A host of activities are planned in Slough for Refugee Week, including a get together, exhibition, play, community forum and running session.
Refugee Week (17-23 June) is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
In Slough, communities are coming together to host events throughout the week.
On Tuesday 18 June, SCVS Slough Community Forum will be held, and will include Louise Sprackling, Chair of Trustees for Slough Refugee Support, as a speaker.
On Friday 21 June, there is the Everyone Welcome event at The Curve, from 10am-2pm. This day is also the start of the national Great Get Together weekend, in honour of Jo Cox.
There will be stalls for visitors to explore, including Slough libraries, health services, Slough Refugee Support, Reading Museum and the Community Learning and Skills Service.
A free exhibition entitled The Enigma of Arrival: The Politics and Poetics of Caribbean Migration to Britain, also opens at The Curve on the Friday and can be seen until the end of September. It’s been created by the Barbados Museum & Historical Society.
There will also be a play entitled ‘Where Do We Go From Here’ at The Curve Venue at 7.30pm on Friday 21 June, with tickets available for £5 online.
The play is devised, written, and performed by asylum seekers, refugees, and those with lived experience of disabilities or mental health challenges. The performance will also include British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting.
On Saturday 22 June, Slough Refugee will lead the parkrun at Upton Court Park.
Helen Buckland, refugee and asylum seeker lead, said: “It’s great to see such activities are planned for Refugee Week. We are proud that Slough is one of the most diverse places in the UK and has a long history of welcoming migrants from all over the world.
“The Everyone Welcome event will bring together lots of local groups and services who can provide useful information to Slough residents, no matter how long they have lived in the town.
“Slough’s strength is in its residents. The community and faith groups we have in the town are a safe haven for many and they do so much for others.”
The council has produced a Refugee Advice Pack, which has help and advice for people who have recently received refugee status on the next steps to resettlement. This includes information on opening a bank account, claiming Universal Credit, looking for a job, searching for housing, improving English and digital skills.
Find the information on the refugee advice page.
The list ot those attending the Everyone Welcome event includes:
- Slough Refugee Support
- Slough libraries
- Solutions 4 Health
- RBFRS
- SBC Family Hubs
- Langley College
- Thames Valley Positive Support
- Thames Valley Police
- Yusra
- Talking Therapy
- JobCentre Plus
- Slough Hub
- HealthWatch
- Reading museum
- Royal Berks Hospital carrying out liver scans
- Ways Into Work
- Palladium
- Adult Learning Slough
- Afghan Womens Group
- School Admissions Team
- School Immunisations Team
- Cow Shed
- Arts Classes Group
- SBC HAF (Holiday activities and food programme)
- SBC SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs Advice)
- Together As One
- Green Doctors