Hatice's Story

Hatice began her journey with ICM as an ESOL learner and progressed to becoming a classroom volunteer in 2020. Hatice’s mother-tongue is Turkish, but she also speaks Arabic Kurdish and uses these language skills to support other learners in the classroom.

Hatice is one of ICM’s Community Champions and in this role is regularly contacted by members of the local Turkish community who trust her to help them adjust to life in the UK including advising them on how to access ESOL classes with ICM, finding suitable school places for children and booking English Language exams including SELT (B1) exams and Driving Theory exams.

Hatice regularly volunteers to translate materials for local health providers and partner organisations to help them reach Turkish speakers. For example, Hatice was one of several of ICM’s Community Champion volunteers involved in the local St Elizabeth Hospice’s ‘Hospice for All’ project providing written translations of hospice information materials and narrating information and promotional videos in their native languages.

Tragically, Hatice lost over 30 members of her family in the devastating earthquakes Turkey experienced in 2023.  At ICM she found a safe space which offered love and support through this difficult period. An incredibly positive person, Hatice worked through her family’s trauma with a renewed zest to help others who need help.

Hatice regularly attends ICM’s Staff and Volunteer meetings, and is an active member of ICM’s Westgate Wellbeing project. As part of this Hatice took part in a series of Health Co-Production workshops with local health leaders, supporting them to understand the needs of the local Turkish community and helping to shape Community Health Services for the future.

Hatice gathers information and feedback from her community and works with ICM to shape the services that are most needed. For instance, this vital role led to the creation of women-only gym sessions, the lack of which had been a significant barrier to access for women in her community.

Hatice was an enthusiastic participant alongside other Volunteers and ICM staff in Ipswich Town Football Club’s pilot ‘Active Blues’ health and wellbeing programme. ICM was asked to participate in this trial to help them tailor their offering to diverse communities. Hatice attended weekly sessions at Portman Road and has made significant improvements to her own lifestyle and that of her family as a result - her daughter now insists on checking the sugar content on all products, has taken up football as a sport and is leading a much healthier lifestyle. 

When Hatice arrived in the UK she felt very isolated and spent most of her time at home, afraid to venture out. Since starting to come to ICM, Hatice was inspired to volunteer both with ICM in the classrooms and as a Community Champion with her community. But she didn’t stop there, as Hatice’s confidence grew she began volunteering with ICM’s partner organisations like St Elizabeth Hospice charity shop. Most recently Hatice applied for and secured a volunteer position at Sutton Hoo. Hatice greets visitors in the Exhibition Hall at Sutton Hoo explaining the history of the site and the valuable display artefacts. A beautiful and inspiring example of empowerment and integration as a result of Hatice’s volunteering journey.