Thanks, Derar!
Derar, pictured left, with some members of the ESOL group
Our ESOL support worker, Derar Mohammed, is leaving CVS to take up a new post at the Ecumenical Centre, after co-ordinating the ESOL project for the last four years.
The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) project, supported by CVS, came to a close this month after providing nineteen asylum seekers and refugees in West Lancashire with the chance to learn English in a supportive environment.
The course grew out of the work CVS undertook with the original cohort of refugee families – who were placed in Skelmersdale four years ago under a Home Office resettlement programme.
Our support worker Derar Mohammed is a member of one of these families, and has worked tirelessly to help the students remain in the course – often supporting them with difficulties in their own lives which may have deflected them from continuing. He has gone above and beyond the call of duty on numerous occasions to make sure that participants are supported.
Alongside his support worker role, Derar has also undertaken a Masters degree at the University of Central Lancashire and, after 2 years of part-study, has gained a Distinction in his MA in Interpreting and Translation which he is now putting to good use in his work at the Ecumenical Centre.
Our congratulations go to Derar on this tremendous achievement, and our thanks for all his hard work over the years.
It has been a pleasure a privilege to work with you, Derar, and we wish you all the very best in your future life and work here!
