General updates

Facebook group

We're delighted to let you know that we've started a Facebook group - Ludlow Refugee Support Group. The two main administrators for the account are Stefania (a host) and Olena (a local guest from Ukraine). Thanks to both of them for providing access to social media. Please join, as we're hoping this will be a really good way to get messages to hosts and guests about activities and all other information, and very importantly to make contact with one another. So please do sign in, post, and get involved.

English and conversation lessons

Lessons

Daytime English lessons continue to run at the Quakers Meeting House, St Marys Lane, Ludlow SY8 1DZ on:

• Tuesday mornings – 10am–11:45am (three levels of classes)
• Thursday afternoon - 1:30pm–3:15pm (three levels of classes)

Evening English lessons will be commencing on 20 July at the Quakers Meeting House at 6pm. We're aware that many guests have found or are looking for work, and this may have an impact on their ability to attend lessons during  the daytime. If this is the case, please contact Jacki to book your place: Jackiamoore@gmail.com or 07929 656545.

Assessments  (for potential new students)

Saturday 16 July, 3pm-5pm. Please can you contact Jacki Moore to book onto one of the sessions, unless you've already agreed this at a previous lesson. Jackiamoore@gmail.com or mobile 07929656545. If it's more convenient for you to change your lesson day please inform Jacki. Hosts, please can you remind your guests of this.

Conversation sessions

These will start on Saturday 16 July from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. We hope this is a more convenient time for  students, who can then stay for the afternoon social gathering from 3pm to 5pm. Although these sessions are aimed at more able English speakers, we may also be able to offer 1:1 support for students who require specific help with tasks such as writing a CV, applying for a job or other support which would be better suited to a 1:1. Just let us know if you want classes or 1:1 sessions.

Employment support

Shropshire Council's Enable team will be helping people to find employment, write CVs and application forms, understand the types of employment available locally etc. Our first session in Ludlow at the Quakers Meeting House will be at midday on Tuesday 26 July. Please attend if you're looking for a job. Hosts please pass this onto your guests.

Social events

Picnic

We've been offered two possible venues for a group picnic, one in Haytons Bent, and one near Clun. It might be a bring-your-own picnic, but we could supply ice cream!

Cooking together

Would guests like to meet and cook together and then invite other families to join for the meal? We can provide raw ingredients for the meal and source a local kitchen to use. We're looking to hire a venue in Ludlow (just awaiting confirmation on availability etc) and we'll set a date. One of our community volunteers will facilitate at least the initial session, but it would be lovely if guests could get involved, cook the food they love and invite other families and friends to share the food.

Other activities that may be of interest:

• Yoga free of charge
• Craft activities for children, free of charge
• We also have a circus coming to Ludlow for guests to enjoy (free of charge) on Saturday 6 August in the afternoon. We're just arranging the venue.

Please call Erica on 07974 001310 if you'd like to attend any of these activities.

Children’s resources

Children’s clothes

We have eight bags of clothing donated which will be available for guests to look through on Saturday. Please do ask if you need anything specific for both children and adults. We'll do our best to source clothing for all. School uniform, in readiness for September, would also be useful, so please can you ask friends or at your local school to ask parents to donate uniform that’s no longer needed.

Toys

We have had some toys donated, but would like to keep some at the Meeting House and offer some  toys for guests to take home. We've been offered some ride on toys that were asked for specifically by a host who has toddlers arriving. Please do ask if you need anything specific for a child to play with. This includes any games or books. We've also had a range of books donated by Margaret N, Ludlow Library and Castle Bookshop.

Transport

This is proving to be a major barrier for guests to attend lessons, find work and socialise independently. We have a small number of volunteers who are willing to transport people to appointments, and we're going to look into the Community Car Scheme which may prove beneficial in supporting the volunteer base. We'll keep you posted on progress, but please ask us if guests are struggling to access appointments. Peter Higgins is acting as our volunteer transport coordinator, and we're looking for volunteers who are able to help with lifts from: Brown Clee, Cleobury Mortimer, Church Stretton, Clee Hill, Bishops Castle, Church Stretton and the other rural hinterland on the Herefordshire borders.

Peter's contact details are, email peterhiggins4@gmail.com or mobile 07757 989708.