NewVIc celebrates the strength and resilience of refugees like our student Olha; who fled the war in the Ukraine.

As a college, we support students from all walks of life. Diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of who we are as a college. Wherever you're from, whatever your story, we're here for all our students.

Olha is about to finish studying the Progress to Advanced Programme (PTOA). She fled an arms conflict in the Ukraine and moved to the UK and joined the college on the PTOA last year. It was a spontaneous movement to a country that offered her and her family an opportunity and protection against danger at home.

While at NewVIc the teachers helped her in difficult periods, supported her and encouraged her to take action where needed. The Foundation Learning department and all its members were her support anchor during a difficult year adjusting to a new country, a new home, new people and a new language. NewVIc aims to ensure that all our students leave college with a strong sense of what it means to be a good citizen and can use their voice and education to make the world a better place for everyone.

Olha and her peers led on a student refugee campaign in the college, raising awareness and fundraising for the charity, Save The Children. Together with her classmates and teachers, they managed to raise more than £260.00 in one hour. The aim of their campaign was to show the world that refugees are just like them, ordinary human beings who have just faced difficult barriers and situations that compel them to flee and try and relocate elsewhere.

Olha, PTOA student, said:

“As a refugee myself, I know first hand how difficult it is fleeing from a country that went into war. Refugees need support, understanding and opportunities to save them from the horrific situations they had to flee. I owed it to myself to spread and raise awareness about this topic to the wider community, students and staff. In my opinion, people should treat everyone equally, no matter who they are and why and with what intention they came to another country.”

Annabelle Herring, Head of Foundation Learning and Olha’s tutor, added:

“Refugees are neither seen nor heard, but they are everywhere. Olha is an inspirational young person, she is driven and ambitious in all aspects of her life. She approaches everything with enthusiasm. She inspires others and is always humble and willing to help. She has been an outstanding student in Foundation Learning and on our refugee campaign at NewVIc. We care about the wellbeing of our students and will do all we can to support them.”