Support for speakers of other languages

It is free to join our libraries and the easiest way is to fill in your details online and then visit your nearest library to collect your card. No ID is required.

Translation resources

• Translator EU: Translation of English to other languages

Books in other languages

We have French, German, Italian and Spanish books available to request from our central bookstore.

We also have dual language picture books for loan and can request free dual language picture books in over 30 languages from Book Trust, for families to keep.

For books in other languages, please ask staff for more information.

eBooks and eAudiobooks

We now have a range of adult and children’s Ukrainian eBooks as well as Russian eBooks and eAudiobooks, via our BorrowBox app.

To use the app, install BorrowBox from your phone's app store. Alternatively, you can use the app store or google play buttons to go straight to the download page.

To start borrowing, select Cheshire East and Cheshire West Libraries within the app and enter your library card number and PIN/Password.

If you are not using a mobile device, you can access the service by logging into BorrowBox.

You can borrow up to five eBooks and three Audiobooks at any one time and place holds on items that are out on loan.

Public computers and access to the internet

It is important to be able to keep in touch with family and friends and so, our libraries offer internet access via their public computers and via library Wi-Fi (library membership is required to use both). Computer access is free, for one hour per day, for library members.

To assist customers where English is not their first language, the webpage default language on our computers can be changed to an alternative – please ask a member of staff how to do this.

The default keyboard language can also be changed to Ukrainian and selected libraries have keyboards, with the Ukrainian characters added to the standard QWERTY layout. Please ask at your library for more information.

Improving your English

English Conversation Groups

We have several of these relaxed, social groups which meet in libraries. The aim of the groups is to build confidence in speaking English and improve listening skills, through everyday conversations. These are ideal for speakers of other languages. English conversation groups currently take place at:

• Chester Library at Storyhouse: Wednesdays, 5pm - 6pm, fortnightly. Held in meeting room upstairs, drop in.
• Ellesmere Port Library: Tuesdays, 11am - 12pm, weekly.
• Lache Library: Tuesdays, 10am - 11am, weekly.
• Northwich Library (relocated to Weaver Hall Museum): Wednesdays, 10am - 11.30am, weekly.
• Sandiway Library: Mondays, 10am - 11am, weekly.

English courses for speakers of other languages

• Go Citizen: this is a library subscription, which is free for library members to access. It's online study resource for candidates preparing for the "Life in the UK" or "British Citizenship" test. It provides hundreds of practice questions in the same format of the official test and is a comprehensive study package of everything needed to prepare for the test. You will need to register to create your own account so you can track your progress.
• Cheshire and Warrington Equality and Race Centre (CHAWREC): based in the Unity Centre in Chester, CHAWREC offers English speakers of other languages (ESOL) a range of classes with qualified ESOL tutors, all abilities are catered for with both accredited and non-accredited classes and one to one support.

ESOL courses are also available at:

• Neston Community Youth Centre (NCYC): Fridays 10am - 1pm. Beginners ESOL, drop in.
• Neston Library: Saturdays, 10.30am - 12pm. ESOL for Ukrainians. Drop in.
• Northwich Memorial Court (Brio): Fridays, 10am - 11.30am, Conversational English. Term time only. Phone 01244 400730 for more information
• Wharton Library: Mondays, 10am - 11.30am.
• English Language Centre: previous known as English in Chester, the English Language Centre is a British Council accredited school, the general English course aims to develop communicating effectively in English - all aspects of language are covered, with an emphasis on speaking and listening.

Language and Culture Cafe

• Storyhouse, Chester: last Monday of the Month, 7.30pm. The Language and Culture Café is a monthly social event for anyone looking to meet new people, learn about global culture, or share a love of travel. Great for those who wish to improve their English through conversation.

Free online English language resources

• British Council: learn English online using high-quality resources, all the activities are designed for self-study with interactive exercises and worksheets
• Duolingo: provides help with learning English as a second language, the default language of the webpage can also be changed from English to another language e.g. Ukrainian
• Babbel: this resource is offering free access for Ukrainian refugees to language resources
• Mondly app: learn 41 languages from your native language via the Mondly app which is accessible on any device - Mondly is offering free mobile language courses for Ukrainian refugees

Support with food

Bread and Butter Thing

A mobile food clubs providing access to nutritious and affordable food. This low cost weekly shop provides essential produce for family eating – fresh fruit and veg, fridge favourites and cupboard staples.

It's really simple to join TBBT as a member. There's no fee to join and the membership rules are really simple.

To become a member,  text 07860 063 304 with your full name, postcode and the name of the hub you will be collecting from:

• Blacon Adventure Playground, Kipling Road, Blacon, CH1 5UU: Tuesday, 1pm - 1.30pm
• St Saviours Church, Tarporley Road, Ellesmere Port, CH66 3JY: Monday, 2pm - 2.30pm 
• Stanney Grange Community Centre, Alnwick Drive, Ellesmere Port, CH65 9HE: Friday, 2pm - 2.30pm
• Westminster Community Centre, Church Parade, Ellesmere Port, CH65 2ER: Wednesday, 2pm - 2.30pm

The Cupboard Ellesmere Port

Part of the Cupboard network, which formed to help prevent food waste in the community. They take short dated products which are likely to end up in food waste from local food retailers including Supermarkets and coffee shops.

Donations are gladly accepted. Fair usage applies (4 free items per family). Monday - Sunday, open until 11pm.

Location: United Reformed Church, Chester Rd, Whitby, Ellesmere Port CH65 6RY 

Community Cafe is also available, 12pm - 4pm

Malpas Community Kitchen

Enjoy a hot meal for free. 2 choices of meals available, as well as community organisations offering advice if needed.

