STTEPS as a Superpower in Scotland!

Alex, Ali, Annaya, and Poppy reflect on the transformative power of peer-led education, and how STTEPS is being absorbed into a broader vision under Education Beyond Borders to better support displaced young people.

Refugee Week - STTEPS

The launch of STTEPS

STTEPS (Syrian Teenagers Tutoring and Education Programme) was launched in 2017 to support Syrian teenagers arriving under the UK’s Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme. Set up by the University of Edinburgh Chaplaincy, with input from Syrian community members like Amer Masri and Nadin Akta it offers weekly tutoring sessions for English, homework support, and integration into Scottish schools.  

Working with Education Beyond Borders

In 2025, STTEPS teamed up with Education Beyond Borders (EBB) in Edinburgh Global - the team at the University responsible for ensuring access to education for displaced scholars.  

After years of supporting Syrian teens through peer tutoring, this partnership means STTEPS can grow in a more sustainable way. Working with EBB allows STTEPS to improve how it supports both students and volunteers like putting safeguards like PVG checks in place and keeping better track of progress. It will also help to build a stronger foundation to help refugee teens with not only school, but with higher education, career guidance and mentoring, creating a community of support and building confidence in futures.

Looking ahead 

Looking forward, the team hopes more people will get involved — whether that’s volunteering, sharing resources, or simply spreading the word. For anyone thinking about volunteering, the advice is simple: it’s a great way to meet inspiring young people and make a real difference. 

What our tutors say:  

At the heart of STTEPS are relationships—between young people and student volunteers—built on mutual trust, shared learning, and everyday moments of connection. While the programme supports refugee teens academically and socially, it also offers volunteers the chance to listen, learn, and grow alongside them. 

For Fawwaz Almulki, volunteering deepened his understanding of others—and of himself:

I became more patient, which is something I’d been trying to work on,” he reflects. “And I learned so much about Syrian and Kurdish culture.” What he values most, though, is the sense of belonging that STTEPS creates. “Words can’t fully express how I feel. I truly hope it lasts longer so everyone can experience this same sense of connection—mentally and physically. It helps teens not just with their schoolwork, but with their mental health too.

Fawwaz Almulki

Krishi approached her sessions as conversations—talking openly about her own learning and encouraging students to reflect on what they enjoy, what challenges them, and how they learn best:

Over time, I see a definite growth in how they interact,” she says. “They become more confident, they ask more questions, and they’re not afraid to make mistakes.” Working across cultures gave her insight into her own values and aspirations, too. “It was amazing to hear about their journeys—how they settle into a new country, how they carry their stories with so much resilience and motivation. They’re just a great group of kids.

Krishi

For Jorge Jaramillo, volunteering at STTEPS affirmed that “I want to keep tutoring, even after I finish my studies and can’t be here in person.” His time with the programme showed him how empathy—thinking back to what he would have needed as a teen—can be a powerful tool in creating safe, encouraging spaces for others. He sums it up simply: “My little help to make a better world.” 

One anonymous volunteer shared how their way of connecting was through play. “Football,” they said, was how they built trust—breaking the ice, sharing laughter, and creating space for genuine connection. They recalled the excitement of hearing that a student had done well on a test they’d studied for the week before. “It was awesome to see how they cared.” Their motivation? “Caring, community, fun.” 

Each volunteer brings something different—but what unites them is a commitment to showing up, listening, and learning. STTEPS isn’t just about tutoring. It’s about growing together, across cultures and experiences, in a space where everyone belongs. 

Discover more  

See the Link tree in our bio for our Starter Pack, Sign-up Sheet and WhatsApp group. 

*This story is part of our 2025 Refugee Week series celebrating the resilience, creativity, and contributions of displaced people within the University of Edinburgh community.*

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