Joanna Salter

Background

About Joanna Salter

I have 20 years’ teaching and facilitation experience, plus 10 years running educational programmes and managing teams of teachers and volunteers. I am also a lifelong humanitarian, keen advocate of human rights and believe in knowledge and education as a powerful tool to a more just world. I have lived and worked in six countries and speak/understand nine languages, including Spanish, French, Italian and Arabic. I am used to working in an international setting and have an in-depth understanding of different cultures, ideas and expectations, plus, the unique complexities of integrating into a new country and culture. Since 2015, I have been working with people from refugee, migrant and asylum seeker backgrounds, in France and the UK, and have gained a clear understanding of their challenges, priorities and aspirations. I founded Good Heart Social Club to bring together people from diverse backgrounds to share language, culture and art; reducing isolation and increasing understanding and tolerance through social engagement and active participation. Good Heart values: Relate - Create - Educate We aim to warmly welcome and celebrate all participants' unique qualities, by creating a safe space to share experience, explore similarities and differences and find common goals everyone can relate to. Our focus is ESOL-based, but we look beyond language support to goal setting and motivational development; building learner autonomy through recognition of progress and self-achievement. Good Heart also aims to dissolve the hostile environment and ease integration into the UK; bridging the gap between local and newly arrived communities and creating a sense of belonging, collective responsibility and active citizenship. The cross-cultural project raises awareness and educates the public on the positive impact refugees, migrants and asylum seekers have on the UK. Dynamic, interactive, learner-centred workshops offer opportunities for confidence building, personal and social development, skills transfers, professional up-skilling and most importantly, self-expression. Good Heart Social Club Activities: ESOL classes Literacy classes Conversation Club Book Club ESOL for Hospitality Employability Training Digital Skills Personal & Social Development Workshops Creative Workshops Well-being Workshops Social Events We also offer signposting and support in all aspects of integration from the asylum process and legal issues to accommodation, education (i.e applying to university) and financial issues (i.e. jobcentre, bank accounts, Universal Credit).