Matthew Sherwood joined ENGin three months ago as part of his mid-career transition to becoming a teacher of English as a foreign language. His motivation extended beyond professional development — he wanted to make a positive impact on Ukrainian citizens while learning about their rich history and culture.
From the outset, Matthew found ENGin to be the most well-resourced and effective English buddying NGO he had encountered. Despite initial nerves, his first conversation with Yuliia quickly reassured him that the sessions were about much more than language learning.
“I was quite nervous before I met my first buddy online, but from the start of that conversation with Yulii, I realized the sessions are about much more than helping with English. They’re also about friendship, and discovering our similarities and differences.”
Now, Matthew has expanded his role to include multiple buddy relationships. He works with individual buddies, Nata and Yuliia, as well as two Mini-Groups: Oleh/Tetiana and Andriy/Iryna. Their conversations range from British social customs — like the national obsession with discussing the weather — to personal stories, career aspirations, and family life.
Matthew describes his experience as overwhelmingly positive, filled with emotions ranging from happiness and hope to sadness and determination. His buddies are gaining confidence in their English skills, and he has even attempted a few words in Ukrainian. The mutual exchange has enriched his life, making each session something to look forward to.
“I’ve felt sad, happy, pessimistic and full of hope, all thanks to my buddies. I hope they all feel the benefit and enjoy our time together as much as I do.”
One particularly memorable moment came when he met one of his Mini-Groups for the first time. When he casually asked if the two buddies knew each other, they surprised him by revealing that they were actually husband and wife! Their sessions have since become a source of joy and laughter. In one discussion, they introduced Matthew to Ukrainian cinema, only for Iryna to reveal that her favorite movie is "Love Actually" — a beloved British classic. It was a moment of unexpected cultural connection that reinforced the idea that, despite distance, people have more in common than they realize.
While volunteering with ENGin has undoubtedly supported Matthew’s development as an English teacher, he emphasizes that teaching experience is not a requirement to participate. Recently, he took on an additional role as an ENGin Ambassador in the UK. He is working to establish a Facebook/WhatsApp subgroup for volunteers in his region and is even trying to recruit his mother, who is in her seventies, to join as a buddy. He firmly believes she would make an excellent volunteer — though she remains unconvinced for now.
Matthew’s impact is best illustrated through the words of Iryna and Andriy Danilevsky, who participate in one of his Mini-Groups. Initially introduced to ENGin through their daughter’s participation, they decided to find a buddy for themselves.
“Matt is the perfect buddy match for our couple,” they share. “From the beginning, he was super organized, sending us time slots and surveys to ensure a productive first session. Our conversation flowed effortlessly, and we quickly discovered many similarities despite the 3,000 kilometers between Kyiv and Manchester. We eagerly anticipate every session with Matt, as they are filled with fun, memories, jokes, and new insights.”
Matthew Sherwood’s story highlights the power of language learning as a tool for human connection. Through his dedication and enthusiasm, he continues to foster relationships that bridge cultural gaps and bring people together — one conversation at a time.
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