Please find a curated selection of resources to teach students about refugee/asylum issues – there are a wide range of excellent resources already available and there is no need to recreate the wheel. Consider using these in tutor groups, personal development lessons or elsewhere to raise awareness and build empathy towards those who have been forced to flee.

When teaching about forced migration, whilst we think it is important to clarify key terminology and facts and figures to challenge misinformation, it is important to centre the voices and stories of people who have sought sanctuary to build empathy and encourage a understanding of them as individuals and people. Equally, whilst it is important to understand why people have been forced to flee and the journeys they take, we should also seek to raise awareness about their realities and experiences in the UK to challenge common misconceptions and build empathy around the challenges they face here.

Ideally, we want to see how learning about these themes has guided your community to take action and do meaningful acts to create a culture of welcome.

Before teaching about forced migration, make sure to identify any students or staff who may be triggered by these learning activities. We advise quietly giving them notice that you will be talking about these themes, explain why and give them the opportunity to not attend or leave if they prefer. Do not expect them to share their own stories but give space if they wish to do so and acknowledge their contributions emphasising how happy you are that they are with you / in your college today.

Suggested Teaching Resources

• Amnesty International – Further Education Refugee Rights Resource (A plan and associated resources to teach about the UK’s immigration context.
• The UNHCR – Teaching Materials (A selection of lesson plans, videos, worksheets and other resources to look at key terminology and facts and figures with students).
• The British Red Cross – Teaching Materials (Lesson plans and associated resources on a range of themes around migration and forced displacement).
• The Migration Museum – Teaching Materials (Teaching resources about varied and unique topics related to migration)
• City of Sanctuary UK – Start having well-informed conversations about asylum (A helpful blog breaking down common misconceptions)

The Stories of People Seeking Sanctuary

• Refugee Action – Refugee Voices (A series of blogs sharing the stories of people who have sought sanctuary in the UK)
• BBC Teach – Refuge Animations (A BAFTA award winning series of animations sharing the real-life stories of children who have sought sanctuary in the UK)
• ‘Matar’ by Hassan Akaad (A moving short film showing the story of a person in the asylum system in the UK, developed and directed by someone with lived experience. Watch the full film for free on Waterbear.

Other Opportunities

• The British Red Cross – Empathy+ Migration Workshops (Book a free workshop to help students develop empathy for migrants’ moving motives and explore the experience of migration)
• The Migration Museum – Visits and Workshops (Visit the Migration Museum in London or book a workshop to look at migration in depth)