Education group recognised for asylum seeker work

Northumberland College is part of the EPNE group, which has achieved College of Sanctuary status

An education group has been given College of Sanctuary status for its work with refugees.

Education Partnership North East (EPNE) - made up of Sunderland College, Northumberland College and Hartlepool Sixth Form - achieved the title after pledging to support people seeking sanctuary in the UK.

It is the first college group in north-east England to become a College of Sanctuary.

Kendra Kirby, vice principal of curriculum at EPNE, said the status solidified the group's commitment to a culture that welcomed students seeking sanctuary.

"This award enables us to truly recognise the contribution and achievement of our sanctuary-seeking student community and continue to raise positive awareness," she added.

EPNE said it had established a Strategic Sanctuary Steering Group and had appointed CoS champions across its colleges.

The group is also developing a Conversation Cafe scheme, which aims to develop a community of people who have "lived experiences in relation to sanctuary".

It also works alongside external organisations such as Sunderland-based Friends of the Drop in (FODI), which aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of asylum seekers, and Young Asian Voices, a multicultural youth and community project.

Sara Trewhitt, director of operations at College of Sanctuary, described EPNE's recognition as a "tremendous achievement".

"Each of the member colleges demonstrated an incredibly rich provision for new arrivals, with notable academic, pastoral, extracurricular help to ensure their learners can thrive as they settle into their local communities," she said.