Endorsement for our work with Southfields Academy

We received this lovely letter from Southfields Academy, earlier this week, endorsing the work we do in the school (which we have done for a number of years). Mery, who works in our Love to Learn education team, supports unaccompanied minors, mainly from Eritrea, settle into the school and get ahead with their education. The letter highlights the extent of work we do with the school. We have a great relationship with the team at Southfields and long may it continue. 

2nd July 2021

To whom it may concern,

This is to express our thanks for the invaluable contribution from Love to Learn to the International Group over the past years. We are grateful to work with Mery M. and to acknowledge her extensive support especially with the Eritreans, the UASC young people.

• Acts as an interpreter of Tigrinya liaising in school; interpreting in meetings through face to face with a teacher / young person; brings clarity about rules, ethos and culturally appropriate issues
• Attends some PEP /TAC meetings to support young person, as an advocate, a voice to share their problems
• Acts as an interpreter for the young person via telephone calls to solicitors, social workers, foster carers/ keyworkers/personal advisers
• Follows up on Home Office issues, supporting young person with updates about their refugee status
• Provides first language support to promote access to the curriculum for Beginners to English
• Supports in lesson- using bilingual skills to access the language. Withdrawal and 1:1 support at the early stages of learning English as an Additional Language
• Signposts to appropriate welfare agencies to support the young person
• Engages in pastoral provisions- raises concerns for at risk young people who struggles with mental health and social and emotional issues
• Establishes link to Learning Mentor via Love to Learn team
• Supports family reunion, link with social services, SLRA
• Actively engaged during the lockdown period with direct phone calls to check up on the wellbeing of the most vulnerable who were isolated
• Organises occasions for the group of students to visit iconic places in London and to celebrate their achievements
• Contributes towards cultural celebration at International Evening

Yours sincerely,

Southfields Academy