Welcome!

SAVTE is a charity that provides English Language Support to people in Sheffield who cannot go to an English class. Our language volunteers help learners in their communities or in their homes. SAVTE train anyone who is enthusiastic to help people who want to learn English and we welcome volunteers from all over Sheffield.

COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SAVTE are striving to continue services to learners through our volunteers and staff

Sheffield Association for the Voluntary Teaching of English was established in 1974 and continues to lead the way with their exceptional contribution to this work.

maintaining contact with individual learners at home. A bi-weekly bulletin is being sent out by email with support information and resources to support learning activities. Several SAVTE English conversation groups are now running online – please contact kerry@savte.org.uk, if you would like more information.  SAVTE community ESOL classes have been temporarily suspended but tutors are staying in contact with learners and supporting them with remote learning activities where possible. 
The SAVTE team are currently working remotely and contactable by email or mobile. Unfortunately, we are unable to process new learner referrals currently. Any referrals made via the online form will be collected and we will be in contact once our full service can resume.
Thank You.

Our aim is to help people develop their everyday English language skills so that they become more confident and empowered to integrate more fully into Sheffield communities.

Our learners cannot get to English classes, because they are either carers for others or suffer from physical or mental health problems. It could be they are very under confident and need a boost to get to a class or informal group.

Our volunteers are people who want to help and make a difference as well as meet other people and learn new skills. We have almost 150 volunteers from all over the city, and welcome new volunteers from all backgrounds. We only ask they they have reached ESOL Level 2.

Our  Partners are a wide range of organisations who come into contact with people needing support with learning English, our referral process is simple and we are able to teach learners anywhere in the city.

Want to know more about SAVTE?
Let us tell you what we have been doing! Watch the video


Sheffield City Council –  The Adult Community Learning Department, Sheffield Housing Department  and the Voluntary and Community Sector Liaison Team support SAVTE through a core funding grant and commission both one to one provision and formal classes through Learning and Skills Council Funding.

Big Lotteries – Reaching Communities Fund is providing a grant to SAVTE for five years until 2022, to enable the organisation to reorganise and modernise many of its operations, to build capacity for the organisation to provide for a greater number of learners and volunteers

EU Asylum Migration and Integration Fund, which aims to make management of migration flows more efficient across the European Union, funds SPRING (Sheffield Project for Refugee Integration and Growth) a 2 year partnership project developing the Sanctuary as a hub for refugees in the city.

Donations – We have also received numerous donations, in-kind support and small grants that enable us to enhance our provision and deliver small projects.

Thank you also to Tudor Trust, Sheffield Church Burgess Trust, Sheffield University Students Union, Sheffield Hallam University,   St Marks Church, Waitrose, Reading Friends, Sheffield Council Ward Pots, Lucy and Paul.

Our Sponsors

Patron:  The Rt Hon. the Lord Blunkett
Registered Charity No. 1081597 – Company No. 3865216