Volunteer Instructors
Meet our dedicated and committed Volunteer Teachers. Behind our empowered members are these wonderful teachers who are there for us not just to educate and upskilled us but also empowered us to stand-up and fight for our rights.
Thank you for your love, dedication and commitment!
Anne McConnell
ESOL / English Instructor
Anne is an ESOL Teacher and Community Organiser, employed by English for Action. She started teaching ESOL with the Voice of Domestic Workers in September 2023. She lives in the London Borough of Croydon.
She has been teaching ESOL for 10 years, joining English for Action in 2016. Previous to teaching, her jobs included bilingual advocacy (English and French) at Stockwell Partnership; lobbying and activism on Haiti as Coordinator for the Haiti Support Group; and developing educational materials in the world church charity sector.
As a speaker of Haitian Creole, she was always keen to understand the ambivalent attitude towards Haitian Creole within Haiti and studied sociolinguistics at Lancaster University. Her diverse background and itinerant childhood, moving between Haiti and N Ireland has increased her awareness and empathy with those making similar journeys.
Roman Berry
Body and Mind Wellness Instructor
Born from the Philippines, but an Australian citizen, Roman Berry is a Theatre Maker, Director and Choreographer. He trained at Flinders University Drama Centre (Acting) and Centre for Performing Arts (Dance) Australia. Performance career highlights include Cameron Mackintosh’s Australian Premiere of Miss Saigon. He was also the Artistic Director II Commonwealth Youth Games Opening & Closing Ceremony (Australia). He recently returned to Melbourne, after ten years in London, where he collaborated as Director/ Movement Director on several Off West End and Fringe Theatre productions, focusing on New Plays & New Musicals. Companies include The Bread & Roses Theatre, Goldsmiths University, The Jack Studio Theatre, Arrows & Traps Theatre Company, just to name a few. Inspired by the campaign and plight of migrant domestic workers with the then Justice for Domestic Workers UK, he has been involved as a volunteer facilitator since 2016, helping with what started as a Dance and Drama workshop. He has since created and conceptualised Body and Mind, Wellness Workshops with The Voice of Domestic Workers. He is also the Artistic Director of Divergent Theatre Collective.
Elija Paul Villanueva
IT / Computer Instructor
Elija has been teaching IT Computer class for 8 years and also supporting and teaching Domestic Workers under Old Overseas Domestic worker Visa with route to British Citizenship so they pass the ''Life in the UK test'' which is a requirement to be able to apply the ''Indefinite Leave to Remain and British Citizenship. Elija has Masters Degree in Science Digital Marketing and Data Analytics. He has also a degree in Bachelors in Arts Business Management. Elija is an Entrepreneur and owned a local business.
Elija is a Filipino UK Community Advocate and Founder YAPAK organisation, He is also a Photographer. His photography with Justice 4 Domestic Workers (former name of The Voice of Domestic Workers) called ''Black and White : Bring to Light'' has been exhibited everywhere like in the House of Commons, UK Parliament, The Showroom and City Hall to name few and this exhibit has been used to raise awareness on the plight of migrant domestic workers and for policy change to improve the living and working condition of migrant domestic workers in the UK.
Aimee Laureal
Media and Communication Instructor
Aimee Laurel is a digital media and communications professional with nine years of international experience working in Toronto, Canada, Los Angeles, USA and London, UK.
Aimee started to volunteer and dedicate her time on January 2020 in teaching and upskilling digitally the members of MediaCom Working Group. MediaCom started to produce Newsletter with the guidance of Aimee Laurel. It was very good timing when Aimee joined VODW because pandemic lockdown happened in March 2020. Aimee teaches our members to be digitally equipped creating campaign graphics and short campaign videos using Canva and other available free photo and video editor software and apps. MediaCom members are confident in accessing social media and this helped them to access the outside world and connect with their families and friends during the long years lockdown and helped ease their isolation and mental health problems. The MedicaCom group under the supervision of Aimee Laurel has been the driving force of our active campaigning to uphold the rights of migrant domestic workers.
Nathanya Aritao (Tanya)
Financial Wellbeing Teacher
Tanya is an artist, social entrepreneur and social justice advocate. Through people-centered programs, Tanya helps lift up leaders, communities, and organizations, so they can live and lead beyond their expectations. For over thirteen years now, Tanya has served vulnerable communities and mission-driven organizations. Tanya has an MBA from the University of Oxford, is a fellow of the RSA and a member of the RSA Good Work Guild.
Tanya first volunteered for VODW in October 2019, running focus groups and a 1:1 pilot programme on financial coaching. She officially started the weekly VODW Financial Wellbeing class in April 2020. In the classes, VODW members learn practical tools in financial management, build confidence, and support each other to make healthy and sustainable financial decisions.