Open Kitchens Teacher & Mentor
Khadidja Hamouche
My name is Khadidja, my origin is Algerian. I moved to Manchester in 2016, it was a challenge for me because of the language so I started learn English and last year I have started with Heart & Parcel it was for me a big opportunity I have learn English through cooking I have done online English and cooking classes from home to home online classes and cookalongs. During my lesson with Heart & Parcel I have made friends, we shared background, recipes and experiences. I am now teaching online cookalongs to the general public and for other organisations and charities. Heart & Parcel gives me inspiration for me to develop my ideas and future plans.
SEE ONE OF KHADIDJA’S COOKALONG LIVESTREAMS HERE
FOLLOW KHADIDJA’S GLUTEN FREE JOURNEY ON INSTAGRAM HERE
Open Kitchens Teacher
Asmahan Alatrash
My name is Asmahan, I am from Syria, and worked as a Doctor for 19 years in Syria, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. I have 6 children. I first moved to Turkey from Syria. Then I came in the UK 5 years ago. When I arrived in Manchester, I started doing English courses to learn English language, I achieved level 1 certificate. Also, I was a volunteer at Greenheys to support E.S.O.L one learning English as an assistant teacher. Cooking is one of my favourite activity because it is a way for me to reduce stress and I can be artistic about it and it never gets repetitive. As always, I wanted to learn English and practise it in an entertaining and enjoyable way, as it gives me the opportunity to learn about other traditional food and meet new friends.
Later on, I heard about ‘Heart and Parcel’ course and so loved the idea of it. As it involves cooking and learning English together at the same time. I first started this course by meeting people face to face but then we began to take online lessons with Clare and that was due to the pandemic , which I found a pleasure to do.
SEE ONE OF ASMAHAN’S COOKALONG LIVESTREAMS HERE
Open Kitchens Teacher
Rawia Alawani
Rawia, teacher, wife, mother-of-four and cooking lover. I’m originally from Syria, born and grown in Jordan, lived in Saudi and I moved to Manchester 6 years back. I’ve joined Heart & Parcel 5 years ago as an ESOL student through cooking classes before I started to give my own Syrian-food cooking lessons to build the bridges between different cultures and to help me to integrate with my new country.
Open Kitchens Teacher
Rasha Mafrachi
My name is Rasha. I am originally from Iraq. I am married and have two children. I have a masters in Geography and used to work as a university teacher in Iraq. Currently, I work as an Arabic teacher with experience face to face teaching as well as online learning. Cooking for me is art, since and passion, it makes me happy learn new cooking techniques and discovering new ingredients from across the world. I am happy to take part in the Heart and Parcel because it helps me to meet new friends and share food that I like with people. It is also a great opportunity to challenge myself to learn something new about cooking and kitchen tools in English.
Open Kitchens Teacher
Liza Rasool
My name is Liza. I’m from Afghanistan. I have three children two boys and one girl. I have lived in UK since 2015. I finished my school in Afghanistan. And I have been studying English in UK for four years. I speak Four languages Dari, Farsi, Urdu and English.
I absolutely love cooking. last year I was a student in a Heart & Parcel and I learned a lot. I started teaching with Heart & Parcel this year and I have loved every minute of it. I teach online cookalongs. Because it combines some of my favourite thing: food , languages, culture and getting to know new people! I also love that learning goes both ways at Heart & Parcel. I learn so much for the participants and other teachers.
I have always been a foodie so I really enjoy learning new recipes each week alongside students from around the world. In the future I would like to teach English and cooking together.
SEE ONE OF LIZA’S COOKALONG LIVESTREAMS HERE
Open Kitchens Teacher
Paramita Raha
I am Paramita Raha. I am from Bangladesh and have been living in the U.K for the last one and a half years. I have been learning English, Maths and also teaching myself to Code. I was also working, at Domino’s Pizza, before the lockdown. Now I am working in Food Production.
I am a food enthusiast and love working with people from different backgrounds. I also love to learn about various cultures and cuisines. I participated in many extracurriculam activities: such as the Cultural exchange programme; Manchester Day to represent Bengali community; Open Kitchen project and volunteered for a local charity.
Heart & Parcel has provided me this opportunity through which I have been able to meet plenty of people, make some new friends; in addition, this has also given me the experience to work with the team.
