19
TRUST WA I KATO
ANNUAL REPORT
2 0 1 4
English language class participants
The Waikato region has become home to a growing
number of migrants and refugees. Those settling
outside of Hamilton in smaller towns, often find
themselves rurally isolated, with limited access to
support services. Language barriers, among other
things, can be a significant obstacle to settling in
New Zealand and becoming part of a new community.
English Language Partners Waikato (ELP Waikato)
provides English language classes and one to one
home tutoring specifically for migrants and refugees.
Its team of experienced volunteer tutors support
learners to gain confidence and independence
through being able to communicate in their new home
- New Zealand.
ELP Waikato’s work extends beyond simply offering
help with learning English; it recognises that there
are other needs such as access to information and
support once people arrive in New Zealand. Through
establishing a three-year strategic partnership with
Trust Waikato in 2013, ELP Waikato has been able to
grow its services across the Waikato region.
A pilot was run in Te Awamutu with an initial pool of
migrants willing to talk about issues relating to their
settlement in a rural community. The results revealed
that migrants needed ongoing social and language
support to enhance their successful integration into
the community.
English Language Partners Waikato:
supporting rural migrants and refugees
with English language skills
Strategic Partnership
Other rural communities have since been included in
the programme such as Otorohanga and Te Kuiti.
ELP Waikato actively recruits new volunteers to work
with migrants requiring support. There is currently a
night class running in Te Awamutu for those wanting
to improve their workplace communication. The day
class running in Te Kuiti focuses on English language
to support a group of Samoan women (partners of
employees at the local meat works) looking for work.
ELP Waikato’s manager Jo de Lisle says, “We are
delighted to be able to work with Trust Waikato on
this exciting project. Waikato has been identified as a
high need area. It would be great if this project could
help to find some ways to make living in
New Ze
aland everything new migrants have been
hoping for.”
$83,000
TRUST WAIKATO DONATION 2013
tutoring
AVAILABLE 1:1 IN HOMES
RECEIVING A VARIETY
OF SUPPORT
400+
learners
