Learners and staff at Lewisham College came together in June to mark Refugee Week, celebrating the strength, resilience and contributions of refugees and people seeking sanctuary in the local community.
Led by the College’s student volunteer Sanctuary Ambassadors, a programme of activities explored this year’s Refugee Week theme, Courage, while creating opportunities for learners to share experiences and build connections between those forced to leave their homes.
A writing competition invited learners to reflect on the theme of courage, highlighting powerful stories of resilience and determination. The winning entry, written by a young ESOL learner, described a journey from Sudan to the UK in search of safety.
Reflecting on their experiences, the learner wrote: “I fled Sudan with my sister and her children because of conflict. The journey was long, hard and very dangerous. At times, I found safety and protection. Now I am safe in the United Kingdom. I am strong.”
The College also hosted a special Refugee Week lunch attended by around 60 students. During the event, Sanctuary Ambassadors led interactive activities that celebrated communication across different languages and cultures, helping learners to build connections and learn more about one another’s experiences.
Several students shared personal stories of migration, resilience and new beginnings. One learner from Syria spoke about the challenges of starting a new life in the UK, saying: “Leaving my country was one of the hardest things I have ever experienced. For me, courage means starting again in a new country, learning a new language, and not giving up when things are hard.”
Throughout the week, Sanctuary Ambassadors organised multilingual displays across campus celebrating courage and belonging. They also represented the College at community events, including Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network’s United in Courage: Voices of Strength and Solidarity event, where they supported participants to create hundreds of badges featuring positive messages of welcome and inclusion.
Elsewhere, Pre-Entry ESOL Young Learners collaborated with the National Maritime Museum Greenwich on a creative art project exploring the theme of courage. Their artwork was later displayed at the historic Queen’s House, showcasing the creativity, talent and perspectives of Lewisham College learners to the wider public.
As a recognised College of Sanctuary, Lewisham College is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where all learners feel supported to achieve their goals. Refugee Week provided a valuable opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the College community, amplify learner voices and recognise the courage shown by refugees and people seeking sanctuary every day.
Find out more about Lewisham College's College of Sanctuary work on our website.
