A NEW weekly event that starts tomorrow will provide English language support to the international community in Carlisle.

The English Cafe is a joint partnership between Carlisle Library, Cumbria County Council, and AWAZ that will help people practice their English in a safe environment.

It will be hosted at the library every Wednesday from 9.30am until 11.30am.

Timothy Cottingham, community services officer at Carlisle Library, said: “It all started with us doing a bit more collaboration from within the Library and the council’s community learning and skills department.

He has previously volunteered with AWAZ so he saw a gap to bring together these organizations to support the international community which includes Kurdish, Arabic, and Eastern European populations.

“It seems like there is kind of a gap in the market,” he said.

“I don’t know if there is a space for international newcomers to come and... to informally chat in English and get plugged into council services.”

There will be an opportunity for people to sign up for a library membership and free English language lessons whilst there.

John Watt & Sons and Costa will be on hand to provide tea, coffee, and other refreshments to those who are attending the cafe.

For those who wish to enjoy a more relaxed morning, there will be board games, cards, and chess to play.