More about the Olive Tree AssociationThe Olive Tree Association grew out of a small project that ran English classes for women from the Islamic community at Exeter Mosque in 2001. Some of the workers involved on this short-term project realised how useful it could be to have a grassroots community organisation that would support individuals and groups from the minority communities in Exeter to set up similar projects. The aim was always to help end the isolation experienced by some individuals and families in Exeter and the surrounding area. The first project that we helped get funding for was the Community ESOL Project which set up a partnership between the Islamic Centre of the South West and Exeter College. The project ran for two years and was responsible for setting up classes in prayer rooms, in restaurants, in community centres. These were mostly English (ESOL) classes but there were also computer classes, citizenship courses and Arts and Crafts. These early projects focused on education and we still believe in the importance of equal access to educational opportunities. But we also believe that informal education is just as important as formal qualifications that as much learning can take place through cultural and social interaction as by sitting in the classroom. Stated as simply as possible, our aim to bring people from different communities together to meet each other, to support each other and to learn from each other. When we started, back in 2001, we were all volunteers but now the Olive Tree Association oversees several different projects and employs 8 people on a part-time basis as well as workers and researchers on a sessional basis. The association is led by a steering committee of volunteers who represent a wide range of interests. The committee meets approximately once a month to make decisions about current and future activities. A copy of our constitution can be found on … of this site. We are always keen to develop new links so we welcome contact with other groups sharing similar aims, or enquiries from any individual, family or group that is looking for support. If you are looking for help, have a look too at our Links page which signposts some useful organisations and web addresses. You can allso download copies of some of the Olive Tree’s important policy documents:
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