Refugee Week 2026 will be 15th-21st June with the theme of Courage
SWVG’s Refugee Week schools project:
SWVG volunteers have been visiting schools in Southampton and Winchester, working with the primary and secondary schoolchildren on creative projects on the Refugee Week theme of courage, as well as more broadly on the journeys refugees take seeking sanctuary.
Young people aged 9-15 from SO14 to SO45 have reached out to those who flee their homes to escape danger, hunger, persecution and war, in a celebration of their courage and our city’s longstanding tradition of Welcome.
There will be small exhibitions of the school artwork at The Arc, Winchester, and at Southampton Central Library, during Refugee Week and until 26th June.
We have had very positive feedback, including this comment from the Deputy Head of one school we visited: “We had several teachers talking at lunchtime about how brilliant they thought it was. It was perfectly pitched and relevant for children of that age and wonderful to hear directly from Parisa [SWVG member with lived experience of seeking asylum]. Thank you SWVG.”
Another comment from a local primary school: “I thought it went brilliantly, and was pitched perfectly – both moving and inspirational. Once again a huge thank you for giving us the opportunity to take part in the project, the children are very excited to get going.”
Schedule of other local events celebrating the arts and culture festival:
On Tuesday 16th June the Romsey branch of Amnesty International will be holding a screening of a number of short films about migration, belonging and community reflecting the weeks theme of Courage. This will take place in Romsey Town Hall 7:00-8.30pm and is a FREE event.
On Wednesday 17th June there will be an all-day FREE event, ‘Courage in Education’, at Winchester University, including presentations, workshops and film screenings. Please scan the QR code on the poster uploaded here to register to attend the conference. SWVG will have a stand there.
On Friday 19th June, there will be a film screening of the feature-length film, ‘Dreamers’, at Harbour Lights Picture House cinema in Southampton. This will be followed by a Q&A. They speakers are: Loraine Mponela (poet and lived experience of asylum system); Agnes Tanho (lived experience of detention); Nikki Walters (Southampton refugee support overview).