This event has already taken place, and is shown here for information only.
Refugee Week is a festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Founded in 1998 in the UK and held every year around World Refugee Day on the 20 June, Refugee Week 2024 will be on 17th-23rd June 2024.
The theme this year is ‘Our Home‘. What does home mean to you?
Swansea Refugee Week Highlight
We are delighted to announce that our local library service, Swansea Libraries, have achieved their Library of Sanctuary status! Their dedication to creating spaces that are welcoming and inclusive to all is a vital part of making people with lived experience feel like they are a part of the Swansea community.
The libraries have a variety of events on during Refugee Week, so do drop by and congratulate them on their recent success!
Events
Here’s a rundown of the exciting events planned for this special week:
Monday 17th June
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10AM – 4PM Art, Craft & Wellbeing Activities Location: Botanical Gardens, SA2 8PW (click here to open in maps) Hosted by the University of Wales Trinity St. David (UWTSD), enjoy a day of creative activities designed to promote wellbeing. |
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2PM – 4PM VR Experience: Life in Someone Else’s Shoes Location: Gorseinon Library, SA4 4AA (click here to open in maps) Hosted by Swansea Libraries, this VR experience offers a unique perspective on life in someone else’s shoes. See the Gorseinon Library webpage for more information. |
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Tuesday 18th June
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10:30AM Onwards Aruni McShane Poetry Workshop Location: Central Library, SA1 3SN (click here to open in maps) All ages are welcome to this poetry workshop by Aruni McShane, co-hosted by Swansea Libraries and SCVS. See the Central Library webpage for more information. |
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1:30PM Onwards Art Exhibition Location: 3rd floor, Grand Theatre, SA1 3QJ (click here to open in maps) Hosted by the Refugee Resettlement Programme (EYST) and Swansea Council, explore an inspiring art exhibition featuring artists with lived experience of seeking sanctuary, exploring the theme of ‘home’. The exhibition is accepting submissions until Friday 7th June. See EYST’s Twitter for more information. |
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6:45PM Onwards Sing for Sanctuary: Choir Concert & Fundraiser Location: St. Mary’s Church, SA1 3LP (click here to open in maps) Enjoy live performances by local choirs at our ‘Sing for Sanctuary’ event – raising funds for Swansea City of Sanctuary! Booking required: See our Eventbrite for more information. |
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Wednesday 19th June
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10:30AM Onwards Aruni McShane Poetry Workshop: Adult Session Location: Brynhyfryd Library, SA5 9LH (click here to open in maps) An adult poetry workshop by Aruni McShane, co-hosted by Swansea Libraries and SCVS. See the Brynhyfryd Library webpage for more information. |
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12:30PM – 2:30PM Chai & Chat Refugee Week Celebration Location: National Waterfront Museum, SA1 3RD (click here to open in maps)Celebrate Refugee Week with a Chai & Chat session hosted by SCVS. These are regular in-person drop in sessions set up to share key health messages with individuals from diverse communities. See the SCVS website for more information. |
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4PM – 5PM Sarita Sood Bollywood Dancing: Family Workshop Location: Morriston Library, SA6 6AA (click here to open in maps) A fun family workshop hosted by Swansea Libraries. See the Morriston Library webpage for more information. |
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7PM – 9PM GRAFT Supper + Auction (£15) Location: National Waterfront Museum, SA1 3RD (click here to open in maps) Indulge in a delicious seasonal feast, celebrate the launch of the Community Flavours book, and be dazzled by a spectacular fashion show and bid on exciting auction items to help raise money for The Women’s Group. Booking required: See the Waterfront Museum website for more information. |
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Thursday 20th June
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11AM Onwards Protect ‘Our Home’ Talk: West Wales Rivers Trust Location: Killay Library, SA2 7QS (click here to open in maps) An adult session talk hosted by Swansea Libraries and West Wales Rivers Trust. See the Killay Library webpage for more information. |
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2PM – 3PM Chinese Calligraphy Workshop: Adult Session Location: St. Thomas Library, SA1 8EZ (click here to open in maps) Join us for a calligraphy workshop.Booking required: See the St. Thomas Library webpage for more information. |
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Friday 21st June
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1PM – 4PM Workshop Taster Day Location: Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, SA1 5DZ (click here to open in maps) Join for a day of workshops and activities that introduce the varied free workshops that are available every week during term time. Try your hand at Mosaic, textiles, printmaking and painting and drawing and enjoy a cake and hot drink of your choosing. No need to book, just drop in at any time to see what’s on offer and meet other creative people. Bus tickets are available at reception for those attending a workshop. See the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery website for more information. |
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3PM – 6PM Refugee Day Celebration Location: 3rd floor, Grand Theatre, SA1 3QJ (click here to open in maps) This year ACC plan to celebrate the resilience, stories, talents, heritages and diversity of our refugees through music, karaoke, food and poetry. See the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery website for more information. See ACC’s social media for more information. |
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Saturday 22nd June
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10:30AM Onwards Story & Crafts Location: Oystermouth Library, SA3 4AA (click here to open in maps) A morning of storytelling and crafts hosted by Swansea Libraries. See the Oystermouth Library webpage for more information. |
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11AM Onwards Protect ‘Our Home’ Talk: West Wales Rivers Trust Location: Pontarddulais Library, SA4 8TE (click here to open in maps) A children’s session talk hosted by Swansea Libraries and West Wales Rivers Trust. See the Pontarddulais Library webpage for more information. |
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2PM Onwards Protect ‘Our Home’ Talk: West Wales Rivers Trust Location: Oystermouth Library, SA3 4AA (click here to open in maps) Another children’s session talk hosted by Swansea Libraries and West Wales Rivers Trust. See the Oystermouth Library webpage for more information. |
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Essential Toiletries for Asylum Seekers
As part of Refugee Week, we want to highlight a critical need within our community and offer a way for everyone to get involved, even if you cannot attend the events. Swansea Asylum Seekers Support (SASS) is running a Crowdfunder to provide essential toiletries to asylum seekers, who often struggle to afford basic necessities. According to a recent report from Asylum Matters, an overwhelming 65% of asylum seekers face challenges affording toiletries, and 85% struggle to afford cleaning products.
Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of asylum seekers, ensuring they maintain their dignity and improve their quality of life. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps us continue this vital work. Please consider donating to the SASS Crowdfunder. Thank you for your generosity and support!
Support our Community Cohesion Project
We’re also excited to highlight our upcoming Community Cohesion project, which aims to foster a welcoming culture in Swansea by equipping our volunteers with essential skills like presentation, media outreach, event planning, and fundraising.
Your donations will support training and cover costs like travel, ensuring participation from communities with lived experience. These efforts will unite local residents and new arrivals, amplify volunteer voices, and identify community champions who advocate for asylum seekers and refugees.
Help us recruit and engage diverse volunteers to reflect the communities we serve. To contribute, please visit our LocalGiving fundraiser. Thank you for your support during Refugee Week!
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Mark your calendars and be part of Swansea Refugee Week 2024!
If your organisation has an event you’d like us to publicise, please get in touch: [email protected].