English for Women
Become part of the story
Are you living in the UK and want to improve your English?
Do you want to improve your English so you can be part of your local community, find a job, support your child at school, access local services, or just have a conversation with your neighbour?
Have you been unable to learn because you have a pre-school age child?
Then come and join an English for Women session where a warm welcome, conversation-led learning and a lively community awaits you.
English for Women sessions (women-only + play-area provided for pre-school children):
Chelmsford - Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10am-12pm
Goodmayes - Thursday 10am-12pm
English for All sessions (women and men - no play area)
Chelmsford - Monday 9.30am-11.30am
Online - Wednesday 10am-11am
English for Women WarmSpace (women only, pre-school children welcome)
Chelmsford - Wednesday 10am-12pm
EfW Online
Via Zoom - Wednesday 10am-11am
All sessions are free and supported by volunteers.
“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, it’s very interesting to learn traditions of different countries.”
EfW Learner
Our Story
English for Women is an exciting and vibrant project that makes a real difference to those in our communities who encounter language barriers in their everyday lives.
The first sessions took place in 2015 and were started by Heike Prentice, an Ordinand at Chelmsford Cathedral, with just three Afghan Women.
The project has grown to support women from all over the world who now live in our communities.
Chelmsford Cathedral supported English for Women from its inception, allowing the project to grow and flourish as the need grew, and continues to support the project today. However, in January 2018 Chelmsford Cathedral handed the project on to Chelmsford Diocese Mothers’ Union who it was felt could provide a more focussed level of support as the project continued to grow.
Get involved
English for Women supports those in our communities who would otherwise be isolated by language barriers. Our conversation-led learning, community ethos and warm welcome enables women, especially those with preschool age children, to improve their English, understand British culture and build a supportive network of friends.
As a project which started with a smile, our ethos of Smile, Talk, Listen, Support, and the dedication of the English for Women volunteer teams, helps hundreds of learners every year. Our primary aim is to reduce isolation, which can cause such challenges for women in our communities, and support learners as they develop the skills and local knowledge needed for everyday life in the UK.
At English for Women, learning is at the heart of each session, but of equal importance is the opportunity to build friendships and community; a real lifeline for many.
All women are welcome regardless of nationality, culture, faith or language, and our English for Women sessions are supported by female-only volunteers. Our English for All sessions support men and women and are a new addition to the English for Women family.
English for Women is a wonderfully rewarding project that would not exist without the commitment and dedication of the amazing teams of volunteers and the financial support of the church community, local businesses, individual donors, and Chelmsford Diocese Mothers’ Union. We have also been delighted to receive funding support from the Church Welfare Association and Essex Community Foundation which enables English for Women to make such a positive difference in our communities.
If you are interested in how you can “become part of the story” and support this amazing community project, please contact us as admin@englishforwomen.org or visit our website for more details.
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