Blackburn joins national celebration of Refugee Week  

Arts, cultural and educational events will be staged across the borough to mark national Refugee Week.

This year, the awareness week will take place between June 20-26. A team of volunteers are coordinating events ranging from celebrations and drama performances to food festivals and general community events across Blackburn with Darwen.

The UK-wide annual celebration marks the contribution of refugees to the UK and promotes a better understanding of why people seek sanctuary.

It aims to highlight the many ways in which refugees have contributed to and become part of our rich history and heritage.

There are a number of local events being held:

Monday, June 20

Community Energy Saving Workshop at Bank Top Neighbourhood Centre, Room 5, Arthur Way, Blackburn from  10.30am-12pm. Free. Call the Children’s Society on 01254 676102.

Youth Theatre Showcase at Darwen Library Theatre, Knott Street, Darwen from 6pm-8pm. Free but donations welcome.

Tuesday, June 21

ARC (Asylum & Refugee Community) Drop In at Wesley Hall Methodist Church, Feilden Street, Blackburn from 11.15am-2pm. Free. All welcome to visit

Film showing of Woman in Gold,  Darwen Library Theatre, Knott Street, Darwen  at 2pm. £3 entry

Wednesday, June 22

DARE (Darwen Asylum & Refugee Enterprise),  Cultural Awareness Day
Celebrate and learn about different cultures at Central United Reformed Church, Duckworth Street, Darwen  10am-1pm. Free.

Library Tour & ‘Life in Britain’  at Blackburn Library, Town Hall Street, Blackburn from 1.30-2.30pm. Free. Spaces are limited call 07552 639633 

Thursday, June 23

Art Exhibition Launch ‘Hidden Talents’  at Blackburn Museum, Museum Street, Blackburn from 3.30pm-5pm. Free.

Friday, June 24

Welcome’ Breakfast Meeting with speaker, Maurice Wren of the British Refugee Council. Refreshments provided.  Liz ’n’ Lil’s, 108 Northgate, Blackburn from 9.30am-11.30am. Free

Saturday, June 25

‘Hidden Talents’ Art Activity for all ages  at Blackburn Museum, Museum Street, Blackburn from 1-3pm. Free.

Former refugee Urmila Chowdhury,  End of Year Art Show at Blackburn College, (Beacon Centre, 4th Floor)

Wednesday, June 15 -Wednesday, July 6. Open Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm. Free.

Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Councillor Mohammed Khan said:

I hope people take advantage of these events organised by volunteers to find out more about people’s right to asylum and the positive contribution asylum seekers and refugees can make to our community.

To find out more or to book tickets, log on to http://bwdrefugeeweek.eventbrite.co.uk or call Kerry (North West Coordinator for Refugee Week) at Action Factory on (01254) 296075.

Refugee Week 2016 partners are ARC (Wesley Hall Methodist Circuit,) The Children’s Society in Lancashire (Family Safe Project,) Action Factory, Amnesty International (Blackburn,) Blackburn with Darwen Healthy Living; BwD Council: Localities and Prevention; Schools & Education; Blackburn with Darwen Libraries, Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery, Blackburn YMCA, Community Restart, DARE (Darwen Asylum & Refugee Enterprise,) Darwen Central URC, Darwen Library Theatre, Darwen Youth Theatre, Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire Mind, Liz ‘n’ Lil’s, Morrisons, Quakers (Friends’ Meeting House) & Volunteers.