We invite you to view our video and to read about the SECAD approach to setting up our English Conversation Clubs.
The SECAD SICAP community team began in late 2021, exploring the possibility of setting up Fáilte Isteach style English Conversation Classes in the South and East Cork area. This was in direct response to the then rising number of new arrivals into area, at the time mainly from Syria, through the Community Sponsorship Initiative as well as the Resettlement programme.
As if right on cue, in March 2022, SECAD got the first English conversation class underway in Midleton. This coincided with the first of the Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) arrivals into the area.
Over the last two years, the Midleton structure has grown significantly with approximately 40 volunteer tutors and 30/40 students now attending every week. Midleton is now affiliated with the 300-group strong Fáilte Isteach national programme and has shown its sustainability due to the strong community of volunteers who organise and attend every week.
From mid-2022 right through 2024, there was an explosion in the numbers of BOTPs and International Protections Applicants (IPAs) arriving into the East and Mid Cork area. The SECAD SICAP team worked tirelessly onsite to provide relevant signposting (health and social welfare supports), initial orientation (linkage to local community bodies), wellbeing supports (to support early integration into the unknown), as well as employment supports (to access local jobs market).
We very quickly concluded that one of the main stumbling blocks to any level of integration by our new arrivals was a lack of English language competency. This was the rationale for a planned scale up of English Conversation Clubs to other hubs around the SICAP area, including Macroom, Millstreet, Youghal and Cobh.
Stakeholders Involved
During this time, SECAD worked in collaboration with several key agencies and played an active role in several inter-agency networks dedicated to supporting the New Arrivals. These included the Macroom Inter-agency group focused on supporting IPAs resident in the Riverside Accommodation centre.
This Group includes SECAD, Tusla, HSE, Riverside DP Centre management and is focused on specific needs arising at Riverside Emergency Accommodation Centre. It enables potential issues to be flagged and co-ordinated plans for support to be put in place in a timely fashion.
Another multi-agency grouping, CARA East Cork group involves SECAD, Family Resource Centres, HSE, and Library staff which has been effective in terms of providing support for Syrian and other new Communities. It facilitates the organisation of collaborative outings and linking groups such as Cobh Craft Group in with appropriate supports.
Additional to these collaborations, our SICAP integration team has been a contributor to the Cork County Integration Forum (formerly the County Response Forum for Ukraine supports) since its inception in 2022 through 2024.
These meetings take place bi-monthly and are attended by upwards of 30 representatives from a variety of agencies including the County Council, Cork-based LDCs, DEASP, HSE, Red Cross, ETB, etc.
SICAPs Contribution
Between the four areas targeted, there are there are fourteen (14) Accommodation Centres hosting in excess of 2,600 residents. The centres include Redbarn in Youghal, Trabolgan in Whitegate, the Imperial Hotel in Youghal, Wisteria House in Cloyne, Bellavista in Cobh, Ashbourne House in Glounthaune, Penns Hotel in Macroom, Lissarda House in the Warrensgrove Estate, Lake House Hotel in Inchigeela, Riverside in Macroom, Drishane in Millstreet, the Green Glens Arena and Wallis Arms Hotel in Millstreet.
There are also many BOTPs living in accommodation under the Offer a Home scheme supported by Cork County Council, not included in the estimate figure above.
During 2024, we secured additional SICAP funding through the New Arrivals funding, which enabled us to contract four community facilitators to begin the rollout of English Conversation Clubs in the named areas. The four facilitators began the process of promoting the clubs, finding suitable venues, recruiting volunteer tutors and learners. This work was done with the collaboration and support of other stakeholders in the four areas, including Family Resources Centres, Cork County Libraries, BOTP and IPA Accommodation centres and management, as well as local community organisations including active retirement groups.
Interventions, Participants and Progressions
- Youghal has currently two separate classes up and running – one takes place in a local café each Wednesday, the other in Youghal Library every Friday morning. There are approximately 15 volunteer tutors and over 30 learners attending each week.
- Cobh also has two classes taking place in Cobh Library every Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoon. Here, there are 13 volunteer tutors and 15 learners.
- In Macroom, a class takes place every Wednesday morning in the Pitch and Putt club. This is attended by 8 volunteer tutors and 10 students.
- The Millstreet class takes place in the Parish Hall every Wednesday night with over ten volunteer tutors and 12 learners attending each week.
All four English Conversation Clubs became affiliated with Fáilte Isteach in September/October and each group of volunteer tutors has attended comprehensive training.
The volunteer tutors mostly comprise retired individuals who have spare time on their hands. Many live alone and have spoken about feeling isolated. Other tutors live in accommodation centres and have excellent English. They want to volunteer and help their fellow residents who may be struggling.
The learners are a mix of BOTP/IPA centre residents and individuals who have lived in the community for some time and have not seen improvements in their spoken English. Many are working and are just getting by.
The English Conversation clubs are still growing and developing in their respective areas, yet they already provide more than the transfer of skills and knowledge, they are making a positive difference to all involved. We can see that the English Conversation clubs are already breaking down the barriers that migrants and communities face by extending the hands of friendship and goodwill. With the backing of stakeholders, we will continue to support the clubs and help them become a sustainable resource in their communities.
| SICAP Case Study 2024 | SECAD English Conversation Clubs |
| LDC | SECAD Partnership CLG |
| Lot No. | 18-4 South & East Cork |
| Thematic focus area | Refugee and migrant rights and integration |
| Hubs Targeted | Youghal, Cobh, Macroom, & Millstreet, (Midleton) |
| Link to Video | SECAD English Conversation Clubs |
