Community group holding English classes for refugees
Castlepollard’s newest community group is hosting English classes for Ukrainian refugees.
Forty two of the refugees who recently moved into the former Maple Court Nursing Home are taking language classes being run by volunteers in conjunction with the Water Street Association, a cultural and arts group formed late last year.
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, one of the founders of the association, Rachel Cassen, said that her group was eager to help the town’s newest residents in any way they could.
"When something like this happens we must act. I was put into contact with a local woman Tetyana Prokopenko, who is originally from Ukraine. I told here that we wanted to do something but that I wasn’t sure what to do."
After meeting the refugees in their new home on the Collinstown road, it was quickly identified that many of them wanted to learn English so that they would be able to work and integrate into their new community better.
Rachel says that the classes are focused on teaching everyday phrases and words that will help learners when they are accessing services and applying for jobs.
"Some people had bad memories of school but we have reassured them that they will not be made feel stupid. We are trying to make the classes as practical and enjoyable as possible."
Fagan’s sponsored free copy books and pens for the learners, while Rachel says that the Water Street Association is in discussions with a Castlepollard based firm about sponsoring the initiative. The response from the refugees participating in the classes has been very positive, she says.
"They are a great group, incredibly friendly, dignified, gracious and thankful."
In addition to the language classes, the association is running a number of projects that can be accessed by the entire community, including yoga classes and a ‘Community On the Move’ fitness programme in conjunction with Westmeath Sports Partnership, and they are hosting a Street Feast on June 25.
The association’s base is also now home to the North Westmeath Community Cinema.