FAMILIES in Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham are being invited to open up their homes and play host to visitors from France later this year – and they could be well rewarded for their hospitality.

Corringham teacher Veronique Surry-Kaise, who has previously featured on Thurrock Nub news for her charitable fundraising efforts,is hoping to get a learning project off the ground for French students.

Veronique is working in conjunction with LEC (séjours linguistics) and is trying to set up a centre this summer where visiting students for will learn English and about the UK.

Students will be based in the borough in July and Veronique is looking for local families who can play host to them.

She says: "I have links with Gable Hall, and they offered us a venue for them to have their morning session over there. In the afternoon I will have to organise local activities.

"For the project to happen, I need to find about 30 warm, welcoming host families. If you have space to share (in Corringham or Stanford-le-Hope), would like to make a positive difference to a young person's life, and make new friends, this may be just the thing.

"It's a rewarding experience in more ways than one - not only does LEC pay a useful sum of money in return for full-board accommodation, but it's also a great way to expand your knowledge of French culture and make new friends.

"The students (11-17yrs) come from all over France and will attend classes and educational visits every weekday.They are independent and generally out of the house between 8.30am and 5.30pm.

"There's no need to pick up or drop off other than from a local pick up/drop off point on the day of arrival/departure."

The project will run from 10 to 23 July 2024 and on offer to local families is the following:-

£29 per day hosting 1 student- £377 for 13 days

£56 per day hosting 2 students - £728 for 13 days.

To find out more – or to contact Veronique - follow this link.