We have become the first college in the district to achieve College of Sanctuary status.

City of Sanctuary awards colleges this recognition to those that go  above and beyond to support refugees and people seeking asylum. Through this national accolade, good practice is recognised and celebrated. 

The college, which submitted a portfolio of evidence collated over 18 months, was recognised for its values-led approach and for being an inclusive, nurturing and progressive education institution.

Holly Hansen-Maughan, Partnerships & Development Manager at Harrogate College, said: “The impact that an inclusive, welcoming and nurturing college environment can have on asylum seekers and refugees is important.

“We are proud to be a college that helps its students, staff and wider community to understand what it means to be seeking sanctuary, and to extend a welcome to everyone as equal, valued members of our college community.

“The recognition not only cements the work we are doing but represents just how far many people have travelled to be educated at our college and have progressed on other courses or employment.

“We are committed to being a safe place for those seeking sanctuary. Through our work with the Harrogate District of Sanctuary over the last year, we have looked at ways we can improve the support we offer and how those in our community can access that support and the resources we have available.”

Siân Summer-Rees, Chief Officer at the City of Sanctuary, said: “The team at Harrogate College have gone above and beyond to ensure students who have fled war and persecution feel safe and supported and we are delighted that they are now a College of Sanctuary, the first in North Yorkshire.

“Thoughtful, compassionate and welcoming support and attention mean people can achieve the best possible outcomes, and for many seeking sanctuary, the experiences they have on campus will shape their futures in their new country.”

The college is also hosting a refugee film festival this month, dedicated to showcasing films produced by both student refugees and filmmakers across the city about their lives and experiences.

Taking place on Thursday 23 June from 6:00pm, the evening will feature several guest speakers, including local historian, Dr Paul Jennings. Organisations such as Oxfam and Harrogate District of Sanctuary will be there on the night to speak to people and share information. There will also be community stalls and student displays.

City of Sanctuary is a network contributing to building the movement for welcome

and inclusion in the UK by promoting, recognising and celebrating ways in which people seeking sanctuary enrich society. 

A high-profile local business has praised Harrogate College students for the fresh thinking they contributed during a work experience placement.

Three Digital Media students joined the Techbuyer Group, a sustainable IT solutions provider that operates globally with its roots firmly in Harrogate.

One was welcomed by Techbuyer’s marketing team while the other two joined the firm’s sister company, Ortial, for the week-long placement.

A rewarding and seamless experience

Techbuyer, a member of the Harrogate College Employers’ Network, was delighted with how the students got on and the contribution they made.

Senior Marketing Coordinator at Techbuyer, Maral O’Brien, said: “This was a rewarding experience all round.

“We benefited from the new ideas and perspectives imparted by the  students, and found working with Harrogate College to be hassle-free.

“We found that setting up the work experience was easy, with a placement coordinator from the college helping to facilitate the selection of students, making it a seamless process. Techbuyer would recommend working with Harrogate College to other businesses in the area – it’s an impactful way to help young people become career-ready.

“The work experience opportunity was also a good way of furthering our goal of educating young people about sustainable digital practices in our local community.

“Building and developing links within our community is so important to us, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the college and other local organisations.”

Allies in the fight for sustainability

Techbuyer’s commitment to sustainable practices saw it named Circular Economy Business of the Year at the IEMA Awards, in 2020. The business also set itself nine ambitious targets focused on education, health and wellbeing, and responsible consumption, in 2019 as part of its commitment to the UN Global Goals.

Harrogate College has also put the environment and sustainability at the heart of its operations, and has a Sustainability Pledge which outlines its ambitions to become net zero carbon by 2030.

The college also teaches carbon literacy training and continually updates its courses to ensure they meet the demand for green skills and have sustainability embedded within them. 

In March, meanwhile, the college held a Green Month packed with environmentally-targeted activities and talks.

Maral said this made the college a natural ally: “Contributing to the UN Global Goals is a company-wide effort, and it is initiatives like the recent work experience placement with Harrogate College that showcase our commitment to education and to our local community.

“There is a clear link with Harrogate College in that they aim to instill key sustainability skills through every course in their curriculum, to shape and advance students’ career prospects.”

To find out about setting up work experience opportunities with the college, email contact placement coordinator Susan Roberts at Susan.Roberts@harrogate.ac.uk.

Harrogate College has been nationally-recognised, for a second year running, for its continued commitment to sustainability.

