People from across Milton Keynes came together at Campbell Park to celebrate themes of culture, art and belonging at the annual all-day festival, Art in the Park. Organised by the charity Milton Keynes Islamic Arts and Culture (MKIAC), the event on Saturday 21st June focussed on the resilience of refugees and their artistry, celebrating Milton Keynes’ wealth of cultural diversity and artistic expression. 

Supported by MK College Group, Milton Keynes City Council and Arts Council England – including student volunteers from MK College – among others, the event took place at Campbell Park Events Plateau. Marking the end of the UN International Refugee Week, it focussed on the theme of “Belonging.”

The free, family-friendly day of celebrations featured a funfair, a series of local and international performances, a world food bazaar offering a culinary tour of the world, and an art marquee featuring tote bag decoration, calligraphy and Turkish marbling (Ebru) workshops. The celebrations culminated in a Parade of Colours – a vibrant procession through Milton Keynes, demonstrating unity and visual storytelling. 

Anouar Kassim, Founding Director of Milton Keynes Islamic Arts and Culture, said: “This year, as we reflect on the safe corridors created by the UN for refugee communities worldwide, we are reminded that hope is not just a word – it is a path walked together. Our ESOL students continue to inspire – they volunteer, grow, and gain real-world experience, all while feeling seen and safe. Their stories are woven into the fabric of Art in the Park – a celebration where creativity meets courage, and diversity becomes strength. 

“Together, we turn challenge into celebration, and difference into shared humanity. This year’s Art in the Park is not just an event — it’s a testament to what we can become, when we rise together.” 

Sally Alexander, CEO and Principal of Milton Keynes College Group, said: “Art in the Park gives us an excellent opportunity to get together and celebrate the diversity of Milton Keynes. To listen to stories about the resilience of refugees, to see their artistry, traditions and contributions given centre stage that evening was very special. 

“The theme of belonging particularly chimes with us at Milton Keynes College Group because this is one of our core values. Our ambition to foster a genuine sense of belonging for our learners, colleagues and wider communities is central to everything we do.” 

The next event in MKIAC’s programme is the City of Codes & Light on Saturday 4th August.

To learn more about the work that Milton Keynes College does in the community, visit Community – MK College.

20 Level 1 Painting & Decorating students from Milton Keynes College recently took part in a bench refurbishment project at MK University Hospital. 

The students were inspired to take on the refurbishment project after finding out about the opportunity during the College in the Community Day on 2nd April. Given the substantial workload of the project, it was agreed that the collaboration would take place as an end-of-term activity. The project was planned and supported by Adrian Bujorean, Course Team Leader for Construction at Milton Keynes College. 

For their project, the students refurbished a total of five wooden benches on the hospital grounds. Successfully sanding off old paint and applying three coats of exterior wood stain to protect and preserve the wood for outdoor use, the students transformed the benches while putting their learning to practice. 

For many of the students, this was the first time using oil-based paint and exterior varnish, making this a valuable hands-on learning experience beyond the classroom. With a mix of ability-levels, the students were keen to help one another and took pride in their work. While working, they received thanks from hospital staff and positive feedback from passers-by and patients. 

Kelly Errington, Community Fundraiser at Milton Keynes Hospital Charity, said: “I just wanted to say a huge thank you and well done to Adrian and the students – they all worked so hard during the hottest week of the year!  The benches look absolutely great and will make such a difference to the patients and their families who use the garden areas.” 

Issac, a Level 1 Painting & Decorating student who participated in the project, said: “Despite the hot weather, I really enjoyed the work experience and project being outside of college. I was able to improve my skills and had a great time working with my group throughout the week. I’m hoping for more work experiences like this in the future.” 

Jamie-Bradley, another participating Level 1 Painting & Decorating student, said: “I think it was a fun week where we did something good for people. It was also a good opportunity to experience working on something new.” 

Adrian Bujorean, Course Team Leader for Construction at Milton Keynes College, said: “After a fun, sunny week, our students have done a fantastic job bringing several old benches back to life – ready to serve for many more years to come. 

“I want to express my sincere appreciation to everyone involved: students, staff, and the Hospital Charity team. Your support, hard work, and positivity made this project truly special. I’m incredibly proud of the students for their effort, teamwork, and commitment.” 

To learn more about Painting & Decorating at Milton Keynes College, read more here.

More than 60 students from Milton Keynes College have been helping out at a local primary school as part of its annual day of community support across the city. 

The College’s Care Professions students ran a range of sessions at Moorland Primary School for children from nursery to Year 5, with a range of fun activities including Easter crafts, Easter baking, gardening and woodworking. The school’s Year 6 pupils didn’t miss out – they spent the day at MK College’s workshop, making bird boxes to be distributed by Woughton Community Council across the area, as well as hearing from the Parks Trust about the importance of protecting our local wildlife.  

Angela Garner, Head teacher at Moorland Primary School said, “All the students are so engaged and getting on so well with the children, and of course the children aren’t phased at all by having these strangers come in to interact with them.  They’re having so much fun getting all this attention, and it means they can be talking one-to-one which is something they don’t normally get.  They’re meeting all these fabulous role models, and they’re cooking, painting, woodwork and so on, all in a day, and it’s only possible because the students are here.  Students and staff are all getting so much from it.” 

Holly Gidman, Deputy Head of School for Care Professions at Milton Keynes College added, “We’ve got a lot of students who want to work in schools and it’s wonderful for them to come here to see what it’s like in a primary school.  They’ve really enjoyed being out in the fresh air with the children, learning to communicate with them and with the staff.  It’s such a fun day.” 

Childcare student, Amileigha, said, “The children are so full of energy and are on the go non-stop.  They all learn in different ways, and it’s been a great experience just spending some time with them.” 

MK College Group’s College in the Community Day has now been running for three years and aims to get learners and staff involved in community projects across the Milton Keynes area. This year, more than 1,100 staff and students took part in more than 50 projects, including: 

• Milton Keynes YMCA – catering and hospitality students hosted the charity’s monthly community lunch, while Hair, Beauty and Barbering learners provided free haircuts and manicures for residents. Students also raised more than £300 for YMCA through manicures at the College’s Graduate Salon and Business and Digital students holding a takeover at Volcano Falls 

• MK Act and MK Foodbank – staff and students donated over 350 items which were sorted and delivered by the College’s students and staff 

• Canal Society – a group of staff from the College supported with canal restoration activities 

• White Ribbon campaign – art learners worked with Community Action:MK to design artworks for display across Milton Keynes in support of the White Ribbon campaign to raise awareness of violence against women and girls. 

Chief Executive and Group Principal at MK College Group, Sally Alexander, said, “I look forward to our College in the Community Day every year, and this year didn’t disappoint. I visited lots of the projects and I’m very proud of how committed our colleagues and learners are to doing the best they can for charities and community groups. Some of the projects this year have continued or even expanded from last year, while others are brand new to us for 2025; it’s great to have such a diverse mix of projects.” 

“Our local communities are at the heart of our Fairer Futures strategy, so I’m very proud that the College helps those that make a huge difference to the people in our amazing city. Well done and thank you to everyone involved.”  

To find out more about the work the College Group does in our local communities, visit https://mkcollege.ac.uk/community/working-with-the-community/