After the COVID pandemic, Simran (11 years) had lost confidence in speaking English and was struggling with her schoolwork. Her school referred her to Jacari to support her with schoolwork and to rebuild her confidence.

‍

Jacari matched Simran with a volunteer tutor, Polly, a university lecturer. Polly visited Simran’s home each week for an hour. Simran describes Polly as funny, kind and very helpful:

“She knows how I feel when I come back from school, she knows if I'm sad, tired, or happy - she' s a good listener.”

‍

During this time Simran was diagnosed with dyslexia and Simran’s mother said Polly really helped with this:

“Polly was a great support with the dyslexia. It was only one Tuesday a week but it made a big difference.”

‍

After a year’s tutoring Simran has gone from finding English “difficult to understand” to being much more confident and fluent - Simran’s school said:

“All her teachers can see the improvement, Simran is much better at comprehension and fluency, and at fact retrieval. She has been much more involved in lessons.”

‍

Polly says Simran seems “more confident socially, and a bit happier about her imminent transition to secondary school.”

‍

Simran’s favourite memory of Jacari is her and Polly “laughing at stuff together”.

Her mother added “Simran and Polly had a blast, they really enjoyed each other’s company”.

‍

When asked whether she would do Jacari again Simran says:

“Double yes on that, I would do it again!”

‍

*Name has been changed

‍