The college has been awarded the bronze level Modeshift STARS accreditation for promoting sustainable and active travel in the community. This is just one of many aspects the college is changing to incorporate more sustainable practice, as well as its focus on preparing people with green skills.

The college has been promoting green business practices across the district over the past 18 months and will step up its support for the electric vehicle (EV) sector through the introduction of a new course in September.

It also hosted the launch of the first ever Harrogate Climate Action Festival, which saw hundreds of people come together in October 2021 to hear from sustainability-focused exhibitors.

Holly Hansen-Maughan, Partnerships & Development Manager at Harrogate College, said: “Sustainable travel and transport is just one part of the college’s commitment to sustainability.

“As an education provider committed to sustainability and supporting the local economy, we are continually finding ways to educate our students and staff on becoming more environmentally friendly, so it’s great that our work is being recognised again by the Modeshift STARS award.

“We are dedicated to empowering young people by enhancing their understanding of environmental issues, and recently offered Carbon Literacy Training to all staff and students. We also encourage learners to participate in the various environmental campaigns and activities we run through our enrichment programme.

“Our aim is to work with local organisations and businesses to meet their needs – this includes developing courses for emerging technologies and green skills which contribute positively to the environment.”

From September, all courses at the college will consider how sustainable practice and green skills impact that curriculum area.

Over the last twelve months the college has worked with a number of groups and local businesses to promote sustainable initiatives, including Zero Carbon Harrogate, Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition, of which Principal Danny Wild is now Chair.

The college is focused on becoming a local centre of green excellence and as outlined in its Sustainability Pledge, is committed to working towards becoming net zero carbon by 2030.

To find out more, or to get your business or organisation involved in future projects, contact Holly Hansen-Maughan at Holly.Hansen-Maughan@harrogate.ac.uk.

Launched in 2008, the STARS Education scheme is supported by the Department for Transport and has seen over 1,400 schools in England achieve accreditation since its inception.

When Megan Knight switched from university to study Beauty Therapy at Harrogate College, she was worried about feeling overwhelmed.

Megan is autistic and knew there would be both learning barriers and sensory triggers, due to all of the creams, oils and other substances involved, to overcome while pursuing her studies.

But the college’s staff worked closely with her to draw up an action plan that would remove obstacles and give Megan the very best chance to succeed – and it worked.

Megan, who is in her twenties, went on to excel at her course at both Level 2 and 3, and the college continued to support her when she started applying for spa therapist jobs.

Programme Manager for Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy at Harrogate College, Steph Keedy, said: “We decided to put a little explanation together for the employers Megan was approaching, about why having autism was actually a benefit for the role of a spa therapist.

“This really helped them gain some understanding, and it resulted in Megan gaining employment at a spa, at Hazlewood Castle, which is her dream job.”

Autism Europe says that a ‘serious lack of adapted education and training’ is one of the greatest barriers that autistic people face in terms of trying to gain employment.

Megan is now loving her spa therapist role, but acknowledges the extra barriers that people with autism have to overcome when they are studying and job-hunting.

Pushing past stigma

She said: “I absolutely adore my job at Hazlewood Castle! We have a fantastic team and everyone is super-supportive.

“My Spa Manager couldn’t be any nicer and has been a rock to me these last few months. Despite only being in my role for a short amount of time, I’ve been able to progress so far and I’m so grateful to be given that level of responsibility.

“When you’re autistic and trying to get a job, many employers are unsure about autism as there is still plenty of stigma around it. You just have to push through and keep applying without letting any rejections discourage you.

“If, and when, employers do ask about it I’ve found it best to focus on what autism can positively do – it can be a superpower if you let it be.”

She is full of praise for the help she received at college – and has words of encouragement for anyone else considering a similar journey.

Exceptional support – and a message for others

She said: “Due to all the different sensations you experience during the Beauty Therapy course (through being expolsed to oils, creams, exfoliants and similar substances) there’s always a risk that something will set off a negative sensory response.

“But my tutors at Harrogate were great at setting a calming work environment, so I was less likely to be triggered.

“Autism can also affect the way we learn but, due to me being a visual learner, I was often able to watch a treatment demo before being able to copy it myself.

“For others with autism who are thinking of studying or applying for a job, I would say – never let the ignorance surrounding autism get in your way.

“Despite the difficulties and struggles we can face every day, your autism gives you a creative view on the world, so work with that and let that creativity shine through. Stay focused on your goal and don’t let anyone get in your way.”

