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BBC News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Wait to enter education 'frustrating' for teenage asylum seekers
Nineteen-year old Hani and 20-year-old Hossam both dream of running their own they face more hurdles than many other young people in fulfilling those is because Hani came to Northern Ireland as an asylum seeker from Kurdistan, like Hossam from a result, like other older teenagers who are asylum seekers, there is no automatic access to education and specialised support for them. Hani, Hossam and others have contributed to a report called Stranded Dreams, launched in Belfast City together by Anaka Women's Collective and the Participation and the Practice of Rights (PPR) organisation, it calls for a specialist education programme for those aged 16-24 who come to Northern Ireland as asylum seekers and refugees. 'When I came here, I lost myself' Hani came to Northern Ireland almost three years ago."The first thing that I asked for was education and study and school," she told BBC News NI."They told me at the age of 16 they cannot take me as a student."I was really disappointed," she Hani speaks very good English now, her initial lack of English meant that she was unable to enter a Further Education (FE) present it falls on some community organisations like Anaka Women's Collective to provide educational classes for older teenagers who are asylum was through Anaka that Hani learned English, but the wait to enter education was frustrating."Young people like us, we want to find ourselves, we want to find our future," Hani said."But when I came here, I lost myself."My steps in front of me, all of them were blurry."We're working on this so the next generation don't face the same challenges I did," she wants a specific programme for young people over 16 to be able to start to has hopes of a career in business and wants to take GCSEs, A-Levels and go to university. 'We need a certain level of English' Hossam, meanwhile, wants to combine a career in business with fashion design and also wants to attend has been out of education since arriving in Belfast as an asylum seeker with his twin brother Wyassum in January came to join their mother, who had come to Northern Ireland as a Sudan, the boys had finished secondary spoke to BBC News NI through a translator, but he desperately wants to learn English."We have been here for a year and a half so far, and we couldn't find any formal education," he told BBC News NI."We studied in Arabic in Sudan and we don't speak English, and we couldn't find a place to study English."Myself and my brother want to go to university, but for us to go to university we need a certain level of English." 'A need for targeted education' Some other parts of the UK have targeted education programmes for asylum seekers if they are over 16, teaching them English and other subjects England for instance, asylum seeking young people are entitled to free education until the end of the academic year in which they turn may be in school but it is more likely to be at their local FE college, especially if they have recently arrived in the Northern Ireland, the Education Minister Paul Givan has announced plans to make it compulsory for young people to stay in education or training until they are could mean education provision would also be provided for young asylum seekers and refugees up until the age of the Stranded Dreams report said there was a need for targeted education for them. Morgan Mattingly from Queen's University of Belfast (QUB), said there was "an intense need" for English language support especially."The statutory responsibility for education currently only exists until the end of the year you turn 16," she said."However, even before you turn 16 there's quite a few barriers that prevent young people from accessing education."When a young person is aged 16 they're turned away outright," she added."Even though they desperately want to be in school, they want to be learning, their options are very limited."Because they can't access education, they can't access higher education and then that has a knock on effect."There needs to be full-time programmes that are specific to these age groups."They have such knowledge and capacity already," she told BBC News NI, adding that English language support while they learn other core subjects is Stranded Dreams report calls for targeted support with English, and Maths, Science and other it calls for the Northern Ireland Executive to have a pilot project in place for the start of the 2026/27 academic year. 'Education is a priority' The Chief Executive of Refugee Education UK Catherine Gladwell said that for young refugees arriving in the UK "education is a priority.""While displaced children and young people have the right to access quality education, many who arrive in the UK late in the education system remain out of education for prolonged periods of time," she said."As the differences between England and Northern Ireland illustrate, there is currently no overarching strategy from the Government to address this issue.""But Refugee Education UK believes it can and should be addressed, benefiting both individual children and young people, and advancing cross party efforts to tackle inequality through educational attainment."A Department of Education spokesperson said that the department is "currently consulting on proposed legislation which will provide for all learners to participate in education, apprenticeship or training until age 18". "We are aware that there are particular cohorts of young people who require additional support including newcomer young people. Over the next few years, we will be working with policy leads across departments as we consider the implications of the legislation prior to and following its enactment."
