The Rural Refugee Network runs discrete projects that bring the community together to enhance elements of its core aims and role https://www.ruralrefugeenetwork.org/about-us/. RRN takes the management of these projects and our relationships with our generous grant funders and supporters very seriously. Projects are coordinated by our highly qualified and experienced CEO, drawing on trustee experience in delivery, project management and evaluation and the specific expertise of our community of volunteers and qualified professionals. Careful project governance and an inclusive approach ensures that we learn as a community and are able to improve and sustain project outcomes and benefits and build on our successes together.
English for Speakers of Other Languages
The conflict in Ukraine that began in February 2022 has led more than 8 million people to flee their homes for safe haven in other countries (UNHCR, 2023).Over 400 of those are in East Hampshire and in May 2022, RRN identified a need for ESOL provision for newly arrived Ukrainian refugees. RRN’s expertise and experience delivering language lessons as part of its package of support gave it the capability to respond rapidly to fill this gap with an 8-week pilot programme. An evaluation at the end of the pilot found rapidly enhanced language skills and highlighted the value of RRN’s qualified ESOL teachers’ experience in working with refugees. It also found a strong need for further provision. RRN has therefore developed additional language courses in Petersfield and Havant with support and funding from East Hampshire District Council https://www.easthants.gov.uk/, Petersfield Town Council https://www.petersfield-tc.gov.uk/, Hampshire Havant Borough Council https://www.havant.gov.uk/ and HIWCF https://hiwcf.org.uk/. The Rural Refugee Network is grateful to its community for supporting this initiative, such as St Laurence church who provide a free venue.
“For me to speak English, means to write better, to speak better, to read better, to find a good job and to be safe. And help Ukraine”
https://www.ruralrefugeenetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/RRN-ESOL-Report-Havant.pdf
RRN Youth Discovery Project
The Youth Discovery Project supports young people aged 16-19 who came to the UK alone and are therefore in the care of the local authority. The project organises monthly activity days and an annual residential at the Sustainability Centre https://www.sustainability-centre.org/. It benefits from practical support in kind from Bedales School and RRN’s supporters and volunteers and the activities have been funded by the South Downs National Park Youth Action Fund and Nordson Corporation. The young people value the relationships they’ve built, with each other and with the adults on the days out, sharing experiences and learning together in a safe, inclusive atmosphere, finding out about the beautiful countryside we’re surrounded by that they would not otherwise know about.
“It’s very amazing place very green and beautiful and I love nature that’s why I am relaxed in the green place”
“I felt confident and happy. The people here very respectful and their faces smile and it’s very welcome. I am very happy from them.”
An evaluation here confirmed that the supportive community of local volunteers and young people from diverse cultures with shared experience provides a safe space to learn, to understand their local environment, to be creative, to enjoy the outdoors and to have hope for the future.