Cambridge Regional College Welcomes Councillor Alex Bulat to Celebrate ESOL and Sanctuary Work

Cambridge Regional College (CRC) was proud to welcome Councillor Alex Bulat to its Huntingdon campus last week, where she met with adult ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students and staff to learn more about the college’s work as part of the national College of Sanctuary network.

Councillor Bulat, the first English county councillor of Romanian descent and a passionate advocate for migrants’ rights, visited the college to see first hand how CRC is fostering inclusion and social cohesion through its ESOL provision and wider support for sanctuary-seeking learners.

CRC was awarded College of Sanctuary status in 2024, recognising its commitment to creating a safe, welcoming and empowering environment for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants. The college’s ESOL programmes are a cornerstone of this work, helping learners build language skills, confidence, and community connections.

During the visit, Councillor Bulat engaged with students from diverse backgrounds, many of whom have overcome significant challenges to pursue education and rebuild their lives in the UK. She shared her own story of arriving in the UK with limited English and gradually building her language skills, academic credentials and civic engagement – culminating in her election to Cambridgeshire County Council in 2021.

Her journey deeply resonated with the students, many of whom expressed how inspired they felt hearing from someone who had walked a similar path and gone on to represent and champion migrant communities. The visit sparked meaningful conversations about identity, belonging and the power of education to transform lives.

Speaking about the visit, Jonathan Ingham, Head of Department for ESOL, International, Adult English and Maths, said:

“It was a pleasure to welcome Councillor Bulat to our Huntingdon campus. Her visit was a powerful reminder of the importance of education in building inclusive communities. At CRC, we believe that our ESOL provision is about much more than just grammar and vocabulary – it’s about giving people the tools to participate fully in society, to feel safe and to thrive.

“Councillor Bulat’s visit was inspiring for both staff and students. It reinforced the value of our work and the importance of continuing to advocate for accessible, inclusive education for all.

“We’re proud to be a College of Sanctuary and to play our part in transforming lives.”

Councillor Bulat said:

“I am proud that Cambridgeshire is a County of Sanctuary, working collaboratively with our partners, including CRC, to support new residents in our communities. 

“It’s always a pleasure to visit CRC and listen to staff and students. In my role as Migrant Champion of the council and someone with lived experience of migration, it is important for me to listen directly to the experiences of people accessing ESOL and ensure that their voices count in policy making.

“As Government is proposing to increase language requirements to settle in the UK, it is crucial for local councillors to speak about the need for our local authorities and colleges to be funded to continue and expand the great work they do in delivering ESOL in our colleges, in the community, as well as vocational ESOL.”

CRC continues to expand its ESOL provision across both Cambridge and Huntingdon campuses, offering fully funded courses and wraparound support to learners aged 16 and over. The college’s approach integrates cultural understanding, wellbeing, and progression pathways, ensuring that every student is supported to succeed.

For more information about Cambridge Regional College’s ESOL programmes and its work as a College of Sanctuary.

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