers (and team leaders) are asked to commit to attending only one session per week. We ask volunteers to arrive 15 minutes before the session to help set up, and to expect to leave 15 minutes after the session to help clear away.
There are opportunities to help in the play area and in the learning support groups, and we ask that volunteers are prepared to do either, as the session requires. Teaching experience is not required, all we ask is that you are an English speaker (neutral accent), have an enthusiasm and patience to talk with women (and men for volunteers at EfA sessions) of all backgrounds, and work well in a team.
If you would like to join our volunteer teams, please register your interest by completing the form below.
English for Women is a vibrant and rewarding project, and the ethos of smile, talk, listen, help, fosters a commitment and dedication in our volunteers that is the bedrock of our success.
Feedback from volunteers
- Rewarding
- Fun
- An opportunity to learn
- Fulfilling
- Satisfying
“I really enjoy it – it’s interesting and rewarding. I get to meet women from all over the world and learn about their cultures. I see in real life women who are living through political events reported on the news.”
Register your interest to become a volunteer
Comments from our learners
“EFW is a welcoming place, [it] is an opportunity to improve my English, to understand English culture. I like to come here, to talk with people. EFW is a very friendly place.”
“EFW is a very friendly and helpful community. I learnt a lot about British traditions and everyday life, and also discovered many interesting facts. I met new people and made new friends, we often go out for a coffee and it’s very interesting to learn traditions of different countries.
I would like to say thank you to all our wonderful teachers and volunteers for your time and interesting lessons. Every time when I come home after my classes I have some new interesting information about England to share with my husband J .”
“English for Women helped me to improve my English, also let me [gain] confidence and encourage. I can make an appointment by myself. I think English for Women learning class is very important for me and useful. All English [for] Women were so kindly and patient, slowly explain.”
“They [my children] are happy and like playing with other children. It helps their English.”
“EFW has given me more help in speaking, reading and writing English. I am more confident now to use the internet here. I have made new friends at EFW. EFW helps me when I go shopping or to school with my son.”
“[EFW has] helped with shopping, when friends come I can communicate with them. Also my grandchildren.”
“English [for] Women has helped me – I go to playgroup, park and can talk to different people. On the bus coming here, I talk to people on the bus. At home with my children, I talk English to them. At the doctor I can talk to Dr, make an appointment on my own. I am very happy when I come here. I like reading and writing and talking.”
“Big thanks to everyone who works at EFW. EFW is very important for women because a woman doesn’t have many opportunities to learn without children. This is very different from other English classes as it’s not formal. It’s like being at home. Lots of people meet together from other countries and can feel and share together. Very important. I would give all the volunteers a big trophy to say thanks.”