Held at the Whiteinch Centre, the popular English Conversation Club has helped to foster friendships and strengthen community connections since its inception on December 3rd, two years ago.

The milestone was marked by a special multicultural celebration, where different foods from different cultures were shared with group members.

Since its launch, the English Conversation Club has welcomed individuals from diverse backgrounds, offering a safe and engaging environment for non-native speakers to practice English with the help of an amazing volunteer ESOL tutor, Austin Lowe.

Reflecting on two years of the Conversation Club, Austin said: “Our aim is to provide a welcoming place for new Scots to develop their language skills. Learning English is one thing, understanding Glaswegians is another level! Over the past two years, we are so proud to have seen so many members, develop, flourish and go on to further education, employment and volunteering, and it is our intention to keep doing so for anyone & everyone who needs it.”

With weekly meetings focused on lively discussions, cultural exchange, and real-world scenarios, the club has quickly become a cornerstone of The Whiteinch Centre’s Programme offerings.

One attendee, Gonul, noted that the programme is about more than simply learning English saying: “It’s a friendly space where we can make new friends.”

The English Conversation Club is open to anyone, regardless of language proficiency. Regular meetings take place every Tuesday at 6pm-8pm.

Sheetal, another attendee to the club, said: “I wasn’t confident speaking English until I came to the club, and I now know a lot more about Scottish culture and words since coming.”

Over the past two years, the programme has supported 58 individuals from countries as far-reaching as Afghanistan, Sudan, and Colombia. In that time, it has hosted over 90 sessions, fuelled by 91 litres of tea, 500+ biscuits, and countless hours of meaningful conversation.

Summing up the difference and progress the conversation club has made Aily Thomson, community projects officer at The Whiteinch Centre, said: “This anniversary is a testament to the power and positivity of community here in Whiteinch.”