Tribute to volunteer Jean Errington

We were very sorry to hear of the recent passing of our long-standing volunteer Jean Errington, who volunteered with us for 9 years.

With kind permission from her family, we would like to pay tribute to Jean and her much valued contribution to our work.

Jean joined us in 2016, having read about LEAH in her church magasine. After successfully completing her training, Jean supported six 1:1 students, working with three students face to face in their home and another three online.

Our Coordinator, Kay, who worked with Jean, remembers her as a dedicated, reliable, fun and empathetic volunteer, who was delighted to be able to help those who needed English language support.

“Her gentle kindness and calm, practical approach to teaching really helped her learners to feel cared for and valued, and it was impressive to see how quickly she took to online teaching.”

Jean was also a support tutor at our Literacy Class in Whitton from 2019 until COVID struck. She was universally loved by all her students, so much so that most of the learners wanted to sit next to her each week, and Kay had to share her out to make sure everyone had their turn!

Jean made the students, LEAH volunteers and staff laugh every week in class. One of the volunteer tutors who taught alongside her paid tribute, “lovely Jean - she was great. She was so reliable, patient, and funny. I'm shouting out - thank you, Jean!”

Jean’s last teaching pairing was particularly special, as Jean and her learner really bonded over their joint love of family, children, and hobbies. They began their lessons online, and then met face to face in Kingston, visiting All Saints Church as part of their lesson and having a coffee in the church café. Her learner said of Jean, “Sadness is losing a dearly loved and appreciated person like Jean.”

Jean will be much missed by us at LEAH, but we will remember her with a smile. We are thankful to have known her and to have had her as part of our LEAH volunteer community for so many years.