Latest News and Events
30 Jan 2025
Souad representing Refugee Support Devon at Exeter College Awards!
On 17th January, the Exeter College Awards took place, celebrating the college’s 55-year lifespan and the achievements of its students.
The evening was in Exeter Cathedral where the students and people of Exeter were brought together in a celebratory evening.
Souad, our resettlement Coordinator, was invited to present a very special award to one of Exeter’s students.
Hasina Rahmani won the award for English For Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Student of the Year. Hasina arrived to Devon in 2021 as part of the Nowzad evacuation of Afghanistan.
Hasina’s award was in recognition of her tireless efforts to achieve ESOL Level 2 and pass GCSE Maths. She now works in the city centre, supporting her family, and has aspirations of going to University.
Hasina spoke to Exeter College and said this:
“I am really proud of how hard I have worked, and this award proves how much time I have dedicated to studying.”
“My professional cookery course wouldn’t be possible if I hadn’t studied ESOL. I have learned so much which has given me knowledge and confidence to study something I am passionate about.”
Souad spoke about Hasina and the awards evening:
“This was the second time they requested us at Refugee Support Devon to be represented at the awards. This one was the 55-year anniversary award evening, which was a special one. It was in Exeter Cathedral and I met lots of other fantastic organisations including the city council, the Chancellor of Exeter University, Sir Michael Barber KC, and he was really nice to us on stage.”
“I have known Hasina when we started supporting her and her family in 2021, and from then I have seen how hard she works.”
“She is doing really well with her English and she had a job from her first year in the UK.”
Souad went on to explain our close relationship with Exeter College:
“We have a really good partnership with Exeter College because they appreciate the amount of work we do with clients to support them, both towards their college work and anything in relation to their needs.”
“I feel so happy that Exeter College appreciate what we do for our clients, with [the Chancellor] acknowledging our work.”
“It was really special for Hasina and her family, and it was lovely to talk to her teacher and the head of the faculty. We talked about the future and further cooperation!”
We are all immensely proud of Hasina and her deserved recognition, and we are excited to see what her future holds! We are also so proud of Souad for the support she has provided and that she was asked to present the award.
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