Savte (sheffield English Language Support)

What Savte (sheffield English Language Support) does

SAVTE (Sheffield Association for the Voluntary Teaching of English) is a Sheffield-based registered charity founded in 1974 that delivers free, volunteer-led English language support to adult learners across the city. Originally established as the Home Learning Project to teach English to Yemeni steelworkers unable to attend formal classes because of shift patterns, the organisation has operated continuously for over 50 years and now serves refugees, asylum seekers, women with caring responsibilities, and other adults facing language, literacy or social integration barriers.

Its core programmes are: 1:1 home-based language tutoring typically delivered across six-month placements; 25+ in-person conversation groups hosted in community venues across Sheffield; online conversation groups delivered via Zoom; and structured ESOL classes at Entry Level 2 and 3 covering health, life skills, and employment readiness. Service delivery is volunteer-led, with hundreds of trained volunteers supporting a small core staff team headed by CEO Jo Holliday. SAVTE also develops and freely distributes proprietary learning resources, including 14 mental health information packs translated into multiple languages and Living in Sheffield multimedia guides that are shared with partner organisations.

The business model is non-commercial: all learning is provided free of charge to learners. Operating costs are covered through a diversified mix of grant income from the National Lottery Community Fund, Sheffield City Council, the Adults Skills Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Talbot Trusts and other charitable trusts, together with individual donations via JustGiving and in-kind support from Co-op Community Fund, Voluntary Action Sheffield and the University of Sheffield. Learner acquisition is primarily referral-driven through partner organisations including mental health services, refugee support groups, and community networks.

Name

Savte (sheffield English Language Support)

Legal name

Sheffield Association for the Voluntary Teaching of English

Website

https://savte.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SAVTE is a Sheffield-based charity founded in 1974 providing free, volunteer-led English language support including 1:1 home tutoring, 25+ conversation groups, and ESOL classes to adult learners, primarily refugees, asylum seekers, and socially isolated individuals across Sheffield.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult ESOL and English Language Education

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Volunteerism, Service-Learning & Community Service (EDALAHAG)

Keywords

• Adult ESOL tutoring
• English language classes
• Volunteer conversation groups
• Refugee language education
• Community English learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Sheffield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: SAVTE receives grants and contracts from public and charitable funders including The National Lottery Community Fund, Sheffield City Council Voluntary Sector Core Grant, Adults Skills Fund (ASF), and various charitable trusts. This constitutes the primary revenue stream supporting operational costs and programme delivery.
2. Individual Donations: The organisation accepts donations through JustGiving platform, with campaigns such as the 50th anniversary fundraising appeal.
3. In-Kind Support: SAVTE receives in-kind support from Co-op Community Fund, Voluntary Action Sheffield (VAS), and The University of Sheffield including facilities, volunteers, and operational assistance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SAVTE (Sheffield Association for the Voluntary Teaching of English) is a Sheffield-based registered charity that delivers free, volunteer-led English language learning services to adult speakers of other languages. Offerings include one-to-one home tutoring, face-to-face and online conversation groups, and formal ESOL classes, supplemented by specialist resources such as mental health information packs and Sheffield orientation materials.

