Here are some examples of the many diverse community events that have taken place throughout the UK
1) Location: Fulham
Venue: Lillie Road Park
Title of Event: Refugee Week Football Tournament
Summary: A five a-side football tournament was held between local business teams and refugee community teams, followed by an award ceremony and multicultural food and music.
2) Location: Leicester
Venue: ek Maya restaurant
Title of Event: Café Asylum
Summary: An opportunity for the community to talk, share and eat. A day of speed-talking around tables about issues of concern – mental health, women, destitution, the use of art forms to get the messages across and break down barriers.
3) Location: Exeter
Venue: Friends Meeting House
Title of Event: Multi-faith celebration
Summary: An evening of multi-faith celebration with readings from various faith groups based in Exeter. The evening also included world music from the songlines choir and attendees were encouraged to bring food to share.
4) Location: Peterborough
Venue: Central Park
Title of Event: Celebrating Sanctuary
Summary: This day long festival provided the opportunity for members of the public, local community groups, agencies and refugee community organisations to come together and celebrate the contribution by refugees to the culture and economy of the city. The event also provided a platform for local refugee and non refugee performers, artists and musicians to perform.
5) Location: Bristol
Venue: Young Bristol
Title of Event: Young Bristol Fun Day
Summary: A fun day was organised for asylum seeking and refugee students in Bristol to spend some fun, quality time with their families, as they tried their skills at kayaking and mountain biking, as well as the chance to have a go in a sailing boat. There was also free, professional support offered on a number of everyday issues, such as form filling and benefits advice. The general public were also invited along to the event.
6) Location: Halifax
Venue: St. Augustine’s
Title of Event: Cafe Wednesday – Refugee Week Special Menu
Summary: A church cafe produced a special menu of delicious food from around the world to celebrate Refugee Week. A percentage of the cost of each meal was donated to a charity.
7) Location: Woolwich
Venue: Royal Arsenal
Title of Event: Empower All Festival
Summary: The event began with a vibrant procession through Woolwich to gain publicity and attention and ending at the festival space. The festival itself included live debate, music, theatre and dance performances, and also outdoor sports events, storytelling, film screenings, workshops and information stalls.
8) Location: Glasgow
Venue: County Park
Title of Event: Back to Green BBQ
Summary: Members of a refugee community in Glasgow each invited their neighbours to attend a barbeque together in a local park, creating an opportunity for refugees and members of the host community to share food from each others cultures whilst getting to know each other.
9) Location: Bedford
Venue: Bedford Central Library
Title of Event: Story time with Paddington
Summary: The library held various displays throughout the week of refugee poems & World Music as well as highlighting services available for refugees. For children a special story telling session was held with tales of the loveable Paddington Bear, who was a refugee from Peru.
10) Location: Exeter
Venue: Civic Centre Foyer
Title of Event: Devon Schools Poster Competition
Summary: Primary and secondary schools around Devon participated in a regional Refugee Week Poster Competition, to promote the week. The submitted artwork was displayed at the in Exeter Civic Centre Foyer.