AWARD WINNER 2023-24: Irfa is granted an Award for her warmth and compassion, and engaging teaching style, as a Tutor at Heathrow IRC, opening new opportunities for future employment to her students, and improving their mental health and wellbeing at the same time; making her classroom, “a room full of hope”.
[Irfa also receives the Keith Bromley Award for Education & Skills Training.]

Irfa’s nomination

Initial Recommendation

Irfa was initially recommended by: Tim King (Regimes, Learning Skills and Safer Community, Heathrow IRC).

Irfa has been at Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre since 1st September 2014.

Her role as a Tutor is to provide residents with purposeful activity during what is frequently a time of uncertainty in their lives. Many residents detained do not know the next step in their life, in that there is no defined end date to their detention; the outcome of their detention is often not decided until days before their release, be that removal from the UK or release back into the community.

Despite this, Irfa continues to fill her classroom on a regular basis, encouraging residents to participate in floristry and sugar craft both of which could be considered non-traditional activities. She encourages residents to share their work with loved ones, relatives and other persons close to them which helps them maintain contact at a time when they can either voluntarily or involuntarily withdraw from this type of contact – and by helping to maintain this contact, have a positive effect on their mental health well-being.

Over the years Irfa has developed from being an add on in the Art room to now designing and running accredited courses in a designated hospitality room. These include cake decorating, sugar craft, floristry and her latest venture, balloon craft.

In a male environment you would not expect the room to be so popular; however, it is always full and described as “the best place in the centre”, “a light in a dark place” and “a room full of hope.” I have never known Irfa rebut any resident and she takes great pride in providing time and understanding when dealing with all residents, and is passionate about teaching them not only the skills used in her classes but also in having a better understanding of themselves and their problems.

Because of this there are occasions when Irfa can alert staff when she has concerns over a resident as they communicate with her on a more open basis and discuss problems they may not feel able to with other staff members. Irfa regularly receives complimentary comments from both residents and other stakeholders and senior dignitaries from across the Home Office, government and foreign ambassadors, based not only around the services she provides but her positive interactions and the effect it has on their wellbeing.

Irfa’s work and skills taught have given many residents opportunities to be able to set up their own businesses when they are returned home, and we have received positive stories of exactly this happening. On top of this each year Irfa encourages her students to enter the Koestler awards and again many have had their work recognised with top awards. HMIP also recognised her calm and positive attitude and teaching skills in a challenging environment.

With all the above said there is no doubt that her students, the stakeholders at the centre and her work colleagues would all fully support this deserving nomination.

Testimonials (from Heathrow IRC)

Irfa’s nomination included the following testimonials:

The floristry room is always brimming with eager residents, this is done through structured courses which also includes completing the theory of each subject she teaches. But the most significant of enhancements and benefits has been evidenced in the welfare and wellness of our residents who regularly attend the classes.
Line Manager – Afzal Magre

Please pass on our thanks to Irfa. She is a credit to Mitie and very much appreciated by the Home Office team.
Zuhra – Home Office Compliance

Irfa possesses several qualities that contributes to her effectiveness in teaching floristry at this centre. She teaches with patience and care. Her patience is second to none and she always gives individual attention and encouragement. She appreciates learners make mistakes and learn from them. She encourages creativity amongst her students. Her focus is always that one should think outside the box. She pushes her students to appreciate the beauty of nature in its own distinctive way. Overall, a floristry teacher that possesses a blend of expertise, passion, communication skills, patience, creativity, adaptability, continuous learning, mentorship abilities, organisational skills, and a genuine love for teaching.
Mahadeen – Colleague

Additional information (from Heathrow IRC)

Heathrow IRC provided the following additional testimony in support of Irfa’s nomination:

Hospitality Room Feedback from the residents’ comments book:

• “This place is pretty beautiful and amazing”
• “When this room is not open residents get lost and start having negative thoughts again, we need it open as much as possible to improve mental health”
• “I see a psychiatrist for my mental health issues such as anxiety. Coming to this class and talking with Irfa helps me stay calm, they have advised me to see Irfa more as it’s really helping me”
• “In the hospitality rooms its good for learning our own job that we can do in the future; I always have a great day in the room with Irfa”
• “Wow the teacher is fantastic, Miss Irfa she is a good teacher. She always makes things simple and standout even under pressure”
• “I am loving the level two course. It is very interesting, and the tutor Miss Irfa is amazing”
• “I couldn’t ask for a better teacher she has outdone herself. I am so proud of my designs and display it. This is all thanks to the tutor. I hope to become fully qualified when I get out”
• “I really enjoyed the course Irfa has a real talent for teaching and always has a great sense of humour”
• “I am very happy today because I make one flowerpot myself and she helped me so much to do this why I so happy”
• “I have a great time the teacher Irfa teach me how to make flowers I give her 10 points for that”
• “Irfa is so patient and understanding with us all”
• “The teacher was fantastic she made the learning inspiring”
• “One of the best places in the whole centre. Always cheerful and full of hope”
• “It was a big surprise for me to be able to make such a beautiful cake. I never knew I had it in me. With Irfa’s help and patience I feel I can achieve anything”
• “I have had a great time in this class and best of all on top of the learning is the conversations with the tutor”

 Sign off

The nomination was signed off by the Director, Paul Rennie.

Irfa has been a critical member of the regimes team at Heathrow IRC for 9 years. At the centre we welcome a high level of international visitors and government officials. Irfa’s area is the one that most stop and spend more time in than any other. This is not only due to the colourful environment, but that it is the most popular activity for residents despite this arguably not being the area you would think would be of interest to male residents.

Irfa has a real appetite, not only for her craft but for the support and consideration for our residents and what they are going through. We have seen countless residents with a range of issues both psychological and behavioural who have really settled down and transformed due to Irfa’s input.

Irfa and her charges creations normally adorn entrances to the centre, this brings a smile to everyone’s face and assists with the mental health of all who live and work in the centre. Irfa can also be found undertaking a great deal of preparation work outside her normal working hours e.g. purchasing flowers and ingredients for floristry and sugar craft.

Work from the workshop has also been successful in Koestler Awards, a true measure of the impact of her work. Equally she supports staff wellbeing with floral displays for special events as well as roses for staff on Valentine’s Day. All this effort really does make a difference to staff and residents alike.

Many of Irfa’s former students have left the centre and gone on to start their own businesses so not only is she providing training and guidance on the specific crafts, she provides preparation for business start-ups.

The space available on these forms could not do justice to the high regard Irfa is held in by residents, colleagues and stakeholders at Heathrow IRC. I cannot recommend her enough.