BBC News
20-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Newcastle RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea
The recent tragedies in Buncrana and Sligo where three boys lost their lives, serves as a brutal reminder of the dangers of open year, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in Northern Ireland said it came to the aid of 469 people – 16 of those were deemed to have had their lives are 46 RNLI stations across Ireland, strategically sited along the coastline and on major inland waterways. Ten of those are in Northern year one of them, Newcastle, County Down, celebrates its 200th anniversary. Like the rest of the RNLI fleet, Newcastle's iconic Mersey Class vessel (the Leonard Kent) will be retired and replaced by the faster, but smaller, Atlantic 85 at the end of this 2024 alone the Newcastle boat launched 18 times – helping 26 people and saving three lives. For those rescued, it can be a life changing experience. In August 1998, William Irvine went fishing with three friends on the rocks at Maggie's Leap just outside one of the group slipped into the water off the steep rocks, William took off his jumper and tried to use it as a rope. "I tried to pull him in but I slipped on the fishing rods and fell in as well," he told BBC News NI."Then one of the others tried to bring me in by using one of the fishing rods but a wave took me out further and brought him in and the fourth one tried to climb up the rocks but he slipped and fell in."During the ordeal, William lost consciousness."The next thing I remember was waking up on the lifeboat." One of the rescue crew that day was Brendan Rooney, a full-time musician who is still on the lifeboat crew."When we went in the first time we got the first two lads onto the boat," he said. "By then the Mersey Class boat had arrived so we transferred them onto the Mersey. On the second, we went back in but the Skeg hit a submerged rock on the way in, but luckily we got over it."Throughout the years Brendan has been involved in dozens of rescues, adding: "Too many to remember".What the sea throws at lifeboat teams when they respond to a call is different every time but the process of getting there remains constant. After a 999 call comes in to the coast guard, the RNLI may be asked to launch a vessel. Daniel Curran is the man responsible in Newcastle for making those decisions."We assess the situation and then the coastguard goes ahead and sounds the pagers", he explained."We make our way to the station as quickly as we can and everyone slots into their roles. And that's not just those on the boat; there's also an enormous number of people working as shore crew." Caoimhe Connor got involved in rescue operations nearly a decade ago after witnessing a tragedy at a beach where she was now the at the helm of one of Newcastle's boats, a role that requires a cool head in challenging circumstances, often late at night."You're jumping out of bed, half asleep. Even before I leave the house it's important to calm yourself down. "You have to know that the adrenalin rush isn't a great thing. Then you get this sense of calmness because you know you have to focus on what it is you have to do." Behind the wheel of the Mersey Class in Dundrum Bay is Niall McMurray - as the crew take part in one of their weekly training sessions."We've launched into Dundrum Bay and we're practicing different recovery techniques – in this case man overboard," he 'man' is a life size and heavyweight mannequin who is unceremoniously dumped in the water and lost. The crew is tasked with finding him and bringing him to safety. On return, many of the team's 40-strong volunteers are on hand to lift the Mersey out of the sea and bring casualties to safety.A tractor-type machine on caterpillar wheels pulls the boat onto a large trailer on the shore, the vessel is washed down and taken back to the boathouse, ready for its next is a process that will change dramatically in the New Year with the retirement of the Mersey received its first Mersey [The Eleanor and Bryant Girling] in 1992. In 2022, the Laurence Kent arrived having previously served in Margate and place of these boats will be the open-topped Atlantic Rooney says the Mersey can do 19 knots but the Atlantic can hit 35."We hope to get the training boat soon so we're looking forward to getting it in place," he said. "It'll be different for us as we've never experienced it and it will benefit the area."
