A guest post by Alice Owen, British Red Cross.

20-26 June saw a host of fun-filled activities celebrating the positive contribution that refugees make to the UK and encouraging better understanding between communities through the arts.

The British Red Cross works with Counterpoints Arts and other leading agencies to help deliver refugee week across the UK. We are the biggest provider of support to refugees in the UK, working with more than 13,000 people every year, in 60 towns and cities across the UK. From our experience we know what difference a warm welcome makes to those who have fled conflict and persecution.

As the refugee crisis across Europe continues, this annual celebration provides an opportunity for people up and down the country to show they stand in solidarity with refugees.

Here are some of our Refugee Week highlights

The magician Dynamo brought a bit of magic to our refugee services in Liverpool.

‘Smiling is the best way to say welcome!’ Young people at our London refugee and befriend groups produced a stop motion animation based on their experiences of welcome.

The Long Road – our new concept album based on the stories of refugees – was showcased at the Southbank Centre this Refugee Week. Elbow’s Guy Garvey capped off a brilliant day by singing his track The Blanket of Night – a song covered by Robert Plant on the record.

Find out more about The Long Road http://www.thelongroad.uk/

On World Refugee Day members of Plymouth Hope FC – a refugee football team supported by the British Red Cross – travelled to Arsenal Football Club to play against teams supported by The Arsenal Foundation and Freedom from Torture.