From free food and films to football, there’s so much happening this Refugee Week. Why not go along to one of the events taking place in our area between now and Saturday and make the most of this celebration of different cultures?

It’s Refugee Week 2024 and there are lots of exciting events happening around our region to celebrate.

The theme of this year’s Refugee Week is ‘Our Home’ and here at Action Foundation we have teamed up with Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle for a special screening of the film, Limbo, on Wednesday evening at 6pm about a group of refugees stranded on a Scottish island.

There will be a Q&A afterwards with people from our charity who have lived experience of migration. There are a handful of tickets left, if you would like to book.

We’ll also be celebrating Refugee Week within our services all week and on Thursday our InterAction Drop-in will be hosting craft, competitions and performances after the casework sessions have finished at 12 noon. All are welcome.

Also on Thursday between 5pm and 5.50pm our former colleague, Emily Malcolm, will be running a free yoga session in Leazes Park, Newcastle, by the bandstand to celebrate both International Yoga Day and Refugee Week. Some mats will be available but please bring your own if you have one.

Here’s a round-up of some of the other happenings around the area:

  • On Monday 17th June the Millennium Bridge in Newcastle will be lit up orange at 9pm to celebrate Refugee Week.
  • Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art has a packed programme of events this week. On Wednesday 19th, Thursday, 20th and Friday 21st there are Home is a Shared Meal events with vegetarian and halal food options.

On Wednesday 19th between 1.30-3.30pm Home is our bodies is a chance to relax and check in with your body. Learn techniques for hand massage with Belmira. Try yoga breath work and gentle movement to support mindfulness and relaxation with Victoria. Indulge in a relaxing henna experience with designs by Hina.

Thursday 20th between 10-11am you can join the Baltic team for a Quayside tour. This outdoor tour will take you on a loop around the Quayside taking in the buildings, bridges and wildlife around us. You are encouraged to ask questions and learn about where Baltic calls home. Click here to book online

Thursday 20th 1-3pm Home is a personal touch. Join artist Debbie Bower to make a macrame plant hanger, personalised with your own beads. Take your creation and a plant back to your space.

Saturday 22nd June 11am-1pm. You can visit the professional photography studio in Launch Pad, Level 2, to have your photo taken with friends and family. The photographer knows all the lighting tricks to help create a photo you can cherish and will help children feel at ease. Take a phone snap away with you and Baltic will post you printed copies.

Find out more here

  • West End Refugee Service and Dance City are partnering to deliver events every day during Refugee Week. On Tuesday 18th between 3pm-5pm there is gardening at the Seven Bridges outside space, supported by Scotwood Community Garden and between 3pm-5pm there’ll be free food. Then on Wednesday 19th between 3pm-5pm there’ll be recipe sharing and the chance to say what you’d like The Seven Bridges to serve. Free food between 3pm and 5pm. Thursday 20th sees a family dance class with Dance City for children aged 0-11 years and their parents/carers followed by food between 3pm-5pm. Friday 21st is a music workshop between 2.30pm and 3.30pm followed by food at 3pm again.
  • Tuesday 18th 6.30-7.30pm St Mary’s Cathedral Church, Clayton Street West, Newcastle is holding an Our Home event to welcome and celebrate refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. Join to listen to people’s stories, celebrate their talents.
  • Friday 21st June: Family event at the Magpie Club, Newcastle United Stadium 5.30pm-9pm. Join the Employability for Refugees Team at Newcastle United Foundation for an evening of celebration, with food (halal) and activities. This will take place at the Magpie Club at Newcastle United’s stadium (corner of The Milburn Stand and stretching across The Leazes Stand, St James’ Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 4ST). Contact Shayan Gazerani, Project Co-ordinator, to book places: [email protected]
  • Friday 21st 11.30am and 12 noon. Newcastle University XL Gallery, Fine Art Building, NE1 7RU – Skimstone Arts are inviting people to a performance by Shirley and the Gang – a music band of hopeful refugees who meet at St Peter’s Church every week. Together with Skimstone Arts they make songs about what hopes and choices there are in life. ‘Life is not Rwanda, life is to hope for a good situation where we can work and be reunited with our families. Life is no more war and to live in peace. Hope is to find peace in the UK.’ Saturday 22nd 12.45pm Shirley and the Gang with Skimstone will be performing again at ARC arts centre in Stockton-on-Tees
  • Saturday 23rd June: Host Nation is holding a Home is Friends, Summer Fete in partnership with The Comfrey Project. A day filled with good food, games, music, a bonfire, conversations and chances to make new friends. They will be cooking BBQ, Halal and Vegan options. If you would like to bring your own food to share – please do! Food will be available at all times in the day, so arrive when its best for you / your family. For any further questions, please contact Harley at [email protected]
  • Saturday 23rd June 11am-1pm: United for Sanctuary Football Festival at Wallsend Boys Club (Kirkley Park, Rheydt Ave, Newcastle upon Tyne NE28 8SX) to celebrate refugee week. Men and women’s 5 a side teams from organisations across the area will be playing in a special football festival supporting and celebrating Sanctuary. This year’s festival will include a five-a-side tournament, indoor arts sessions facilitated by Helix Arts, a calm zone with X-Box games and lots more for families to enjoy.