Product overview

SAVTE is a Sheffield-based charitable organization offering a portfolio of English language learning services rather than a single unified product. The core offerings include: (1) 1:1 Language Support Programme delivering volunteer-led home tutoring, (2) Conversation Groups providing informal face-to-face practice across Sheffield locations, (3) SAVTE Online offering virtual conversation groups via Zoom, and (4) ESOL/English Classes including health-focused, community-focused, and employment-focused courses. Supporting resources include Mental Health Resources (14 downloadable packs) and Living in Sheffield multimedia guides. Volunteer development programmes include Office Volunteer and English Advice Volunteer roles, supported by structured training courses. The organisation was established in 1974 and focuses on community integration through language learning.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 1:1 Language Support Programme Volunteer-led one-to-one English language tutoring delivered in learners' homes or safe community settings. Placements are initially for six months and focus on beginners or learners progressing who cannot attend classes due to health, caring responsibilities, or confidence barriers. Provided free to adult learners in Sheffield.
• Conversation Groups Free, informal face-to-face English conversation practice sessions held across Sheffield at various community locations, with some women-only groups. Sessions develop listening, speaking, and comprehension skills and serve as stepping stones into formal learning.
• SAVTE Online (Online Conversation Groups) Virtual conversation groups conducted via Zoom and WhatsApp for Sheffield residents with ESOL Entry E2/E3 level or above and access to a smart device and the internet. Sessions are led by trained volunteers and are not suitable for beginners.
• ESOL/English Classes Formal non-accredited English language instruction programmes at Entry Level 2-3 delivered in 8-10 week blocks of 2 hours per week at community venues across Sheffield. Includes health-focused, community-focused, and employment-focused courses with certificates upon completion.
• Mental Health Information Packs A set of 14 freely downloadable information packs designed to facilitate conversations about mental health with ESOL learners, covering agoraphobia, bereavement, dementia, depression, eating disorders, anxiety, hearing voices, loneliness, OCD, panic attacks, post-natal depression, PTSD, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts.
• Living in Sheffield Multimedia Resources Free multimedia resources including videos and presentation materials that help newly arrived speakers of other languages navigate Sheffield, covering tasks such as booking GP appointments, using the tram system, and attending Job Centre appointments.
• English Advice Service Signposting service providing guidance on joining English language classes and education opportunities in Sheffield, delivered at Victoria Hall Drop-In sessions in partnership with SPRING and including referrals to SAVTE provision and other English classes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Learners develop confidence to use English independently in healthcare, shopping, and community settings without interpreter support
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Sheffield Project for Refugee Integration and Growth (SPRING)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAVTE is a partner in the SPRING Partnership supporting refugee integration in Sheffield. This includes developing Welcome to Sheffield multimedia resources and providing English advice at Victoria Hall Drop-In sessions.
• Voluntary Action Sheffield (VAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides in-kind support and organisational collaboration. SAVTE volunteers and learners received VAS's Sheffield Making a Difference Award for Inclusion and Equality.
• The University of SheffieldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides in-kind support to SAVTE.
• Sheffield Health and Social Care TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health social workers refer clients to SAVTE for English language support as part of recovery programmes.
• Darnall WellbeingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity venue hosting SAVTE's 'English Skills My Health' ESOL programme.
• Sheffield CathedralminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity venue hosting SAVTE's 'English Skills My Life/My Community/My Future' ESOL classes.
• Burngreave LibraryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity venue hosting SAVTE's 'English Skills My Life/My Community/My Future' ESOL classes.
• Sharrow Community ForumminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity venue hosting SAVTE's 'English Skills My Life/My Community/My Future' ESOL classes.
• Victoria HallminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDrop-in venue for SAVTE's English advice service in partnership with SPRING, operating Wednesdays 13:00-16:00.
• British CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAVTE recommends British Council's ESOL Nexus materials to volunteers and learners, including beginner topics and one-to-one tutoring resources.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• City of Sanctuary: UK movement of local groups supporting refugees and asylum seekers, often via volunteer-led language and befriending programmes. Conceptually analogous to SAVTE's community-driven support for newly arrived residents.
• Citizens UK: UK-wide community organising charity working on refugee welcome, integration, and social inclusion through local member institutions. Comparable in community-led approach to integration but operates at broader civic level.

Broad incumbents

• Migrant Help: UK charity providing advice and support to asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants, including signposting to ESOL and integration services. Wider asylum-focused mandate than SAVTE's ESOL-specific delivery.
• British Red Cross: Large UK charity running refugee support and ESOL programmes as part of a much broader humanitarian portfolio. Comparable in offering ESOL to refugees and asylum seekers but at national scale and across multiple service lines.
• The Refugee Council: One of the largest UK charities supporting refugees and asylum seekers with advice, advocacy, and integration programmes including ESOL. Operates at national scale across a broader mandate than SAVTE.

Direct peers

• Workers' Educational Association (WEA): UK's largest voluntary sector provider of adult education with a community-based, volunteer-supported model. WEA runs ESOL and community learning programmes nationally, mirroring SAVTE's volunteer-led adult education delivery in structure and target learner.
• Hope Projects: West Yorkshire-based refugee and asylum-seeker support charity offering ESOL tuition, conversation groups, and integration services. Closely comparable in volunteer-led community ESOL model and refugee focus.
• The Bell Foundation: UK charity focused on English language education for speakers of other languages, including ESOL programmes for refugees and migrants. Highly comparable in mission and learner demographic to SAVTE.
• Refugee Action: UK charity providing ESOL classes, advice, and integration support for refugees and asylum seekers. Operates volunteer-supported language and community programmes for similar vulnerable learner populations as SAVTE.

Regional players

• Learn English (Yorkshire and Humber): Regional ESOL resource hub listing all English classes across Yorkshire and Humber, including SAVTE's own classes. Operates as a discovery and signposting channel rather than a direct competitor but shares the same adult ESOL market in the region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/savte-the-sheffield-assossiation-of-voluntary-teachers-of-english

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Savte (sheffield English Language Support)