Refugee Week 2025

A global movement, Refugee Week is an annual festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees. The week aims to bring people together providing a platform for voices, perspectives and creative work, allowing a deeper understanding of refugee experiences.

This year’s theme is Community as a Superpower, reinforcing the idea that welcoming communities have the power to transform lives and reshape the narrative around migration through collaboration, generosity, and shared action. Together we celebrate the strength found in unity and the role we all play in building a more inclusive society.

Everyone is invited to spend time with friends and build new connections in and beyond neighbourhoods with a wide range of FREE activities available throughout the week. From film screenings to 5K runs and music making, lets share the feelings of welcome and belonging.

 

Community Programme

Friday 13 June

• SWVG Schools Project: Art and Writing exhibition - Southampton Central Library, 9.00am to 4.00pm everyday throughout refugee week.

Tuesday 17 June

• SUSU Palestine Solidarity Network - Refugee Week vigil, Southampton University Highfield Campus, 11:30am to 12.30pm.
• World Stages Now presents their new theatre performance ‘POWER AS UNITY’ - Central Library, 1.00pm.

Thursday 19 June

• Southampton FC & Refugees 5k - St Mary’s Stadium, 4.00pm to 5.30pm. To join in the fun please email, David Warnes dwarnes@saintsfoundation.co.uk
• MAST Mayflower Studios film screenings on the compelling theme of New Beginnings + Q&A, 7.00pm

Friday 20 June

• Big Sing – Harmonies of Home: A Community Song Bank Project singing workshop - Turner Sims Concert Hall, 12.00pm to 1.00pm,
• World Refugee Day

Saturday 21 June

• Schools Artwork, Dancing and Music display - West Quay entrance, 11.30am
• Carnival Parade - Above Bar to Palmerston Park, 12:30pm
• Palmerston Park Picnic - celebrate and share our local communities’ cultures, with free entertainment, music, family games, dancing and food stalls, 1.00pm to 5.00pm.

Further details on all these activities and how to get involved can be found here.

 

Education Programme

As a University of Sanctuary, we support those seeking refugee protection in accessing higher education, and provide opportunities for our academic and professional services staff to access training covering the underpinning themes and terminology to help young refugees and those seeking asylum.

Wednesday 18 June

• Refugee Education Conference - for colleagues from or supporting schools, colleges and universities, University of Winchester (West Downs Quarter).

The conference will include:

• Workshops led by Refugee Education UK, EMTAS, International Rescue Committee and Student Action for Refugees.
• An opportunity for attendees to hear directly from pupils and students from a forced migration background and the staff who support them.
• Information stands from local charities and refugee organisations.
• Art exhibition created by a local artist especially for Refugee Week.
• Time set aside throughout the day for networking and relationship building.

This event is FREE to attend, and lunch/refreshments will be provided. Attendees can attend for the morning, afternoon or full day - register here.

 

What to learn more, get involved in projects, or run an activity for our refugee communities? We would be delighted to organise a conversation with you online or in person. Please email sanctuary@solent.ac.uk and we can get started together!