Celebrate Refugee Week in Blackburn and Darwen

Arts, cultural and educational events will be staged across the borough to mark this year’s Refugee Week.

This year, the awareness week will take place between June 15–21. A team of volunteers are coordinating events ranging from celebrations, drama performances, food festivals and general community events across the borough.

Refugee Week is UK-wide and celebrates the contribution of refugees to the UK and promotes better understanding of why people seek sanctuary.

Refugee Week 2015 aims to encourage a better understanding of Britain’s proud history of giving sanctuary to people escaping persecution, and 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 15:

• Beans ‘n’ Leaves International Coffee Morning. Liz ‘n’ Lils, 108 Northgate, Blackburn. 9.30am to 11.30am. Free.

• A Rare Bear and Other Tales – Youth Performance Showcase. Darwen Library Theatre, Knott Street, Darwen. 6pm to 8pm. £2 (£1).

Tuesday, June 16:

• Refugee Week Celebration. Blackburn is Open shop, 65 King William Street, Blackburn. 11am to 2.30pm. Free.

Wednesday, June 17:

• International Food Day – Food from 15 countries. Central URC Hall, Duckworth Street, Darwen. 11am to 1pm. £5 entry.

• Exhibition Launch – Young People’s Art Work. Blackburn Museum, Museum Street, Blackburn.3.30pm to 5pm. Free.

• Shared Futures – Guest speakers, drama, film. Blackburn Library (Hornby Theatre), Town Hall Street, Blackburn. 6pm to 8.30pm. Free.

Thursday, June 18:

• Peace For Life – Help create a peace quilt. Bb1 For Life, 72 Northgate, Blackburn. 9am to 4pm. Free.

Friday, June 19:

• Laughter Session. Wesley Methodist Hall, Feilden Street, Blackburn. 2pm to 3pm. Free.

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

I am excited about this year’s events to celebrate Refugee Week, there are some great activities taking place right across the borough and there is a real spirit of togetherness and community.

 Refugee Week is important and getting people involved helps to bring us closer to raising awareness 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 2015 partners are ARC (Wesley Hall Methodist Circuit, The Children’s Society in Lancashire (Family Safe Project), Action Factory, Amnesty International (Blackburn), Blackburn with Darwen Council, Environment, Housing and Neighbourhoods, Schools and Education, Blackburn Cathedral (bb1 For Life), Blackburn with Darwen Libraries, Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery, Blackburn YMCA, British Red Cross, Communities of Blackburn, Community Restart, Darwen Central URC, Darwen Library Theatre, Darwen Youth Theatre, Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire Mind, Liz ‘n’ Lils and Volunteers.