REFUGEE Week is coming to Swindon.

The annual celebration of refugees and asylum seekers sees events at venues across the town. It is led by campaign group Swindon City of Sanctuary.

Kate Hudson, Refugee Week coordinator, said: “We’re celebrating the contribution of asylum seekers and refugees but it’s also about all of us, about wanting to come and join and be part of it and realising such wonderful things can come out of it.”

Swindon is one of a handful of dispersal towns in the south west. Recent arrivals to the UK are often settled here while they wait for their asylum claim to be scrutinised by the Home Office or for the government to give them leave to remain. While they live in this limbo-world, refugees are given just £35 on which to live.

Refugee Week 2018: What’s happening when?  

Launch Night: Coming to Swindon

Monday, June 18, 6.30pm-9pm

Arts Centre, Devizes Road

Screening of feature documentary the Railway Town, followed by a panel discussion on immigration and Swindon. Tickets: £6.

Breathing Fire: Playback Theatre

Tuesday, June 19, 7.30pm-9pm

Central Community Centre, Faringdon Road

Theatre specialists will be sharing stories, taking advantage of Afrikaan storytelling. Tickets: Free.

Swindon 105.5: World Refugee Day

Wednesday, June 20, 9am-10am 

Swindon radio station Swindon 105.5 will spend an hour speaking to refugees about their experiences of settling in the town.

Craftivism: World Refugee Day

Wednesday, June 20, 11am-4pm

Artsite Number Nine, Theatre Square

Join arts and crafts fans for a workshop of making and conversation. Free entry.

We’re Open: Refugee Week Special

Thursday, June 21, 6.30pm-8.30pm

Darkroom Espresso, Faringdon Road

Every Thursday town centre café Darkroom Espresso throw open their doors for an evening of music and games to which people from all cultures are welcome. In a Refugee Week special, there will be a headline performance from Royal Soul and an opportunity to learn how to play dominoes in the Middle Eastern way.

Free entry.

DANCE: Different Pasts, Shared Future

Friday, June 22, 7.30pm-9.30pm

Swindon Dance, Town Hall

A one-off dance show involving schools, Swerve Dance Theatre Company, Create Studios and PRIME Theatre, inspired by refugees. Tickets: £5.

Amnesty International’s 40th Birthday: Open Lunch

Saturday, June 23, from 1pm

Friends Meeting House, Eastcott Road

Informal buffet lunch to celebrate 40 years of Swindon and Marlborough Amnesty Group. Free entry.

Sanctuary Songs: Steve Cox and Friends

Saturday, June 23, 7.30pm-10pm

Savernake Street Social Hall, Savernake Street

An evening of live music, poetry and prose. Tickets: £5.

The Global Garden Party

Sunday, June 24, 12pm-6pm

Town Gardens

Live entertainment, dance, stalls and family activities. Free entry.