Lara Sayess
Lara is a Media and Communications undergraduate student. Her interest in education advocacy is shaped by her community service experiences and early exposure to education inequality affecting refugee communities. Lara is passionate about ethical and human-centred storytelling that amplifies local voices particularly those in emergency settings.
“When I began this project, I wanted to explore the barriers young migrants face when accessing education in the UK. Education is often viewed through the lens of schools and qualifications. In reporting this story, I realised that language is often the first step towards much more than learning. It shapes confidence, belonging and the ability to participate in everyday life. Hearing Saber and Fabiola describe their experiences reinforced the connection between access to education, feeling included in a new community and the role organisations play.
Throughout the editing process, I realised it wasn’t enough to just describe the problem. I needed to explore what was helping to address it while recognising the limitations of those solutions. Asking organisations about funding constraints and the challenges they face was initially difficult, but it strengthened the story by providing a more balanced picture. It also taught me that strong reporting is not just about telling compelling stories, but about asking the questions that reveal why change is difficult and what still needs to happen.
I hope readers come away with a greater understanding of the challenges many young migrants face beyond simply arriving in a new country. More importantly, I hope they recognise the value of organisations that provide language support, mentoring and a sense of belonging, and understand why continued investment in these services is essential to help young people build their futures.”