Hadia and Pat's story

In the heart of Andersonstown, West Belfast, a unique language hub has become a place of refuge and opportunity for people fleeing conflict and turmoil. Established in January 2023, this initiative operates from food bank, Foodstock, and now welcomes over 25 people from diverse backgrounds each week. Here, retired headteacher Pat McGuckian volunteers her time to teach English, helping newcomers find their footing in a new community.

Pat explains the hub’s origins: “At first, our focus was simply to help people speak English more confidently. But I realised very quickly that people needed more than that. They needed qualifications, because they needed the currency to progress into employment and become part of our community.”

Pat’s dedication led her to seek out ways to provide formal accreditation for her students, though initially there were few options available in Belfast. Eventually, she connected with Trinity College London, which allowed the Hub to become an accredited ESOL centre. “We are the only voluntary organisation offering accreditation,” she says proudly.

With this certification, the Hub holds exam sessions where students work toward Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3, and even Level 1 and Level 2 qualifications. This accomplishment has been a collaborative effort from the beginning: “The whole community pitched in,” Pat says. “We borrow desks from a local school, a nearby furniture company lends us their lorry, and we set up our classroom together. Seeing how many people are grateful for the opportunity makes all the effort worthwhile.”

Hadia’s journey to a new future

Among those finding hope at the Hub is Hadia, a young woman from Afghanistan who arrived in Belfast with her family in February. Unable to go to school back home, Hadia found a new opportunity to learn here in Northern Ireland.

“I came to Belfast in February with my family, my father, my mother and my small brother. In Afghanistan, I can’t go to school and I can’t learn. School is closed and the girls are at home.”

One morning, Hadia’s father arrived at the Hub, concerned about his daughter’s education. Pat recalls. “He couldn’t get into school because all the schools were full. He was clearly a father who loved his daughter and was desperate for her to have an education. I said, ‘Bring her here and we will help her, we will try to help her.’”

Since then, Hadia and her family have been faithfully attending classes twice a week. For Hadia, learning English at the Hub has been a joyful experience. “I am happy. I like to study and learn the English language. I like my teacher. I took an exam and I then I got a certificate of from Entry 2 Reading, and the next exam I will be Writing,” she says.

Pat is proud of her progress, noting, “Hadia is like a sponge. She is yearning knowledge. She got every question right at Reading Entry 1. And so I said, ‘Okay, let’s try Entry 2.’ And she got one of the highest marks in the group at Entry 2.”

Hadia’s hard work has already paid off, as she recently gained admission to a local college. “I took a test at the college and they are accepting me,” Hadia says happily.

“And today, now, I am starting my class. My parents are very proud of me. I want in the future to be a doctor, because I want to serve this country. I’m happy here.”

A community of possibility

For Pat, watching students like Hadia succeed is incredibly rewarding. Reflecting on her journey, she says, “I’ve been very, very lucky and education has done a lot for me. I feel personally proud when someone achieves and I see doors opening for them that were shut, that were bolted. Trinity have allowed us to slightly ease away at that lock and tug that door so that they can then go out into the world and make a difference.”

Thanks to Pat and the community surrounding the Hub, newcomers to Belfast are discovering new possibilities and building a path forward, one qualification at a time.

"I feel personally proud when someone achieves and I see doors opening for them that were shut, that were bolted. Trinity have allowed us to slightly ease away at that lock and tug that door."

Find out more about Trinity's ESOL Skills for Life qualifications
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