Our lovely volunteers are all things to all people!  Not only do they provide conversation practice and grammar advice but also they help with so many problems and issues; from how to pass the driving theory test, to advice on where to get formal English lessons as well as some more serious issues with migration and mental wellbeing.  They discuss all sorts of topics such as local history and what’s in the news or whatever the chatters would like to talk about. We are also able to direct chatters to the Cost of Living Cafe where they can get help with finances and money matters.  Even if they don’t need this advice, it useful for their language development.  It never ceases to amaze me how adaptable, resourceful and faithful our volunteers are; we couldn’t do this without them. 

It is noticeable that the majority of our chatters are female, particularly among the Muslim and Indian communities but it has been heartening to see one or two husbands coming in as they realise how much we can help them.  We are also very pleased to be welcoming so many Hong Kong Nationals this term after the very successful course which ran earlier in the year. 

Meanwhile, it’s a bitter sweet occasion when chatters leave us because they have found work and this has happened with a few of our regulars this term.  We miss them, but they keep in touch and pop back in when they get a chance.  It was particularly lovely to hear of one young mum who found a job as an assistant at Victoria Park Nursery earlier this year and has now been offered full training to become a Nursery Teacher.  She has told me that she feels it was only because of the help she received at The Chatty Corner that gave her the confidence to go for the job and she is so happy to have been offered this opportunity.