CARLISLE College's first ever refugee engagement officer has opened up about how she has been supporting local asylum seekers.

Mina Banisaeid was appointed into the role at the college at the end of October and has been helping local refugees and asylum seekers receive essential support and access to education.

Mina, who is also the chairwoman of the Carlisle City of Sanctuary, explained what her role is designed to do.

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She said: "It is a brand new role the college specifcally crafted for the refugees and asylum seekers in Carlisle and Cumbria who want to study at Carlisle College.

"My job is to engage with refugees and asylum seekers to prepare for life in a new country.

"It is really helpful as they know the help is there."

Mina has a personal connection to the plight of these refugees, after arriving in the UK from Iran in 2019.

She said: "I came by visa but my circumstances changed in September 2019 and I became a refugee.

"It was a long journey but I have always been working with other refugees and asylum seekers."

Now, in her new role, Mina is delighted to see that Carlisle College is looking for ways to support local migrant communities.

She said: "It is great to see the college wanting to help these people.

"There is a need for this role as many refugees and asylum seekers start their life by learning english and learning and developing their skills at the college."

In 2022, there has been an influx of refugees into local communities due to a variety of factors, with the most obvious being the war in Ukraine.

However, this vital work done by Mina will help these refugees and asylum seekers to start building their new lives in Carlisle and Cumbria.

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