Barking & Dagenham College celebrate global heritage

Barking & Dagenham College marked the occasion with a lively event at its Rush Green campus, where students and staff celebrated cultures from across the world.

The event featured interactive displays, music, and hands-on activities representing every corner of the world in a colourful tribute to the college’s diverse community.

Everyone at the college came together for vibrant cultural day celebrations (Image: Barking and Dagenham College)

Jade Evans, Enrichment Team Lead, at Barking & Dagenham College, said: “Cultural Day was absolutely fantastic. Seeing students share their heritage with such pride and learning from one another with so much curiosity and respect was truly inspiring. Celebrating culture isn’t just about recognising our differences; it’s about strengthening our sense of community. Events like this remind us how important it is to create spaces where every student feels seen, valued and celebrated.”

The campus was divided into six cultural zones, each dedicated to a different continent—Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, North America, and South America. Each zone included maps, flags, and information about individual countries, allowing students to learn more about each other's backgrounds.

African bracelet-making proved especially popular, with students creating beaded jewellery inspired by traditional styles. Henna art stations offered intricate designs for those wanting to experience South Asian cultural expression.

A fun photo activity encouraged students to take pictures with peers from the same country or cultural background, helping spark new friendships and conversations.

Music from around the world filled the campus throughout the day, while students and staff were invited to pin their heritage on large scratch maps, visually capturing the diversity within the college community.

The event concluded with a lively conga line, with participants dressed in traditional attire and waving country flags as they celebrated together.

Barking & Dagenham College plans to continue expanding its cultural celebrations, recognising the importance of inclusion, representation and belonging in helping students thrive both personally and academically. More information about Barking & Dagenham College, its programmes, and upcoming events can be found at www.bdc.ac.uk.