Support needed for Refugee Week 2024 in North Devon

As Refugee Week 2024 approaches, North Devon Council and the Pickwell Foundation are urging individuals, community groups, and businesses to support the festival alongside them. 

Refugee Week, taking place from Monday, June 17 to Sunday, June 23, is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity, and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. 

Established in 1998 in the UK, this annual festival aligns with World Refugee Day, celebrated globally on June 20.

This year's theme is Our Home.

The Pickwell Foundation provides local support to refugees through various schemes, including refugee resettlement via the Community Sponsorship Scheme, support for Ukrainians and their sponsors in North Devon and Torridge through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, and assistance to Afghan families relocating to North Devon under the ARAP scheme. 

Organisers said: “From the places we gather to share meals to our collective home, planet Earth: everyone is invited to celebrate what Our Home means to them.”

Supported by the council, Pickwell is organising a variety of events around this theme, including:

• Saturday, June 15: Ilfracombe Library Event - Crafts and book reading
• Tuesday, June 18: Launch of Exhibition and Information Stand at Barnstaple Pannier Market
• Tuesday, June 18: Barnstaple Library Event with DCC, Sunrise, and Works Club - Crafts and book reading
• Wednesday, June 19: Exhibition and Information Stand at Pannier Market
• Wednesday, June 19: Petroc Liberty Cafe session for resettled families
• Thursday, June 20: Exhibition and Information Stand at Pannier Market
• Friday, June 21: Exhibition and Information Stand at Pannier Market
• Saturday, June 22: Community Led Welcome Event at Barnstaple Pannier Market

North Devon has welcomed many refugees, including asylum seekers escaping war in Ukraine and Afghans who have worked with the British armed forces. 

Both Pickwell and the council encourage the community to extend warmth and hospitality to these individuals and families by holding events to mark Refugee Week or performing simple acts like having a chat, walking together, or sending a message of welcome to help refugees feel at home.

Nina Lake, Head of Housing at North Devon Council, said: “I am heartened by the warm embrace our community has extended to Ukrainian refugees fleeing conflict in their home country over the past two years, and more recently to Afghan families who bravely served alongside the British armed forces. Refugee Week 2024 is an opportunity for us to reaffirm our commitment to compassion and solidarity. Let's come together in North Devon to hold events marking the week - or simply carry out simple acts of kindness to welcome those who have been displaced. By doing so, we can share 'Our Home' and show the true spirit of humanity.”

Nicola Jenner, Communications and Events Lead, added: "We're excited to start sharing our plans for this year's Refugee Week, which will serve to honour the contributions, creativity, and resilience of the individuals who've sought sanctuary in our local towns and villages. We will be sharing incredible examples of community-led welcome and how you can plant the seeds in #OurHome to make the community of northern Devon an even more compassionate place.

“If you would like to get involved during the day, please reach out. We’re looking for face painters and other craft activities to make this a fun and interactive event. This event is free and community-led, so your time and contributions will be donated.”

Organisers of Refugee Week encourage supporters to use the hashtags #RefugeeWeek, #SimpleActs, and #TogetherWithRefugees.

Anyone interested in participating in Refugee Week can email Nicola at Nicola@thepickwellfoundation.org.uk.

For more information on taking part in Refugee Week 2024, including an event organiser pack, visit the Refugee Week website.