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Some of our young people spoke with Robbie Meredith at the BBC about the challenges they've faced navigating the education system here.

We are so proud of Mona, Hossam, Hani, and Sara for their courage to speak out, not only for themselves, but for all young asylum seeker and refugees facing the same barriers.

Read more about our campaign for a targeted education programme in the Stranded Dreams report (link in bio via @anaka.education )

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We published ‘Stranded Dreams’, proposing equal access to education for young people over a year ago, and reminded the NI Executive in an open letter last month... and so far all we have seen are more cuts! Please support our young people who are bravely speaking up for their rights by following the link in bio to substack and reading about our 16+ Education Equality campaign!

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Young people in Anaka 16+ continue to be excluded from our broken education system.

After we published our Stranded Dreams report last year, the NI Executive released its first ever 'Refugee Integration Strategy' - a hollow document with no commitments, no action, no strategy.

Since then we have watched as more young people age out of compulsory education. Nothing has changed, and if anything education provision for asylum seekers and refugees has gotten worse. With news of Belfast MET cutting ESOL enrolments for 2026-2027, we ask decision-makers to invest in this integration they speak of.

While young refugees and asylum seekers are denied access to the same education opportunities as everyone else, they are pushed further to the margins of society, and we all lose out on the incredible things they could accomplish.

📎Read our interview with BBC's Robbie Meredith in the link in our bio, and read more about our campaign for equal access to education on @anaka.education link in bio.

*Names changed to retain anonymity

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Our 16+ group had an amazing evening exploring the colourful world of @beatcarnival 🎊🥁🎋

We had a chance to venture into their warehouse of parade floats, made some noise with @beatndrum samba band, and began workshopping some ideas for our very own 16+ banner! Thank you so much to the Beat family for having us along ❤️ #theartsareforeveryone

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Thanks so much to @grow.ni for sharing their beautiful Waterworks garden space with the Kind Economy yesterday for our first garden drop-in! 🌱

The rain held off and it was a great chance for people across the Kind Economy networks to come together, spend some time outdoors, and see how we can support the work that GROW are doing in the garden ☀️💛

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This Tuesday, the 16+ group had an amazing session with Friends of the Earth in the Grow community garden! 🪴making organic skincare products with leasha was loads of fun and our young people loved it🫶 @grafiantaherbal @grow.ni

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🏕️ 6–8 July | Three days in nature, community and connection 🌿

Our Anaka 16+ group left the city behind for three unforgettable days at Willow & Lore, joining our friends from Friends of the Earth Derry and Friends of the Earth Armagh. We were warmly welcomed by Declan’s family into a place that quickly felt like home.
Different organisations, one shared heartbeat: a love for the earth we’re working to protect and a belief in communities built on solidarity, not hatred or division.
Over three days we:
🌾 Learned about farming life in Northern Ireland, from caring for cattle to discovering how flax is grown, harvested and transformed.
⛺ Built our own tents and learned practical outdoor skills.
👕 Dyed our own t-shirts using natural colours with the incredible Leasha. Each one was as unique as the person who made it.
🍲 Cooked, shared meals and lived together, away from the noise of the city.
🔥 Gathered around the campfire with chai, listening to stories from experienced campaigners whose journeys reminded us that caring for people and the planet is a shared responsibility across generations.
🗣️ Took part in a focus group with Politics in Action, reflecting on the programme and helping shape what comes next.
Before heading home, we gathered beside the donkeys (the real stars of the trip 🫏❤️) to reflect on everything we had learned, the friendships we had built, and the memories we were taking home.
A huge thank you to @glornamona and Fat and Wild for providing the camping equipment, to Friends of the Earth Derry and Friends of the Earth Armagh for creating such an inspiring programme, and to Declan and his family for opening their home and making us feel so welcome.
Three days of learning, laughter, nature, friendship and belonging. Here’s to protecting our environment, standing together, and building stronger communities. 🌍💚

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🏔️ Divis & Black Mountain (Dúbhais agus Sliabh Dubh) 🏔️

Yesterday our Anaka 16+ group headed into the Belfast Hills for a day of walking, learning and amazing views 🌿

We started the morning at Anam – Caifé na Carraige, enjoying a warm welcome before heading out with our friends at Glór na Móna to begin our journey through Divis and Black Mountain.

