Flavours of Friendship was a community ESOL and cultural exchange programme in south Birmingham, delivered for Moseley Community Development Trust in partnership with The Springfield Project and funded by West Midlands Strategic Migration Partnership.
The challenge
Some residents benefit less from formal language learning, particularly newly arrived or recently settled women with low confidence or low levels of English. They may need welcoming, practical and relational routes into language practice, community participation and everyday independence before progressing further.
The response
I designed and delivered a six-session programme using food, festivals, shopping, gifting and shared celebration as the vehicle for learning and connection. Ramadan and Easter coincided this year, so I took those as the themes – with practical spoken English, cultural exchange and confidence-building.
We explored traditions around Ramadan and Easter, we went shopping for Iftar gifts, we decorated and filled Iftar gift boxes for each other, we decorated wooden Easter eggs, we learned about Easter in Ukraine, and we shared food from our various traditions.
Outcomes
- 20+ direct beneficiaries engaged overall
- Participants from multiple countries including Yemen, Ukraine, Sudan, Syria
- Increased confidence speaking English in real-life situations
- New friendships across communities
- Greater confidence using buses and attending community venues
- Stronger sense of belonging and reduced isolation
Why it worked
- Friendly, female-centred environment
- Practical learning rather than classroom-only delivery
- Trusted partnership model
- ‘Confidence before progression’ approach
- Culturally rooted activities that encouraged participation
What this demonstrates
I can design and deliver community engagement programmes that help migrant, refugee and newly settled residents build confidence, participation and belonging through accessible, practical formats that complement traditional services and language education.
Suitable buyers
- Local councils
- Housing associations
- Charities
- Refugee support organisations
- Public health teams
- Funders seeking community delivery partners.
