A GOOLE Town Council employee who moved to the UK from Brazil is acting as a mentor to younger members of Goole's migrant communities.
Wexilin Martins originates from Curitiba Paraná in the south of Brazil and has lived in the UK for eight years.
He moved to Goole two years ago to be close to his parents and works as a building supervisor at Goole's new arts venue, The Junction.
A
talented linguist, Wexilin can speak Portuguese, Spanish and Italian, as well as English, and has put his skills to good use by providing translation services to some of the town's Portuguese and Brazilian residents, as well as offering mentoring and support to younger members of the community.
He does this on a voluntary basis and is also an active member of the town's New Life Church.
He explained: "When I was growing up, I moved overseas with my family and so I know what it's like for young people who don't have English as their first language to come to a foreign country.
"I help students of Goole High School with translation and also with any problems they may be having with bullying, the language barrier or settling in.
"When I was looking for someone to help me settle into a foreign country when I was younger, there was no-one, so I want to help other people.
"However, translating for people does sometimes lead me into some strange moments, like when I had to attend a hospital appointment with a pregnant lady and explain to her what the doctor was saying!"
Wexilin has a keen interest in the arts and is thoroughly enjoying his new job at The Junction, which he started when the venue opened two months ago.
Before moving to Goole, he lived in London, where he worked in a similar field.
He added: "I have lived all over the world, but I feel that there is a bright future here in Goole.
"I moved here to be with my parents and have since got married, so it feels like a place I can settle down in, and I want to help other new residents to do the same."