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Over 100 supporters, their family and friends raised £6,000 at LEAH’s annual fundraising dinner last month in aid of the charity’s English language and literacy projects in Richmond, Kingston and Hounslow.

A delicious Indian buffet and entertainers known as the Bollywood Vibes set the scene.  Guests crowded the dance floor, showing-off their moves.  It proved to be a terrific warm-up for the auction that followed.

Wielding a golf club (instead of a gavel), well-known charity auctioneer Chris Mills successfully coaxed bidders to achieve the highest ever result for a LEAH fundraising event.

Director Jenny Irish said, “It was great fun and a delight to meet so many tutors and their friends and family.  I want to thank the local businesses and supporters who generously donated prizes for the raffle and auction, and especially The Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club who waived the cost of the venue”.

At Learn English At Home (LEAH) we are seeking new trustees with the skills and experience to complement our existing Board and support the charity as it grows and develops.  If you are passionate about languages, cultures and social cohesion, this could be the right voluntary role for you.

Becoming a LEAH trustee is a great opportunity to contribute your knowledge and experience, gain new skills and be part of an organisation making a real difference to the lives of vulnerable individuals to support them to learn English, improve their confidence, support them to find out more about local services and as a result build stronger, more integrated communities.

We are particularly looking for a ‘Treasurer and Trustee’ as well a ‘Trustee' with specialist skills in Marketing and Communications’

To find out more, including how to apply, read our recruitment pack here.

Best wishes,

Jenny.

Please join us for LEAH’s annual fundraising dinner at the splendid Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club in Richmond’s Old Deer Park for an Indian-themed evening of food and entertainment.   Enjoy a feast of delicious meat, vegetarian and vegan main dishes, accompanied by a selection of tasty sides for £40. There will be a cash bar for wine and beer. Bollywood music and dance will entertain guests during the evening.

We have some high-value items for auction and a wide range of raffle prizes. So, why not book a table for an evening of fun, friendship and fundraising.   Please let us know if you have any particular dietary, or accessibility requirements.

Tickets are available online here. If you wish to book a table for eight or ten places, please email events@leah.org.uk and we will provide you with payment options. Once we’ve received payment your place is confirmed.

We had a fabulous day trip to Kew Gardens with a group of LEAH learners from Kingston, Richmond and Hounslow, their preschool children and some of our volunteer tutors this week.  Many of the learners had never been to Kew Gardens before and really enjoyed this new experience in beautiful surroundings.  Our volunteer tutors showed small groups round the gardens, practising English along the way.

Some of the plants, especially in the Waterlily House, reminded learners of their own countries and it was lovely sharing these memories with them and learning from them.   We also admired the Chihuly iconic artwork installations.

Then a highlight of the day was the best group picnic ever!  Lots of laughter, chatting and sharing the most delicious home cooked food.

The trip was made possible through our membership of the Kew Gardens Community Membership Scheme.

In partnership with Cultivate London, and the Growing together Project, Learn English at Home is offering free English sessions for adults with low levels of English.

At these sessions, which are to take place at Ham Youth Centre (directions), attendees will be able to practise speaking English whilst learning about growing plants. These sessions are free and refreshments will be provided. Children are also welcome and travel can be provided if required.

The sessions will take place on a Monday morning between 10am and 11.30 am during the summer months and will start on 1 July 2019 with ongoing registration.

Ham Youth Centre is on Ham Close, Ham, TW10 7PL. These activities are based outdoors so it is important to dress appropriately for the weather.  You might even need a sun hat!

To register, contact LEAH on 020 8255 6144 or email info@leah.org.uk.

26/06/19-EJL

Exciting news! Two LEAH students have been recognised for progression, dedication, hard work and resilience this year under the ‘Kingston Adult Achievers’ Awards’ scheme which is sponsored by Kingston Rotary Club. This wonderful scheme supports people who have been successful in learning despite difficulties or disadvantage.

We were really delighted to see two of our students Taghreed and Pranvera, receiving certificates and being part of this ceremony. One of our volunteer tutors, Rebecca, read citations about their achievements at the ceremony. A wonderful occasion!

The awards were presented in a short ceremony on 5th June 2019 in the Guildhall, Kingston by Councillor Thay Thayalan, the former Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and Olivia Boult, the Former Deputy Mayor.

05/06/2019 - kb

LEAH has teamed up with two award-winning choirs that promise to entertain, inspire and amuse you with a memorable evening of song (flyer).

Gwalia is a Welsh male choir that has been delighting audiences with its varied repertoire for over fifty years.  They perform traditional Welsh songs, opera choruses, show-tunes and contemporary pieces.

The Rock Choir is the pioneer of the UK’s contemporary choir movement.  Their members sing rock, pop and chart songs ranging from ballads through to up-tempo, contemporary songs.

Please join us for what will be a toe-tapping, feel-good evening.  Proceeds from the concert will go towards LEAH’s projects for 1:1 home tuition and community classes.

Tickets are available online here for £12. Refreshments will be available for a voluntary donation (cash only, please).

Date and time: 29 May 2019 from 07.30pm

Location: Duke Street Church, Duke Street, Richmond TW9 1DH

Contact: Learn English at Home info@leah.org.uk and 020 8255 6144

Despite the very windy weather, we all enjoyed our walk in Bushy Park.  There was a white stag which we all thought unusual.  And lots of bird life to name but we were all confounded by the bright orange growth on this twig.  So any ideas, let us know - apart from ‘orange fungi’ . . . . .  Then we came across this unknown duck – can anyone identify that?

We are hoping to walk again on Friday, 26 April 2019.  We will be meeting at 10.30am as usual, outside TK Maxx as a starting point and all tutors and learners are welcome. So put us in your calendars now as we would love to have more of you with us - and it’s bound to be sunnier!!

If some of your Christmas gifts were wide of the mark, donate them to LEAH where they can be put to good use by raising money for home tuition or community classes. While you’re at it, perhaps you could also reflect on those items languishing at the back of the cupboard or in the loft that are simply begging to be recycled.

Last year our fundraisers made over £500 from the sale of unwanted gifts and raffle tickets at the Ham Parade Market and they aim to do even better at the Surbiton Farmers' Market on Maple Road, on Saturday 18 May between 9am and 1pm.

The items should be unused and in good working order. We’re steering clear of electrical appliances. You can drop off whatever you have at LEAH’s office or call and ask for us to arrange for your items to be collected.

08/01/2019

Jenny Irish will join LEAH on 14 January 2019, following six years at Central London Samaritans where she is currently Head of Branch Operations. Jenny takes over as Director from Kate Brown, who left in October for another opportunity after four years.

As Head of Branch Operations Jenny has led the strategic and operational development of Central London Samaritans to ensure its sustainability in a competitive funding environment.

“I am incredibly excited about joining LEAH at this time with the government’s focus on integration,” said Jenny. “It highlights the need for language support for new arrivals in our communities. I look forward to becoming a champion of LEAH’s model that brings together immigrants with existing residents like their volunteer tutors.”

Read the full announcement here.

10/12/18