Steph added: “Megan keeps in touch with all the beauty team and has told us she would like to come in and share her learner journey with our current students, and demonstrate some of the treatments she now carries out in the spa.

“She has come such a long way in just under three years, what an absolute success!”

Power Of Youth Day, which takes place during Volunteers’ Week, is an opportunity to shout about the incredible contributions that young people are making in their communities, society and the environment. Throughout the day events and celebrations take place across the UK. Leaders, organisations and young people take to social media to celebrate the #PowerOfYouth, recognising the invaluable and diverse contribution they are making to society.  

To those ends, here are a few organisations that empower young people that you can direct interested students towards. 

LGBTQ+ Fundraiser

Fundraisers are always a hit at Harrogate College and a group of students worked on an LGBTQ+ fundraiser for LGBTQ+ history month. They planned and advertised the event and sold homemade cakes and biscuits, homemade decorations, wristbands, flags and bookmarks, raising nearly £100 for Yorkshire MESMAC.

UNICEF Fundraiser

The same group of students helped the Students’ Union raise money for UNICEF to support children who are suffering in Ukraine as a result of the war. The students supported by making and serving iced coffee, raising over £100 altogether.

Pride Party

The students are going to continue their hard work and use all the skills they have learnt to run a Pride Party, including decorations, wristbands, flags and mocktails, in June. They plan to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust, a cause close to some of the students’ hearts.

This month is Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller History Month (GRTHM). Established in Britain in 2008, GRTHM month raises awareness and explores the history of travelling communities. 

The month aims to tackle the negative stigma and prejudices these communities have faced for centuries. It seeks to educate those about their contribution to society and how we can support them and help them feel included in our society. 

What are the differences between Gypsy, Roma and Traveller? 

There are many differences between Gypsy, Roma and Travellers. Although they are nomadic groups, their communities follow entirely different cultural values. 

Romany Gypsies travelled west from Europe around the 10th and 12th centuries during the Roma migration from India. Romany is the word that Gypsy people in England and Wales apply to themselves, hence the term ‘Romany Gypsy’.

The word ‘Roma’ is used as a term for European ‘Gypsies’. Over the past 50 years, there has been an increase in Roma people in the UK. 

Irish Travellers are said to have migrated to England in the early 19th century. They mainly came to England after the Great Famine in the 1850s and then after World War II. 

‘What Makes a Home?’

This year, the theme for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month is ‘What Makes a Home?’. Gypsy, Roma and Travellers are known for their nomadic lifestyle, however, some families have lived in houses for generations but maintain their cultural identity and travel seasonally. 

There are many reasons families move into housing. It can often be difficult to access vital services such as healthcare, dental care, education and employment, especially those that require addresses.

Some may feel that the move into housing is due to a shortage of available sites for vehicles and stopping places. 

The government has recently implemented new laws which make the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller nomadic lifestyle more difficult. People are now at risk of having their vehicle (home) confiscated and facing fines and imprisonment. 

Not only does this affect their way of life, but also affects their mental health with suicide rates being 11% of all deaths in the Irish Traveller community according to the All Ireland Traveller Health Study. 

Their life expectancy from the latest data shows they live around 10 years less than that of the non-Traveller population according to the Equality and Human Rights Commission.  

A helping hand

York Travellers Trust works solely with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities in York and the surrounding areas. Their charity objectives are ‘to relieve the poverty and advance the education of the communities and to preserve and protect the health of such persons’. 

Leeds GATE is an organisation led by Gypsy and Traveller people in partnership with others in and across Yorkshire. They are a resource centre that supports Gypsy and Travellers living in Leeds and passing through. 

Resources

Here are some resources below to learn more about the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. 

Learn more about the history of Gypsies, Roma and Travellers with this animation. 

Tackling inequalities faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities

This is a House of Commons Committee report with recommendations to the Government. 

Harrogate College’s Hospitality team is in the running to scoop a major award.

The Bistro on the Park has been shortlisted in the Best Achievement of the Year category of Harrogate’s Hospitality and Tourism Awards 2022.

Run by the college’s catering and hospitality students, expert chefs and tutors, the bistro is regularly transformed into a full restaurant for themed dining evenings. Those events give the students valuable experience of working in a busy, public-facing catering environment to ensure they are ‘work-ready’ when they have completed their studies.

The college’s hospitality department has also been working closely with local employers – on recruitment drives, work experience and tailoring its courses – to help the sector recover from Covid-19.

