In response to the current crisis, Leeds Beckett University have formed an Asylum Seeker and Refugee Interest Group, consisting of university and students union staff who wish to do more to support asylum seekers and refugees in the city.

The group was convened with a recognition that there needed to be more effective communication and coordination of
activities in support of asylum seekers and refugees across the university, a platform for developing a more meaningful offer from the university and a better mechanism for the university to complement the array of valuable work being delivered within the city.

In the space of a few months group members have delivered a series of pledge days in which staff and students can commit support, organised basic English classes for asylum seekers and refugees and developed a number of papers lobbying for greater institutional support.

The group have also developed links with the other Leeds Universities and are discussing opportunities to coordinate across institutions.