It has been a busy term so far in the Chatty Corner with over 40 chatters coming every week to practise their spoken English. So many different countries are represented but I don’t think we’ve ever had someone from Madagascar until this term.

The project to help Afghans and Ukrainians is proving to be a great success and we are able to include all nationalities in the more formal “lesson” which takes place every week. The students are very keen; many turn up just for the lesson and others leave their group as soon as they see it getting underway. It’s very rewarding to see them so totally engrossed and engaged in learning.

It’s always good to see Educafe users crossing over from one area to another. One of our long-term chatters has now started attending the seated yoga which of course is so beneficial both for her well being and for her English. We often see young mothers going to the Parent Village as well as coming to the Chatty Corner.

We love hearing from chatters who have moved on and can no longer come to us on a Wednesday. This term we had a visit from a young Iranian lad who first came to us when he was an asylum seeker at the hotel in Thatcham. Now he has settled status and is doing a Motor Vehicle Maintenance course at college as well as working as a mechanic.

Two ladies from Hong Kong who we hadn’t seen for nearly two years, paid us a visit bringing cards and chocolates. They had moved to Coventry but they told us how much they missed the Chatty Corner and that they hadn’t found any equivalent near them.

The effort put in by the volunteers never ceases to amaze me. There are usually at least 15 every week. They are so hard working and above all adaptable. No one ever complains when I add to their group or rearrange the chatters in order to accommodate everyone. This term I’ve been sending out a different “Chatty Idea” each week and it’s rewarding to see volunteers taking these on board.