Refugee Week 2021 14th – 20th June
We Cannot Walk Alone
Kirklees is a place of welcome and much work takes place across Kirklees on a daily basis to support those who are new to Kirklees and especially those who are seeking protection, we call this #KirkleesWelcomes. Every year we celebrate Refugee Week as a collaboration between the Council and all our partners locally who are involved. Covid has meant that this year many activities are online.
Refugee Week 2021 is taking place from the 14th to 20th June. The idea that we cannot walk alone is one of recognising and celebrating allyship and inclusion and this is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions refugees in our communities are making to the arts, culture, and society to show support for refugees who have been forced from their homes
There are a range of activities and events taking place locally, regionally and nationally that we are highlighting. Please see below and for more information please contact MigrationAndResettlement@kirklees.gov.uk
We cannot walk alone
Monday 14th June
- We invite you to read about Solace Surviving exile and persecution. Solace has been providing psychotherapy to refugees and asylum seekers across Yorkshire and the Humber since 2006. Get involved or support this important work.
- The Moonlight Trust Noushin Raja and Gulwali Passarla the author of ‘The Lightless Sky’ will be hosting an online awareness raising session which will highlight why it is important to never walk alone. Please book on Meeting Registration – Zoom
- Sanctuary Kirklees are holding a series of covid safe walks during the week.
Connect
Tuesday 15th June
- Kirklees Libraries are Libraries of Sanctuary. They are inviting you to connect with refugees and asylum seekers at their online events.
- If you want to connect more, our Cohesion Team have collected personal stories from refugees and asylum seekers who came to Kirklees from different parts of the world. Experience this by keeping an eye on the Kirklees Welcome Blog throughout the week.
Learn
Wednesday 16th June
- Do you want to learn more about refugees and asylum seekers? Join us from 9:30 to 12:00 in the Introduction to Migration training provided by Migration Yorkshire in partnership with the Migration and Refugee Resettlement Team. Click the link to Book on now
- Learn about the amazing Carry my Story project, 32 schools and 32 asylum seekers and refugees. Children are learning about the experiences those living in Kirklees seeking protection Carry My Story 2021.
Share
Thursday 17th June
- The Collect your Belonging project involves Refugees from different parts of the world sharing their stories and experiences with each other. Experience this by keeping an eye on the Kirklees Welcomes Blog throughout the week
- Welcome Mentors – kirkleeswelcomes (welcometokirklees.blog) will be meeting for the first time outdoors since covid 19. They will come together in a covid safe way to share their experiences over the past 12 months whilst exploring a local outdoor space and having a picnic.
Learn about the support available in Kirklees
Friday 18th June
- We are inviting you to learn more about the support available in Kirklees for refugees and asylum seekers through the approach that is called #KirkleesWelcomes. For Council staff this is via the e-learning session MiPod. If you are not a council employee please contact us MigrationAndResettlement@kirklees.gov.uk and we can arrange for you to have the slides used for the training.
- Join Asylum Matters in their online event to celebrate refugees and asylum seekers. This is an online event for Refugee Week 2021 bringing together sanctuary seekers, local decision makers and their constituents from across Yorkshire to celebrate refugees, hear their stories and learn about their lives. To book on click https://refugeecouncil.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcvc-iqpjwpHtV15THpv_n76G6I379KWMNu
- For individuals volunteering and working with asylum seekers and refugees there is a session on raising awareness about Hate Crime and what to do if you or anyone you know experiences this. Please contact MigrationAndResettlement@kirklees.gov.uk for more information.
To download the full programme please click here
kirkleeswelcomes 