Lewisham College proudly marked Refugee Week this year by standing in solidarity with refugees, celebrating their resilience, strength, and the vital contributions they make to communities across the UK and beyond.
This year’s theme, “Community as a Superpower”, was brought to life through a variety of events, workshops, and creative displays led by our ESOL learners and supported by staff and partner organisations.
Learners across the College took part in meaningful activities that encouraged reflection, conversation, and action. A film screening held on campus featured Los Comandos and The Scent of Geranium—two powerful short films exploring displacement and belonging. This was followed by a group discussion where students shared personal insights and explored the central themes of resilience, identity, and community.
A football tournament in Hilly Fields provided a brilliant opportunity for students from across the College to come together in the spirit of teamwork, reinforcing the idea that shared experiences and collaboration are key to building stronger communities.
Elsewhere, learners organised a cake sale to raise funds for local charities Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL), Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network, and the Ruth Hayman Trust—organisations that offer vital support to refugees and asylum seekers in the local area.
Our ESOL classes also created a moving series of posters expressing what “Community as a Superpower” means to them. The multilingual displays celebrated cultural diversity and the shared values of inclusion, support, and togetherness.
In partnership with the Royal Museums Greenwich, the College also hosted a series of creative workshops led by poet Sonia Quintero, artist Michelle Butcher, and College tutor Rebecca Galbraith. The sessions provided a safe space for young people, including refugees and asylum seekers, to share their experiences and explore the meaning of community through poetry and visual art.
To round off the week, our ESOL Level 1 Preparation for Work class presented their collaborative project to Principal Jamie Stevenson. Their work conveyed a clear and powerful message: “True superpower is born from unity of cultures: friendship and understanding. When community stands together, refugees thrive.”
Lewisham College is proud to be part of this national movement. Find out more about the College’s commitment to Equality and diversity here.