Open Kitchens Teacher
ALAA ZALAT
My name is Alaa Zalat. I am Egyptian. I’m married and I have 3 kids. I have lived in 3 different countries and each has its own unique culture. Egypt – Africa, Saudi Arabia – Asia, UK – Europe.
I graduated with Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. I moved to Manchester in 2019 and joined Heart & Parcel in June 2021.
Personally, I loved the idea of Heart and Parcel as it helped me to discover that food is a type of culture that reflects the heritage of each country. The traditional food shows the lifestyle of its own country. Also, I really enjoy the feeling of being the ambassador of my own country, as I choose to share Egyptian street food in my cook along.
Open Kitchens Teacher
NAJLAA MAHMOUD
Hello, I’m Najlaa Mahmoud, I’m from Libya. I have lived in this city for about 4 years. I have been studying English and maths at Bury Adult Learning Center. During the pandemic, I was cooking a lot, and I have learned so many dishes and sweets. I also love to learn about new cuisines, which I believe can’t do it before.
The relationship between me and cooking is a pleasure, it’s not just for fuel, food means everything to me. I’m in love with the food. Everyone has a technique to cook for their dish so I believe that. And I’m also extremely excited to share with you about our traditional food in Libya. I wish that one day, I will become the best chef and everyone know who I am?
Open Kitchens Teacher
AKLIMA AKHTER
I am Aklima Akhter.I am from Bangladesh, but I lived in Italy for eight years before moving to England six years ago. I have two children; they go to the University of Leeds. I own a newsagent in Sheffield .To me, cooking is an art and I love to try food from all over the world.I have been involved with Heart and Parcel for five years now,and I have enjoyed the cooking classes as they taught me various cuisines. I have also participated in the Open kitchen project.
Open Kitchens Teacher
GASHIN ADULLAH
My name is Gashin Adullah I am from Iraqi Kurdistan, I have 2 children both boys, I have been in the UK for 15 years, I have lived in bury for 6 years. Before i used to live in Old Trafford,Manchester. I like cooking and baking very much, I like making cultrual food, and would very much like to explore foods from different countries. I was also at Bury Adult Learning Centre for 3 years.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT LEARNER BLOG SUPPORT TEAM
KAT SLATER
‘My name is Kat, and I’ve been volunteering with Heart & Parcel since the Cook/Eat/Write/Share project. I’ve also been a moderator for the online From Home to Home lockdown series, and now I’ll be supporting Heart & Parcel’s blog writers.
In my professional life I’m a translator, editor and proofreader, so naturally I’m passionate about languages, cultures and all things linguistic!
I love the collaborative nature of Heart & Parcel projects as I always come away from sessions with new tips, ideas and perspectives from the learners.
READ FOOD FOR THOUGHT LEARNER BLOG HERE
FOOD FOR THOUGHT LEARNER BLOG SUPPORT TEAM
HALA BOTROS
Hello! My name is Hala. I’m an English tutor and a writing consultant based in Kuwait. I joined Heart & Parcel in March 2021 to fulfill a placement requirement for my master’s degree at King’s College London. The moment I joined Clare in her weekly English cooking lessons, I fell in love with Heart & Parcel’s mission and the wonderful learners! Although I’m yet to visit Manchester, I get to ‘Zoom-in’ with all the learners, bloggers, and talented chefs of H&P from thousands of miles away! I am now delighted to be part of the ‘Food for Thought’ team, helping writers express themselves through our blog by offering technical writing workshops and English language lessons.
READ FOOD FOR THOUGHT LEARNER BLOG HERE
FOOD FOR THOUGHT LEARNER BLOG SUPPORT TEAM
ALEX HOLLOWAY
Hi, my name is Alex (she/her) and I live near Wetherby in West Yorkshire. I love teaching and I’m passionate about making sure language learning is empowering and fulfilling for everyone. So, being involved in Heart and Parcel’s Food for Thought project is like a dream come true! I currently work at the University of Leeds in the Language Centre where I teach English and academic skills. I am also Chair of NATESOL (a teacher development association). In my free time, I enjoy walking my dog, reading historical fiction or watching rubbish TV.
