Get involved with Refugee Week
Refugee Week (19 – 25 June) is a time for everyone to celebrate Kirklees as a place of welcome.
To mark the week there are a lot of events taking place for both refugees and the wider community.
Many local community groups are also putting on special events for the refugees in their areas, and throughout the week there will be fun events in all Kirklees libraries including themed children’s storytimes and displays from their sanctuary book collections. Find your local library: http://www.kirkleeslibraries.co.uk/locations/
Dewsbury Library will also be hosting a special Kirklees Year of Music event on 22 June (5.45 pm – 7.15 pm), offering everyone the chance to come and sing a song from their culture with Ukrainian singer Natalia Mirkun. Find out more online: https://bit.ly/songsofhopeandhome
Our Cohesion team will also be sharing interesting facts about the heritage and culture of the countries that some of our refugee communities come from on their social media accounts www.twitter.com/KirkleesCI and www.kirklees.gov.uk/kirkleescohesion
Cllr Carole Pattison said:
“Refugee week provides opportunities for everyone to get together and learn about the things that we have in common, and those that make us all wonderfully unique. Refugees and asylum seekers have been a part of our communities for many years. Forced to leave their homes due to circumstances beyond their control, they have made our towns and villages their home.’
“The work that takes place to support refugees and asylum seekers takes place throughout the year, making sure everyone is supported to settle into Kirklees. I would like to thank our team in the council and partners for their commitment to providing access to English lessons, healthcare, community activities and mentorship among other things.”
“I am proud to live in a place where our communities come together to welcome refugees. The contribution refugees make cannot be underestimated, from introducing us to new foods and cultural experiences, to volunteering within local communities. Refugee Week offers us a chance to take a moment and reflect on what makes a place a home for all of us.”