Southwark comes together to celebrate Refugee Week 2023

30 June 2023

Join Southwark Council as we mark Refugee Week 2023 with a community event to promote and celebrate the contribution of refugee communities across our borough.

Tomorrow (1 July) at the Southwark Refugee Communities Forum we will support a day of cultural activities and food. Through a wide range of activities and conversations, the event will explore this year’s theme ‘compassion’ and celebrate the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.

Deputy leader and cabinet member for children, education and refugees, Cllr Jasmine Ali: "As refugee week ends, here in Southwark the work continues to ensure that all refugees are welcome in our borough. We are supporting a celebratory event this Saturday where anyone can come along and feel at home. The theme is compassion, something that has been headline news this week. We reiterate that our doors are open, that we do not turn away those seeking asylum, fleeing danger or war, and welcome them to find safety here."

Southwark has a long and proud history of welcoming people fleeing violence and persecution and seeking sanctuary in our borough. We stand ready to support people to resettle and find a safe place to call home.

The event is a collaboration between the Southwark Refugee Communities Forum, Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers, Southwark Law Centre and Southwark Council. Everyone is welcome to join and to celebrate what compassion looks like in action.

Venue:  St Giles Church, Camberwell Church Street, SE5 8RB

Date:  Saturday 1 July 2023

Time: 11 am – 4 pm

More information: https://www.southwarkrefugeecommunitiesforum.org/refugee-week-2023

Southwark Council and Lambeth Council have also come together this week to raise their concerns about the Home Office’s intention to increase the number of asylum seekers in existing hotels in our boroughs and across London. They have jointly written to the Home Secretary saying that this new plan will force people into further cramped conditions already detrimental to their mental and physical health. We will continue to call on Government for a more compassionate and dignified approach to supporting people seeking safety and sanctuary in the UK.

Page last updated: 30 June 2023

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