This year marks Baytree’s 35th anniversary. As we celebrate this landmark achievement, we’re looking back on the tremendous years of work put in by some of the centre’s longest-standing staff members.
We want to share the stories of the women whose commitment to their work has formed the backbone of Baytree’s continued legacy. Margaret’s story is a testament to how the dedication of an individual underpins the value of the whole mission.
Margaret joined Baytree in 1998, though her decision to apply was not a straightforward one. Initially daunted by the prospect of moving to London, she already had friends working at Baytree and often found herself daydreaming about what life there might be like. While attending a conference in London, Margaret spontaneously put herself forward for a role and visited the centre for an interview. Any hesitation she had quickly disappeared the moment she walked through the doors.
It was uncanny; as soon as I walked into the building, I was desperate to get the job.
In her early years at Baytree, Margaret worked across two part-time roles: managing the administration of the women’s courses and running the youth department. At the time, the youth programme was small, consisting of a study club, dance classes, and a handful of other activities.
Over time, Margaret’s true calling at Baytree became clear. Despite their commitment to learning, many women in the English classes struggled to make progress because they had not had access to education in their home countries. Without basic literacy skills, learning a new language becomes an immense challenge. Determined to make a difference, Margaret and several colleagues undertook specialist training in literacy teaching, building on her existing experience as an educator.
Now, 27 years on, Margaret continues her work coordinating and tutoring within the ESOL programme. It is here that she has experienced some of the most rewarding moments of her career. She recalls the joy of seeing her students light up with pride as they share stories of suddenly realising—often in the course of everyday life—that they can read or write. These moments, she reflects, are what make the work truly meaningful.
One woman told Margaret how she had just been on a flight home from holiday when her sister, puzzled, asked why she seemed so shocked by the magazine article she was reading. She replied, “It’s not that—I’ve just realised I can read!”
The impact of Margaret’s work is profound, particularly given the severe lack of access to education faced by the women Baytree serves. Her steady commitment to teaching provides a rare opportunity to build fundamental skills such as literacy and numeracy—skills which, without access to them, only deepen the barriers to inclusion these women face.
When Margaret hesitantly came for her interview in April of 1998, she never could have imagined how many lives would be impacted by her work over the next three decades. Her story serves as an incredible reminder of how a small moment of courage to follow your instinct to try and make a difference can be all it takes to discover how much of an impact you can really have.
Watch Margaret’s interview here
Written by: Bette Jeffs