Along the way, we learned about the history of Divis and Black Mountain and heard about the efforts of local communities and campaigners, including Terry Enright, who worked hard to protect these hills and preserve this beautiful landscape for future generations. We also learned about the ongoing work to protect local wildlife and restore the natural environment. 🌳

One particularly special moment was spotting the large solidarity message created by our friends at Glór na Móna on Black Mountain in support of Anaka following the recent racist attacks. Seeing it from across the hills was a powerful reminder of the solidarity and friendship that surrounds our community. 💚

As we made our way across the mountain, we enjoyed incredible scenery and reached one of the highest points overlooking Belfast — with views that made every step worth it. 🌆✨

A brilliant day full of nature, history, friendship and fresh air. Thank you to Glór na Móna for sharing their knowledge, their stories, and their continued solidarity. 💚

Go raibh míle maith agaibh, a chairde ag Glór na Móna, as bhur gcuid eolais, bhur scéalta agus bhur ndlúthpháirtíocht leanúnach. 💚

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Today the young people from our 16+ group visited Stormont for an incredible day of learning! 🏛️✨

We discovered how the building is maintained and admired its striking symmetrical architecture, a real testament to the craftsmanship behind it. We visited the two chambers used by the different parties, learning about their history and the meaning behind specific design choices — including the beautiful use of linen throughout, a nod to Belfast’s history as the world’s leading linen manufacturer! 🧵

We also got a fascinating insight into how decisions are made, taking part in a mock vote to see the process up close. We walked through the Aye chamber and saw exactly how votes are registered, giving our young people a real understanding of democracy in action.

A brilliant day of history, architecture, and hands-on learning about how decisions that shape our communities are made! 🗳️💙

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Earlier this week, we were thrilled to host the Refugee & Asylum Forum Gathering 2026! Around 100 attendees from across Northern Ireland’s refugee-support sector participated. With special thanks to those who collaborated with us to present, hold workshops and provide delicious food for our members on the day, enabling us to create a space to connect, be inspired and to celebrate our work amidst adversity.

Swipe to see the fantastic speakers and artists who made the day one to remember!

Click the link in our bio to read more on our webpage!

As it was a day of celebration, we felt it apt to dedicate the Gathering to the memory of our dearly-missed colleague, Ronald (Ronnie) Vellem.

We were honoured to be joined by our first key note speaker, UNHCR’s Representative to the UK, Vicky Tennant. Vicky spoke to the importance of the community and voluntary sector in the context of global displacement in supporting refugees, protecting human rights and fostering international solidarity.

Dr Pinar Aksu was our second key note speaker. Human rights campaigner, theatre maker and researcher: Pinar’s expertise and on the ground campaigns work offers a multi-disciplinary lens to understanding the rise of racist hate and bigotry, as well as hostile immigration policy, and building movements for change.

We facilitated a panel discussion with community leaders Areeg Farah, Abhinov Shyju, Fatima Sarwari and Sarah Freeman. Each panellist spoke powerfully about their work and advocacy following racist rioting, and how the community sector to come together to challenge racism and hold leadership to account.

We were mesmerised by Salwa and Muhammed’s introduction to the beauty and history of Arabic calligraphy. Participants were treated to a demonstration of Arabic lettering and treated to wonderful handmade souvenirs depicting Refugee Week’s theme of ‘Wear Our Courage’ and other messages of solidarity, freedom and justice.

We had so much fun with Naim Omar Almadi from Anaka’s 16+ Education Equality project, who showed us how to perform traditional Palestinian Dabke. Thank you so much, Naim, for your energy and enthusiasm - we promise to keep practicing our steps!

We were

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Forgot icebreakers- just skate on the ice 🧊⛸️!
What a way to kickstart our junior 16+ group. Today we had an amazing time ice skating with 20 young people — lots of laughs, new friendships, a few wobbly moments 😄, and plenty of “try again” moments!
We wanted this trip to be a fresh start for everyone because we know how scary it can feel joining a new group where people already know each other. It was lovely seeing everyone connecting, supporting each other, and welcoming new members from Ubuntu Hub, Barnardo’s and Belfast Met ❤️
Thank you all for making today so special — we can’t wait for what’s next!

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