Help Refugees in Newbury Find Their Voice

I’m Jo Allen, a teacher from Newbury with nearly 20 years’ experience helping people learn English. Over the past few years, I’ve worked with Afghan, Ukrainian and other refugee learners — many of whom can’t read or write in any language.

These are some of the most vulnerable people in our community. They can’t speak to a doctor, understand letters from school, or shop without fear. Local colleges can’t support them because their needs are too complex. Without help, they stay isolated and invisible.

That’s why I’ve set up Nova Language Hub CIC — a not-for-profit project giving refugees and asylum seekers free, accessible English lessons right here in Newbury. We’ll run classes 3–5 mornings a week, women-only groups for those who need safe spaces, and Saturday workshops covering the real English of daily life: healthcare, housing, banking, and travel.

But we can’t open the doors without your support.

We’re raising £2,500 to cover the essentials — room hire, furniture, learning materials, safeguarding insurance, and bus fares for learners who can’t afford transport. Every donation, big or small, makes a real difference:

£20 buys books for a learner

£50 covers a week of classes

£100 keeps the classroom open for a month

If you’ve ever wondered how to help refugees locally — this is it. Your donation will give someone the words they need to survive, belong, and build a future.

Please donate today and help us make Nova Language Hub a reality.

Thank you,

Jo