A selection of the in activities for children and young people taking place online and in person for Refugee Week 2021. For full listings, visit the Events Calendar.
The Refugee Week 2021 Children & Young People’s Pack also has films, books, creative activities and learning packs for all key stages.
Refugee Week Family Event: Michael Rosen and Sita Brahmachari, 9+
Counterpoints Arts and Schools of Sanctuary, supported by BookTrust
17 June, 4.30pm – 5.15pm
Online
Authors Michael Rosen and Sita Brahmachari share stories and poems inspired by people on the move at this special online Refugee Week family event, where they will be in conversation with Sanchita Basu De Sarkar.
Simple Acts
14-20 June and anytime!
Independent activity
Simple Acts are everyday actions we can all do to stand with refugees and grow our understanding of displacement. Children and young people are invited to take part by reading a book, watching a film, singing (or listening to!) a song or sharing a message of hope and welcome in a window at home or at school. The Simple Acts pages are full of ideas and resources to help you.
Time Travel Club workshops for children and young people
National Archives
14 June onwards
Online
Families can join National Archive’s Time Travel Club in two special online videos to learn about the experiences of child refugees in the past, including the arrival of thousands of Basque children, separated from their families, in the 1930s. The first film will allow children to explore treasures from The National Archives. In the second video they will meet artist, Rana Ibrahim, who will teach them how to make a collage.
Author workshops, 6-14
Pop Up Festival
14 & 18 June
Online
Free author workshops for schools with A.M. Dassu, author of Boy, Everywhere (ages 10-14, 14 June) and Sita Brahmachari and Jane Ray, author and illustrator of ‘Swallow’s Kiss’ (ages 6-9, 18
June).
Refugee Week in Croydon, 5+
14-20 June
In person
A fun packed week of activities to celebrate Refugee Week in Croydon will culminate in a festival of sport in Norbury Park. Includes football, dance, yoga, boxing, drumming and sailing.
Brighton and Hove libraries’ Refugee Week programme, babies-adults
14-20 June
Online
Flash fiction writing competition and a range of online activities for children including crafts, storytime and even a Baby Boogie Music and Rhymes session.
Refugee Week at St Helen’s Children’s Centres, 0-11
14-18 June
In Person
A week of activities: children aged 0-11 are invited to produce footprints and messages of support that will create a path around the Children’s Centre to illustrate the theme “We cannot walk alone”, and children 0-5 can join ‘We Cannot Walk Alone’ story time, ainteractive reading and play session.
Young People’s Art Competition
Refugee Action York
14-20 June
Online
Schools and young people’s groups from across York are taking part in what will no doubt be another display of talent and compassion from York’s youngsters. This year, the children are illustrating what they would give to a refugee, a reference to the Museum Without a Home. The children’s artwork will be available to view on the Refugee Action Website from 14 June.
‘When I Grow Up’ Screening + Q&A, 8+
Ciné Lumière and Institut français du Royaume-Uni, with Children of the Mekong
16 June, 2pm – 3.30pm
Online
On the banks of the Mekong, where access to education is a daily struggle, six children of different ages dream of a better future. Like the pieces of a puzzle, the paths taken by Prin, Myu Lat Awng, Phout, Pagna, Thookolo and Juliet fit together to tell the amazing story of When I Grow Up. Online screening followed by a live Q&A.
Putting The Flags Out for Coventry Welcomes, 8+
16-17 June
In person
Join a fun session for children and young people making decorative flag bunting and exploring different cultures. No booking necessary, just drop in. A session aimed at adults is taking place by Zoom on Wed 16 June which you can register for.
Featured image: ‘When I Grow Up’