Guest blog by Luminate Education Group
Members of Luminate Education Group; Leeds City College, Harrogate College and Keighley College have been hosting a series of Refugee Week events to celebrate the rich diversity of their campuses.
Each of the colleges, over the past couple of years, has been awarded College of Sanctuary status in recognition of the exceptional steps they take to support refugees and those seeking asylum.
Refugee Week provides them with a powerful opportunity each year to engage in everything from hosting International Days to joining, or launching, campaigns. The event also allows staff and students to come together to share their experiences and the challenges they have had to overcome.
International Day celebrations
Caption – The Lord Mayor of Leeds is handed an International Day t-shirt
Caption: Students perform songs from their home countries
Caption: Staff and students celebrate the grand reveal of their garden of sanctuary
At Leeds City College North Street Campus, staff and students celebrated International Day, an event that honours the college’s tapestry of cultures, languages and traditions.
The event brought campuses together through activities such as sharing food, learning new languages and exchanging stories and experiences.
During the day, the campus revealed its new Garden of Sanctuary – an area that has been transformed by a group of English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) students who spent the past year honing their skills to create an inclusive safe space for socialisation, relaxation, and reflection.
They also welcomed the new Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung who spoke with the students to hear their stories and learn about their countries of origin.
Students engage with the Lift the Ban campaign
Caption: Leeds City College students engaging in the Lift the Ban campaign by holding banners on the stage of Leeds Playhouse.
Leeds City College students participated in raising awareness of Leeds City of Sanctuary’s Lift The Ban campaign tour, which took place at Leeds Playhouse during its 10th anniversary of being the world’s first Theatre of Sanctuary.
Lift the Ban is an initiative led by various organisations and advocacy groups in the UK, aimed at allowing asylum seekers the right to work while their claims are being processed.
Bringing people together through a love of food
Caption: ESOL and Hospitality students team up to serve meals inspired by their home countries
Caption: The college hosted a Ukrainian market which raised funds for charity
Harrogate College recently hosted an International Food Festival, bringing together staff and students to showcase the cultural and linguistic backgrounds within the campus.
The festival featured artwork and displays presented by ESOL students along with a Ukrainian market to raise funds for a Ukrainian charity.
Throughout the day, the campus enjoyed delicious meals served by their ESOL and Hospitality students, with recipes inspired by their home countries.
Special guests, Margaret Adele Bond (Chair) and Dennis Brickles (Treasurer) from Harrogate and Knaresborough District of Sanctuary also joined the celebrations, sharing their praises with the students.
Keighley College joins Eastwood Community School’s Peace Meal
Caption: Keighley College joins Eastwood Community School for celebrations
Keighley College joined Eastwood Community School for a peace meal as they celebrated becoming a school of sanctuary.
Local councillors, Keighley Soroptimists and members of the public gathered to share stories and enjoy performances over a delicious meal. The evening also featured two Keighley College students, who are asylum seekers who shared heartfelt stories about what their home means to them.
Continued support
These Refugee Week activities are just a snapshot of the work the colleges do, year-round, to support and empower communities.
Photo image credit – Luminate Education Group