Bringing College of Sanctuary to life

Welcoming everyone as equal and valued members of the college community is something we’re incredibly passionate about at Leeds City College.

One way in which we want to show that the college is a safe and welcoming place is by becoming a College of Sanctuary, which is recognised by City of Sanctuary UK. 

College of Sanctuary is an accreditation received by further education institutions that foster a culture of welcome and inclusion, which is led by three key principles:

• Learn: Schools help their students, staff and wider community learn about what it means to be seeking sanctuary and the issues surrounding forced migration.
• Embed: Schools are committed to creating a safe and inclusive culture of welcome that benefits everybody, including anyone in their community seeking sanctuary.
• Share: Schools share their values and activities with their local communities.

As a college, we’re dedicated to becoming a College of Sanctuary, which is centred on extending a welcome to everyone as equal, valued members of the college community.

The School of Events, Enterprise and Employability has been promoting the message across all campuses, demonstrating the importance of helping students to understand what sanctuary means and how to help those who may be in that situation.

Awais Hussain, Level 4 Project Manager, has been working with his team to spread the word. He said: “We provided a presentation in pastoral sessions which contained useful information on what it means to be a College of Sanctuary and the meaning of seeking sanctuary. 

“We encouraged students to spark their creative flair by making origami birds, writing on the designs what sanctuary and home means to them. These colourful bird displays are up across campuses including Park Lane, Printworks and Quarry Hill. The aim is to show that we are a welcoming, equal college community that opens its arms to everyone, especially those who are seeking sanctuary and may have been displaced from their original homes.”