Proud to be nominated – and to support the local hospitality industry

Harrogate College’s Cultural, Contemporary and Heritage Studies Programme Manager, Jason Parry, said: “It is an honour for us to be nominated for this award.

“It is no secret that the hospitality industry has been through one of its toughest times. The impact of Brexit and the pandemic has put an increased pressure on businesses and the staff who work tirelessly to keep the local hospitality and tourism trade going.

“The fact that our teaching team and students have been put forward for this award is a great reflection of the commitment and passion that the staff and students have demonstrated over recent months,, while working to support the local sector. And such commitment is perfectly paired with the resilience that is needed to work in the industry at this time.”

The college will find out how it has fared on Monday 6 June, when the award winners will be announced during a gala dinner at the Royal Hall.

Sharing real-world experience with students 

Its hospitality students have enjoyed a busy year that has seen them create and serve up several meals to the public based around themes ranging from Autumn Vegan Dinner and Christmas around Europe to St Patrick’s Day.

They have also been meeting and learning more about a number of local employers including RHS Garden Harlow Carr, who they are working with on a ‘design a menu’ project.

And in April, during the college’s Green Month, they learned more about sustainability and reducing food waste through a talk from Lucy McCarey, from Too Good To Go.

Recent fact-finding visits, meanwhile, have included trips to Rudding Park Hotel, the Grand Hotel, in York, and Leeds city centre – where Professional Cookery students sampled dishes and produce at Trinity Kitchen and Kirkgate Market.

Harrogate’s Hospitality and Tourism Awards received more than 1,000 nominations this year, and the awards night sold out in record time. Harrogate College sponsors the event’s Newcomer of the Year award, and was also involved in the judging for the Chef of the Year category.

Professional Cookery students got a chance to hone their fish preparation skills while preparing a themed menu for St Patrick’s Day.

The Harrogate College students, who recently completed a unit focused on preparing and cooking fish, had to produce a four course meal for paying visitors at the March event.

The dishes they created were inspired by the theme of the Irish Coast. They included salmon pate (served with pickled cucumber and Guinness and treacle soda bread) and cod in white wine and chive sauce, with a traditional lamb stew also prepared as an alternative.

As always on dining nights, the college’s canteen area was transformed into a busy restaurant which, on this occasion, served about 40 guests.

A great success

Harrogate College’s Cultural, Contemporary and Heritage Studies Programme Manager, Jason Parry, said: “The evening put the students’ skills to the test and was a great success.

“The progress they have made was clear for all to see.”

The cookery students also recently enjoyed a trip to Leeds city centre where they were given a hotel tour, visited the Corn Exchange, sampled some dishes at Leeds Trinity, and took a ride on a water taxi.

After sampling the food at Trinity Kitchen the group took part in a challenge that wouldn’t have looked out of place on the BBC’s The Apprentice.

Based at Kirkgate Market, the students were divided into teams that had to gather specific information about seafood and meat, and find the most unusual fruit and vegetables.

The Leeds visit was arranged as a fun-focused reward for the students following months of hard work. 

Professional Cookery student Ellena Harrison-Wood said: “The Leeds trip was an amazing experience for us and the other hospitality students that came along.

“At the market we were shown the importance of shopping locally, and how important community cohesion is when it comes to the hospitality sector and good food in general.

“As for the Saint Patrick’s night meal, the customers had a great time and said we had improved massively since our first Italian night, last year.”

The college, which runs a range of hospitality and professional cookery courses, has been working closely with local businesses to help the sector recover from the impact of the pandemic.

Harrogate College is hosting a special event to help members of the local construction industry find out about funding and training opportunities.

The CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) funding awareness session takes place at the college on Thursday 26 May.

The event will give attendees the chance to find out about what support, in terms of grants, funding and training, is available.

The session runs from 8.30am to 9.30am and will include three short presentations including from John Long, of CITB, and Lorraine Kirbitson, from North Yorkshire Construction Training Group.

A representative from the college will also give an overview of the courses and apprenticeships that we offer, and show visitors the facilities that are available in our construction department.

Those attending will also be able to find out how to access free training at the college, which is being funded by Zero Carbon Harrogate, later in the year.

The event is open to anyone working in the trades. To reserve your place contact Lorraine on 07713 034917 (email lorraine@nyctg.co.uk) or book on Eventbrite here.

Harrogate College is pleased to be hosting this event as part of its ongoing support for local building sector and our commitment to responding to employers’ needs. If you would like to be updated about similar events and training, join the Harrogate College Employers’ Network.