Introduction

SWVG is committed to campaigning and advocating on behalf of asylum seekers and refugees in the UK. Our work goes on throughout the year to raise awareness of the difficulties faced under the current system, contribute to the popular debate and seek to influence policy makers in light of the experiences of the people we work with. 

We are calling for an asylum system that is more effective, fair and humane, with safe routes for people who need sanctuary to reach the UK.

We contact our local MPs and political parties, write letters and articles for newspapers, and do interviews for radio and TV.

We support national campaigns (such as those led by Refugee Action and the Refugee Council) where these are relevant to our local issues.

Our Refugee Week parade, music and dance events bring people together to celebrate the cultures in our community. 

You can read an evidenced based report produced by SWVG on the asylum system here for detailed analysis of the current challenges

If you are interested in supporting any of our campaigns, please contact info@swvg-refugees.org.uk.

Southampton Refugee Week 2024

17-23^th June

www.refugeeweek.org.uk

Initial Flyer pdf for download click here

 

Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts & culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of people seeking sanctuary.

The theme for Refugee Week 2024 is “Our Home”. From the places we gather to share meals to our collective home, planet earth: everyone is invited to celebrate what our Our Home means to them.

Having a week that focuses on refugees enables Southampton to understand the contribution that refugees bring to the City, the reasons why people seek asylum and helps to unite a wide range of local organisations around our Aims.

We want to build on the success of our 2023 Event, which included a carnival parade and picnic with music and dance in the middle of Southampton, as well as participation by schools, by local community groups and by people living in asylum accommodation. This was attended by about 1000 people.

The Aim of our events is to affirm to people who are (or have been) refugees are welcome and valued in our community and that our country should continue to offer asylum to people who need sanctuary.

Our objectives are:

1. Endorsement and support of our Aim above by a wide range of organisations in Southampton

2. Wide participation by all, especially including refugees

3. Education about why people need asylum, in schools and elsewhere

4. Positive media coverage

5. Enhancing community resilience, mutual support and networking

6. Positive and enjoyable events

Proposed Events:

• Preparatory events with schools, people seeking asylum and cultural groups in the weeks leading up to Refugee Week.
• A big communal event in Southampton on Saturday 22^nd June including:

• • Information and creative sessions on the morning.

  • A parade and picnic with music and dance in the afternoon.

What we would like you to do:

• Declare your organisation’s support for the Aim (above)

• Nominate a member of your organisation to join our Organising Team

• Join our 22nd June event and/or the preparatory events

• Provide some funding or other form of support if you are able to

Please contact us by email or by phone

William Brook-Hart william.brook-hart@swvg-refugees.org.uk

07821 987014

We look forward to hearing from you !

Resources

Refugee Week

Hold an event – Refugee Week – Organiser Pack 2023 (to be updated in due course for 2024

Refugees have always been part of the UK – it’s #WhoWeAre.

Today, with over 350 other organisations we’re calling for a better approach to supporting refugees that is kinder, fairer and more effective. #TogetherWithRefugees 

www.togetherwithrefugees.org.uk

How we treat refugees is about who we are. At our best, we are welcoming and kind to those facing difficult times. If any one of us feared for our lives or for our loved ones, we’d want to know that others would help us to safety.

Together, we are calling for a better approach to supporting refugees that is more effective, fair and humane. This means standing up for people’s ability to seek safety in the UK no matter how they came here and ensuring people can live in dignity while they wait for a decision on their asylum application. It means empowering refugees to rebuild their lives and make valuable contributions to our communities. And it means the UK working with other countries to do our bit to help people who are forced to flee their homes.

 

Last Updated: 30/11/2023 – Next Update Due: