English Mums |
| Category: (Europe) |
Address
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Languages
| English - Anglais | |||
| Type | Playgroup, Little Library & Mothers Group | |||
| Meeting Times |
Our regular bi-monthly playgroups and activity groups take place on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday afternoons of every month at our hire hall.
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| Status | not-for-profit | |||
| Contact Email | postmaster@english-mums.com | |||
| Website | http://www.english-mums.com | |||
| Who is it for? | We are a group of Anglophones and English speaking foreigners, primarily Mums (although some of our members are Dads!). Most of us are British natives, but we also welcome members from other English speaking countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and of course France too. | |||
How many?
| Around 50 members | |||
| When did it start? |
The English Speaking Mother's Group' is a young and dynamic association which was officially created in 2001 but existed informally for many years.
It was founded by a couple of English mums living in Lyon, who wanted to get together with their children on a regular basis. The tradition continued and expanded and we have now become an actual association with around 50 members, which is run by volunteers and is overseen by a committee. ***************************************** Nous sommes une association très jeune et dynamique qui était seulement fondée en 2001 mais qui existe officieusement depuis plusieurs années. Le group a commencé avec quelques mamans anglaises qui voulaient se réunir avec leurs petits enfants pour qu'ils puissent jouer ensemble et pour qu'elles s'entraident. Tous nos membres sont des mamans qui parlent couramment l'Anglais, et se réunissent régulièrement, avec ou sans enfants. Toutes les activités et les sorties donnent des occasions à se soutenir et promouvoir la culture et la langue des pays anglophones. Il y a aussi un échange d'information concernant la région Lyonnaise et La France pour que les dernières arrivées puissent s'intégrer et apprendre la culture française ex. les calendriers de la facteur à Noël, la galette des rois, etc. | |||
| How does it work? |
Our purpose is to provide a supportive, relaxed, friendly environment for English speaking parents and their children where Anglophone traditions and cultures can be upheld, shared, maintained and promoted.
The most important criteria for membership is the ability to speak fluent English because we aim to nurture (not to 'teach' as such) the English speaking tongue. We meet up regularly with our children (and sometimes without the kids too!). Members speak English with other members and also with each other's children. Members pay a 35€ annual subscription fee and receive a monthly email newsletter containing diary dates for all the activities and events organized for that month. Our website and newsletter editorials share useful information on all sorts of subjects with the aim of helping newcomers to France or the Lyon area adjust to the Lyonnais way of life. ******************************************** Tous nos membres sont des mamans qui parlent couramment l'Anglais, et se réunissent régulièrement, avec ou sans enfants. Toutes les activités et les sorties donnent des occasions à se soutenir et promouvoir la culture et la langue des pays anglophones. Il y a aussi un échange d'information concernant la région Lyonnaise et La France pour que les dernières arrivées puissent s'intégrer et apprendre la culture française ex. les calendriers de la facteur à Noël, la galette des rois, etc. Un bulletin mensuel est envoyé à nos membres pour les informer des activités organisées et d'autres informations concernant le group ou des choses qui pourraient être utiles. Il est payé par les frais d'inscription qui sont 35€ par an qui couvre tous les frais de fonctionnement. | |||
| How do you keep the group/program going? |
The membership fee pays for our hall hire, tea and coffee refreshments, some basic kitchen essentials and hygiene products which are used during our Wednesday Playgroups, and covers the cost of materials used in the children's craft activities.
The fund also permits us to replenish our children's book and video libraries with up to date titles and pays for special occasion treats such as hiring a bouncy castle for the Summer Fete! English Mums is run by volunteers, and is organized by a committee. | |||
| How does it benefit families? |
Nearly everybody in the group has had to deal with the difficulties of arriving in a foreign country, not being able to speak the local language properly, not knowing how the system works and not having anybody to talk to about about important family concerns. Together we can support each other through those experiences.
All our events and activities are conducted in English so the group is a great way to perpetuate and strengthen English speaking heritage. |