BBC News
05-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Portadown: Pupils excited for 'School of Sanctuary' bid
A County Armagh school is bidding to be the first outside Belfast or Londonderry to be named a School of Sanctuary.A School of Sanctuary is one which provides additional support to pupils, including refugees and others who need a place of is an official accreditation achieved by schools who meet a number of John the Baptist's College in Portadown has about 540 pupils, over 200 of whom are newcomers. A newcomer pupil is one who is often originally from outside the UK and does not initially speak the same language as their class News NI visited the school during a special multi-cultural day held for all pupils and their families. Eleven-year-old Connie was one of those taking part."We're trying different food and seeing what other cultures do for traditions," she told BBC News NI."I'm really, really excited," she added."It's good to see other people's traditions and cultures and what they do." Irish traditional music Twelve-year-old Ciara was playing banjo as part of group playing Irish traditional music alongside Irish dancers."I'm looking forward to it a lot because I play loads of music," she said."It's good to know about all the cultures, because there's so many different ones in our school." There were displays, stalls and food from countries like Kenya, Poland, East Timor, China and Portugal and many others, as well as dancing and African drumming from a number of primary schools in Portadown also visited for the day to take part. 'Some students are suffering loss, bereavement and trauma' Teacher Stacey Rodgers is co-ordinating St John the Baptist's College's bid to be a School of told BBC News NI that a number of pupils were refugees and that there were 23 different languages spoken in the school."We have pupils from East Timor, from Portugal, from Afghanistan, from Syria, from Indonesia," she said."We also have pupils from Kenya, Zimbabwe - we've just such a broad range of pupils." The school provides things like extra English lessons for pupils, and also support to their families to help them integrate into the mid-Ulster they also provide extra help for all pupils, whatever their background, in other ways."We would have students who are suffering loss, bereavement, trauma," Ms Rodgers also said a number of pupils were caring for family members, or in care themselves, and received extra support from staff."Sanctuary really is about creating a safe space, some place for anyone.""We also have a bank of funding that would help with school uniforms, day trips." The school has a special "nurture" area for pupils to receive targeted support outside the classroom which it has set up and funded also provides food hampers and vouchers for families from the area struggling with the cost of principal, Noella Murray, said holding a multi-cultural day for pupils and their families showed that the school "wanted to be as open and inclusive and welcoming as possible.""Because we have children from so many different backgrounds we want them to feel safe and happy," she said."When children are safe and happy they will learn." Families of pupils had contributed foods from around the world, and many pupils and staff wore national costume for the Murray said schools were often the "first stop" for families to settle in to the John the Baptist's College, for instance, has a welcome booklet with important information for families in a number of different in the school is also Rodgers said that achieving the status of a School of Sanctuary would mean a lot."Our school ethos aligns so closely with the school of sanctuary - of understanding, culture, welcome, celebration, safety, empathy," she school is due to find out at the end of May if it has been successful in its bid.
