Those of us who haven’t had the experience ourselves will probably never fully understand what it is like to be a refugee.

At the same time, we all know what it’s like to be new somewhere, miss loved ones, feel alone or be welcomed.

Movement is part of our shared human experience, and remembering this can help us connect with the journeys of people seeking safety, as well as being a starting point for those who are new to this conversation.

This Simple Act can go in many different directions, so be as creative as you like!

You might begin a conversation at with a friend, family member or colleague, or weave this Simple Act into the programme of your Refugee Week event or activity.

We’ve created a ‘conversation menu’ with some ideas to help you get started:

• What have you missed most this year?
• What small acts of kindness have made a difference?
• If you had to leave your home in a hurry, what would you take with you?
• What makes somewhere feel like home?
• Think about a time you were new somewhere. What was it like, and what made you feel welcome?
• Think about a community you are part of – this could be your neighbourhood, workplace, school, faith community, or somewhere else. If you could create it again from scratch, what would it look like? How would people welcome and support each other?

Whether you’re having a one-to-one conversation or facilitating a group discussion, don’t forget to be sensitive to others’ experiences and respect their boundaries about what they want to share.

Let us know what you’re planning and how it goes by sharing on social media using #SimpleActs and #HaveaChat.

If your social media post includes images or names of other people, make sure you get permission first, including from parents/ guardians of anyone under 18.

Have a Chat is one of eight Simple Acts you can do for Refugee Week 2021. To view them all, visit the Simple Acts page.