The Bradford College Welcome Café and Adult Skills team were triumphant at this year’s Leeds Global Learning Awards after winning in two categories.
Organised by the educational charity LeedsDEC, the awards recognise the amazing work and achievements of educators and young people tackling global challenges and were hosted during international Refugee Week.
Ten awards were announced at a special ceremony in the Banqueting Suite at Leeds Civic Hall on Friday (21st June), in front of guests, nominees, Leeds Youth Mayor, senior politicians, and the new Leeds Lady Mayoress.
Bradford College won the Intercultural Dialogue Award for the ESOL Global Learning project led by staff Monika Worthington and Seima Mahmood. The award celebrates initiatives where connections are made across diverse cultures on an issue relating to global justice and sustainability.
This year, the ESOL Global Learning Project involved four colleges from across the globe, working together on a blended learning project which covers Life Skills topics. Students from Bradford College and Weston College in the UK joined forces with students from Poland and Romania to participate in the multi-cultural initiative.
Bradford College Lecturer Monika Worthington said:
“Winning this award is a testament to the power of global collaboration in education. Our ESOL Global Learning Project has not only enhanced language skills but also fostered a deep sense of global citizenship among our students. It’s incredible to see how technology can bring classrooms together across continents, creating a truly multicultural learning experience. By connecting students from diverse backgrounds, we’ve seen remarkable growth in cultural understanding and empathy.”
Colleague Seima Mahmood added:
This project has shown that when we break down barriers and encourage open communication, we can create a more inclusive and sustainable world for all. Moreover, it has been instrumental in enhancing our students’ 21st-century skills, preparing them for success in an increasingly interconnected global workplace.
Seima Mahmood, Bradford College Lecturer
The Community Collaboration Award also went to the Bradford College Welcome Café, a project funded by Bradford Council and run in partnership with Millside Community Centre and SkillsHouse. The award is given to an education provider or youth group working with the wider community to address a global issue linked to justice or sustainability.
Participating students are often refugees, asylum seekers, face barriers to learning or work, and study English as a second language. Waryam Singh, a Bradford College Adult Skills tutor, oversees the collection of food donations which would otherwise go to waste. She teaches learners how to transform ingredients into delicious plant-based meals for the community.
As well as reducing food waste, the project enables students to improve cookery and English skills, share meals from diverse international cultures, and work as part of a team. Tuition also includes basic food hygiene, customer service, confidence-building to reduce isolation, and helps students become more employable.
Nutritious vegan food is accessible to everyone, including those who are unable to pay. Those taking refuge in hotels or with limited access to cooking facilities can enjoy these healthy meals at the Café or take meals away.
Bradford College Sustainability Lead and awards nominator, Chelsie Naylor, said:
“What a great result for Bradford College!! Well done to everyone involved. Projects such as Welcome Café support displaced learners in becoming part of a team, creating a sense of purpose and belonging again while also targeting zero-waste objectives.
Sustainability goes way beyond litter picking and plastic pollution – it’s about changing mindsets and behaviours, while supporting the holistic growth and development of others. Those involved in this project live and breathe this agenda.
In recognition of the zero-waste ethos of the project, the Welcome Café has also been invited to provide catering for the upcoming Eco Fest taking place this summer in the grounds of Cliffe Castle in Keighley.
Find out more about how Bradford College celebrated Refugee Week or visit the Welcome Café on Grattan Road, Bradford.
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