READ FOOD FOR THOUGHT LEARNER BLOG HERE
MANAGEMENT TEAM
BOARD MEMBERS
2022
Dr Francesca Brady
Farhana Hemani
Lulu Eden
2020 – 2021
Hafsa Mekki
Chairperson of the board & Non-Exec Director
Hafsa is a former Trinity qualified ESOL teacher with a passion for languages and a degree in Linguistics & TESOL. She is a Moss Side resident and proud Mancunian despite having lived in three different countries. Hafsa was first introduced to Heart & Parcel by her former colleague Nikki who is also one of our volunteer ESOL tutors. As a former teacher and community activist, Hafsa immediately fell in love with the concept. After following Heart and Parcel from their Supper Clubs hosted by Clare and Karolina in their hope to being awarded funding to expand their support, Hafsa is honoured to be a member of the team. Hafsa works in procurement and hopes to be able to offer both her former and current skill sets to Heart & Parcel’s inspiring range of projects.
Email | Hafsa@heartandparcel.org
Clare Courtney
Co-founder & Managing Director
Clare is an English language practitioner with over 10 years experience in the UK and China delivering English sessions to a wide range of learners with different backgrounds and reasons for learning English.
Interested in inclusive and creative approaches to English language teaching rooted in social justice, Clare started Heart & Parcel in 2015 with Karolina to bring together communities through food and learning in an inclusive, engaging and informal way.
Twitter: @cjcourts
Linkedin: Clare Courtney
Email | Clare@heartandparcel.org
Karolina Koścień
Co-founder & Non-Exec Director
A Polish woman, sociologist and social worker, Karolina arrived to the UK 14 years ago. Since then she has been working as a community interpreter, welfare benefit advisor, youth worker and cultural consultant for many different community based organisations in Manchester. Migration, diversity and equality have always been subjects she is passionate about and willing to explore. The Director of Heart & Parcel and an avid food lover, she is always honoured to have the chance to meet amazing women from around the world, work with them and also try their delicious food.
Nina Holland-Jones
Project COORDINATOR ‘food for thought’ LEARNER blog
I have been working with Heart & Parcel since January 2021, since then my involvement has taken on different shapes and sizes. Starting as a volunteer, later joining their permanent team as the Social Media and Communications Manager. I now coordinate Food for Thought, Heart & Parcel’s blog writing project for ESOL learners. I founded this project back in August 2021, with a desire to give migrant women a greater platform and express themselves through English language. Heart & Parcel really is a place that promotes advocacy for all, from staff, to learners, to volunteers. They have encouraged and supported me throughout my time with them, alongside meeting, sharing and learning from remarkable women along the way
READ FOOD FOR THOUGHT LEARNER BLOG HERE
Email | Nina@heartandparcel.org
Hanane El Hadioui
Support Manager & Coordinator
My name is Hanane, my origin is Moroccan. I lived in Italy for 17 years when I have discovered other cultures, mentality, history, art, and food then living in Manchester for 3 years was another challenge to beat because of the barrier language, so Heart & Parcel was my first sight to learn English in informal context and empower migrant and refugee to become protagonists of the life of the communities they live in. I started with the project as a learner and learner volunteer leading various projects including Share the Dish 2019, supporting both volunteers and learners on our new online project with Boaz Trust clients and Open kitchen 2.1 2020 also International Women’s Day 2021 Online Festival. Finally, with Open Kitchen 2.2 2021 I worked as a Support Manger.
During my involvement and progress with the project I met a real friend, we shared our different knowledge, recipes, skills, experiences, enthusiasm and positively contributing to all English activities that benefit to create links to reach other communities. The development of relationships with learners, teachers and team was mutually beneficial to our
aims and migrant community groups It helps us to discover attitudes, practices, and rituals surrounding food, it sheds light on our most basic beliefs about ourselves and others. There is a relationship between learning and food. This negotiates our identities, cultures, and environments. Food is seen more than just a means of survival but also the straightforward way to learn English and break the language barriers. My biggest happiness when I saw our learners changed their lives and flourish in their communities “Praise the woman and she will flourish“
Email | Hanane@heartandparcel.org
Former Staff
Lisa Howarth
Volunteer & Project Manager for Refugee Action Project 2020
Naomi Tattum
Naomi Tattum Research & Development Manager 2018-2020
Holly Clarke
Volunteer Coordinator for Cook/Eat/Write/Share Project 2018
Nikki Tomlinson
ESOL tutor for Cook / Eat / Write / Share Project 2018
Helen Grady
Volunteer ESOL tutor 2018
Marta Koścień
Supperclub Supervisor 2016 – 2019
Lynn Harr & Monira Fadous
Supperclub Volunteers 2017-2018