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.
- For more details about all of these events and details about where to buy tickets, visit the Refugee Week 2018 website here.
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