Thank you to everyone who made Refugee Week 2018 such an amazing celebration of everything refugees bring to the UK!

The festival may be over, but the movement for the rights of people seeking safety continues – and is more important than ever.

Whether it’s through joining a campaign, welcoming refugees in your community or embarking on a creative project, we hope you’ll feel inspired stay involved.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Support the campaign to reunite refugee families

After fleeing conflict and persecution, unfair rules are forcing people seeking sanctuary in the UK to make an impossible decision: family or safety? You can help change this by joining the #FamiliesTogether campaign, supported by several of our national partners, which is working to stop the separation of refugee families. Sign Amnesty International’s petition to ask the Home Secretary to change the rules keeping families apart, and keep up with the campaign at www.refugeestogether.co.uk.

2. Join the City of Sanctuary movement

Contact your local City of Sanctuary group to see how you can help welcome people seeking safety in your area. Schools, universities, arts organisations and health and maternity bodies can also work towards a Sanctuary Award – click here for more info.

3. Get involved at your university 

If you’re a student, joining Student Action for Refugees is a great way to support local refugee projects and get involved in campaigns to improve the lives of refugees. Get in touch with the STAR group at your university or college – or if doesn’t have one yet, why not set one up?

4. Take part in ‘Football Welcomes’

Football clubs/ community trusts, charities, student and school groups are invited to be part of Football Welcomes, a weekend of activities every April that celebrates the contribution refugees have made to the beautiful game. Visit the Amnesty International website for more information, and contact Naomi Westland if you’d like to get involved in Football Welcomes 2019.

5. Get creative  

If you’re an artist from a refugee or migrant background, or are involved in an arts project exploring themes of migration (or would like to start one), get in touch with the national Platforma Arts and Refugees Network at Counterpoints Arts for guidance, networking and learning-sharing opportunities. Email Platforma coordinator Tom Green at tom@counterpoints.org.uk.

6. Do a Simple Act  

The Simple Acts movement continues! Simple Acts are a great way to explore refugee experiences and stand up for refugee rights at your school, in your community or elsewhere, at any time of year. Visit the Simple Acts page to choose your act, and share online using #SimpleActs.

7. Take part in Refugee Week 2019  

We’d love to see you next year! Why not get involved in Refugee Week 2019 (17 – 23 June) by holding an event or activity exploring refugee experiences and celebrating the contributions of refugees? Refugee Week events come in all shapes and sizes and can be held anywhere! Preparations will kick off with the Refugee Week Conference in February – sign up to our mailing list for updates, or get in touch.