Íæż½ã½ã

ESOL Teacher Honoured for Outstanding Service

ESOL teacher Nicci Golland has been acknowledged at the Good For ME, Good For FE Awards 2023, winning the Outstanding Service/Lifelong Commitment to Volunteering award. Good for ME, Good for FE is a national campaign driving a sustainable programme of community action across the UK. 

The award for Outstanding Service “recognises an individual who has demonstrated a significant impact on the community or individuals through volunteer efforts.” It is awarded to those who have shown “long-term dedication and consistent involvement in the volunteer work, introducing innovative approaches to address community needs or enhancing the effectiveness of volunteer projects” and contributing to “sustainable and long-lasting positive change through volunteering efforts.”

As an ESOL teacher at Íæż½ã½ã, Nicci works closely with students who come to improve their English language skills, including many asylum seekers and refugees who face challenging life circumstances.

In the award citation, Nicci was described as “a beacon of compassion and empathy; her dedication knows no bounds, and she’s committed to raising the profile of these students in the community as well as organising Refugee Week celebrations at the college.

“She has volunteered in the community for many years, giving up her evenings and weekends to provide tangible help for vulnerable people. She has been instrumental in setting up and developing several charities and action groups, including phone credit for refugees and displaced people. She’s even a veteran volunteer in Calais, helping hundreds of people living in camps and providing them with phone credit to stay connected.

“Nicci is incredibly well deserving of this outstanding service award and an absolute inspiration to others. She has helped to improve the life chances of so many people and is a wonderful asset to our FE community.”

Winners of the Good For ME, Good For FE Awards were invited to a special event at the House of Lords in December, held by awards patron, Rt Hon Baroness Nicky Morgan. At the ceremony, Nicki was presented with her award by Philip Le Feuvre, Chief Operating Officer of NCFE, and Steve Bishop, Director of Marketing and Student Recruitment at Íæż½ã½ã.