Location: Jubilee Hall, Malpas, SY14 8NT

Email: malpasvillagehall@gmail.com

Northwich Community Support food hubs

Food available as part of our zero food waste initiative. Monthly low cost pantry. Two shopping bags per household. Donations welcome.

• Sandiway, 10.30am - 11.30am: St John's Church Hall, Norley road, Sandiway, CW8 2JU 
• Weaverham, 9.30am - 10.30am: The Lighthouse, Church Lane, Weaverham, CW8 3NJ

Port Grocery

Port Grocery is a community food club which provides high-quality, low-cost food. They deliver to Ellesmere Port, Bromborough, Eastham, Neston, Little Neston, little & Great Sutton, Chester, Elton, Helsby and Frodsham.

Too Good To Go

The Too Good To Go app lets you buy and collect this food at a discounted price so it gets eaten instead of wasted. You won’t know exactly what’s in your order until you pick it up. Download the app to get started.

Very Green Grocery

Very Green Grocery is located on Manchester Road, Northwich, CW9 7NS, (in front of TG Builders). Includes Community Shop and cafe: Open Tuesday 6.30pm - 7.30pm, Wednesday 10.30am - 2.30pm and Friday 10.30am - 2.30pm. They have a uniform exchange and also provide clothes, nappies and toiletries.

They also offer a “Time Together” session - a safe space for Ukrainian families and/or their sponsors to come together to chat, cook, shop and be supported. Thursdays, 11am - 2pm, weekly.

Winsford Community Hub

Winsford Community Hub is located on High Street, Winsford, CW7 2AS (the old Job Centre) - open on Wednesdays and includes the Winsford Very Green Grocery which is open Tuesday 10am - 12pm, Thursday 5pm - 7.30pm. There is also a uniform exchange, preloved furniture shop and a cafe.

Housing

ForFutures

Partnered with Cheshire West and Chester to support refugee families that have settled in the UK through the Vulnerable Persons Resettlement project. ForFutures have supported families since 2016, helping them to settle into their new communities, offering support in all areas of their resettlement.

They offer housing related advice and information in Ellesmere Port, Chester and Northwich areas, for refugees and people seeking asylum who are successful in their claim.

Telephone: 07712 691 736

Email: heather.grindley@forfutures.co.uk

Refugees at Home (RaH)

RaH connect those with a spare room in their home with people seeking asylum and refugees in need of accommodation.

The guest (refugee or asylum seeker) is referred to Refugees at Home (RAH) by refugee agencies. The host is someone willing to share a spare room in their house. Placements can be short or long term or emergency accommodation. No rent or financial contribution is paid by the guest. A home visitor verifies the suitability of the placement.

Serco

Contracted to provide National Asylum Support Service (NASS) housing on behalf of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to those in the asylum system via the Asylum Accommodation and Support Services Contract (AASC). This contact line can be used for reporting property issues, Housing Manager enquiries and as escalation for general housing enquiries.

Contact via Migrant Help on 08088 010 503

Support with furniture and household items

The ReUse Warehouse

The Winsford Warehouse, run by Changing Lives Together, sells preloved items at low cost. The store, which also has a cafe, can be found in Unit 12, Road Two, Winsford Industrial Estate, CW7 3QL.

Store opening times: Monday - Saturday, 9am - 4.30pm​

For more information, email info@changing-lives-together.org.uk or phone 01606 827121 (option 2)

Supporting Homeless Assisting Refugees Everywhere (SHARE)

SHARE is a local charity providing support to people seeking asylum and refugees. They provide practical items such as clothing and household items and give advice, assess needs, and signpost people to other services.

A person or family must be referred into the service by another supporting agency via phone or email.

Share Shop Chester: 07549 869 510

Email: info@shareaid.co.uk

Support for asylum seekers and refugees

UK visa and immigration application forms

Gov.uk provide all the application forms for people who can't apply online and want to come to the UK, extend their stay or settle - UK visa and immigration application forms - GOV.UK

Support services for eVisa forms

Support for people who do not have access to a device or do not feel confident in using a computer for completing Home Office applications (eVisas) - Get help with your online Home Office application - GOV.UK

Other support services include:

Cheshire, Halton and Warrington Race & Equality Centre

CHAWREC provide advice and practical support for those struggling with the eVisa process because of language or IT skills or other vulnerabilities. You can make an appointment for a one-to-one support session.

Telephone: 01244 400730
Email: office@chawrec.org.uk

Migrant Help

Migrant Help has supported thousands of individuals through a national network of services and is able to offer face-to-face and remote support to those transitioning to the new digital immigration system.

Telephone: 07483 170 100
Email: evisa@migranthelpuk.org

Refugee Women Connect (RWC)

We provide support services for women asylum seekers and refugees. We have a campaign to ensure women have the information they need to understand what they need to do for their eVisa. 

For those that need direct support, RWC offers group workshops as well as one-to-one support. They will then follow up with the women to see if they have been successful or if they need more support to complete the process.

Telephone: 0151 305 1070
Email: info@refugeewomenconnect.org.uk

Wirral Change Ltd

Wirral Change Ltd support locally disadvantaged groups, ensuring equal access to opportunities, and supporting the integration of newly arrived communities. They deliver a range of vital services, including supporting people to create and access their digital eVisa account and helping them understand how to use it. They also offer support for non-English speakers.

Telephone: 0151 649 8177
Email: info@wirralchange.org.uk