#iWillWeek 2024: Celebrating our STAR leaders

#iWillWeek is an annual celebration of the incredible work young people are doing across the UK to improve their lives and communities through social action. This year’s theme is #StillWeRise- the determination and collective strength of young people across the UK, each rising in their own way to change. 

Young people across the UK continue to rise, making positive change everyday. This #iWillWeek, let’s celebrate the incredible young people who are making a real impact in their communities.

At STAR, we are a national network of students building a society where refugees and people seeking asylum are welcomed and can thrive. The past year we have had 38 groups across the country, led by 222 STAR leaders and engaging over 1900 members. Young people across our network volunteer, campaign, and work to change minds within their communities across the UK. STAR leaders campaigned on immigration detention, the right to work for people seeking asylum, safer routes to the UK to education to just give a few examples. 

Last year STAR leaders held over 250 events on campuses and in their community. They ran volunteering projects which supported over 1200 refugees, from english conversation clubs to sports clubs and bicycle repair projects. Reaching out from campuses across the country to work within their local community.  

Those seeking asylum in the UK face immense barriers to higher education. STAR is committed to Equal Access, shaped by the amazing work of our Equal Access activists who have experienced this barrier first hand. From student groups advocating for access to higher education on their campus to STAR National supporting university applicants through mentoring to expanding scholarships and platforming opportunities via the Displaced Student Opportunities portal, we are pushing for change. 

We are super proud of all our STAR Leaders and Equal Access Activists who are working to make real change in the lives of refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. They make a real difference every day and we want to celebrate them!