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Storm Éowyn: Mourne Wall repairs to cost £650k
Months after Storm Éowyn left a trail of destruction across Northern Ireland, NI Water has said it will cost approximately £650,000 to repair the damage it caused to the Mourne Wall.A recently completed survey to assess the damage found there were 63 individual collapses along the wall across six mountains in the Éowyn brought winds of more than 90mph when it hit on 24 January and left thousands without red warning storm also caused a nine-week closure of Silent Valley Reservoir in the Mournes due to the damage, with access to many walking trails still restricted by NI Water. The full extent of the damage to the 22-mile Mourne Wall by Storm Éowyn was found after a survey, which began on 24 February, was completed on Water, which is in ownership of the wall, said the survey was "time consuming" due to the nature of the task to inspect each section of the iconic was found that 700m of the Mourne Wall was damaged with 63 individual collapses across six mountains, including Slieve Donard – Northern Ireland's tallest 2023, NI Water announced a £2.5m investment for phase two of the Mourne Wall Restoration one was completed in 2018 and saw more than 600 repairs two involved repairs to on Slieve Muck and Rocky Mountain. Most damage to areas that were not restored However, NI Water confirmed that only one section repaired through the restoration project collapsed due to Storm Éowyn."The estimated cost for repairs will be approximately £650k," NI Water told BBC News NI."NI Water is now preparing a business case and repairs may be included in the 2025/2026 Capital Delivery Programme subject to funding approval."Fortunately, the majority of the damage was to areas that have not been updated under the Mournes Restoration Project scheme."There was one section of repaired wall that was damaged by the collapse of the original wall alongside it."The Mournes is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and also suffered from more than 140 wildfires last of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Andrew Muir described the wildfires as "rural arson". What is the Mourne Wall? The Mourne Wall is 22-miles long and was built from 1904 to as 'the handrail of the Mournes' as it helps guide hikers, it is made of natural granite stone using only traditional dry stone walling construction was overseen by the Belfast City and District Water Commissioners and was designed to keep livestock from contaminating water Mourne Wall is synonymous with the Mourne Mountains and is Northern Ireland's longest listed building. In March 2024, NI Water completed the second phase of essential repairs on the 100 year old wall through the Mourne Wall Restoration than 300 repairs were completed across 15 mountains during phase two of the project, bringing the total number of collapses fixed on the structure to over 900 since the project began in 2017.
BBC News
03-05-2025
- BBC News
Glenarm Tulip Festival: A 'wonderful way' to kick off the garden season
This bank holiday weekend, if you are taking a trip to Glenarm, you may be forgiven for thinking you are in the Netherlands rather than County Castle and Walled Gardens is awash with floral colour for its annual Tulip head gardener, Jordan McWhirter, told BBC News NI that the preparation for the festival starts in Autumn."We plan what our displays are going to be like, we get in touch with Bloms (supplier), we have different borders with certain colour schemes for each border. A hot border is all warm colours and different white borders," he said. This initial planning stage then allows for the logistics to be thought out."We can think, what are we needing quantity ways in bulbs, colour schemes and flowering times as well."We get our bulbs in around Christmas through to the first week of January and we will be planting right through the Christmas holidays," he it is a waiting game, watching for any flowers that are not "show quality." "It's a wonderful way to kick off our garden season. To have the garden awash with colour," Lady Antrim, who lives in the estate and oversees the garden, told BBC News NI."It seamlessly goes into our summer planting." Lady Antrim explained that she approached a 165-year-old company, which has a long-standing history and tradition in the world of horticulture, about 20 years ago."They're a wonderful Chelsea Flower Show award winning bulb company, I approached them because I know that they do other tulip festivals across the UK. I said that we would love to do something similar here, because it is a great way to quick of the season. All the great colour."There are not that many things that are flowering at this time of year," she added. Two decades of tulips The garden had just started to be open to the public around this time, Lady Antrim said: "At that moment they didn't have anything in Ireland, so they were keen to get involved."We have been building on it ever since. It has turned into a lovely weekend family festival."This year will also see a pre-show involved in the festival for people who want to come in "peace and quiet" and have a look around the garden. On the days of the festival there will be events for Antrim said there are at least 60 varieties this year"I think the team plants around 9,000 in total," she said it was a "really big job" over the winter months."You have to look out for the odd pest and we do lose a few along the way." What's the history of tulips? According to the National Trust, almost half of the 120 known tulip species are native to central thrive in extreme hot summers and harsh, cold winters. Tulips were a powerful emblem for nomadic people and a welcome sign of the 14th Century, wild tulips were being taken and planted in Ottoman palace gardens. It's likely that ambassadors and envoys from Western Europe first saw them in these no record of when the first tulip left Asia, but its scarcity and beauty led to a huge desire for tulips in 17th-Century Europe, particularly in France and most famously, the Netherlands.
