New City College students find their Sense of Belonging

New City College is extremely proud of a group of ESOL students, aged from 16 to 18 years, who currently have their artwork displayed six metres high at a London landmark.

The students, who are studying or have studied various ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses at NCC Hackney campus, took part in the Sense of Belonging project that aims to open up conversations and share personal stories about home and migration from people living in the local area.

The project, run by arts charity Autograph and youth media organisation Mouth that Roars, enabled the students to work with artists and filmmakers through a series of workshops, training and creative opportunities.

The filmmakers and artists provided inspiration to allow the students, who are all from refugee and migrant backgrounds, to start talking about important topics in their neighbourhoods and learn new ways to share experiences that raise awareness and reflect on issues of identity and belonging in Hackney.

The artworks will be featured online, on social media, and on the digital billboard at the Old Street junction roundabout until 28 February.

The achievement follows last year’s project where ESOL students from New City College created artwork based on the theme #HackneyisHome.

An event to celebrate the work of current students and last year’s students is being held at the Autograph Gallery, Rivington Place, on 2 March.