This week is Refugee Week where the theme is ‘Community as a Superpower’.
Slough has shown its strength of community with a series of events throughout the week. Here’s a round up – thank you to everyone for running these events and to all those who came along!
Saturday – Slough Refugee Support sent two teams to play in the Reading Community Cup, bringing together local teams, communities, and refugees through the power of football. The orange team topped their group and advanced to the quarterfinals, but unfortunately, they were eliminated on penalties. The blue team was strong and determined to win one of the trophies, and they did it!
Monday – Art workshop at The Curve organised by Museums Partnership Reading, supported by Arts Council and led by an artist from Afghanistan with lived experience of forced migration.
Tuesday – Rounders match held in Upton Court Park by Together As One. Very well attended, with a chance for young people with experience of migration, both alone and with families, to get to know other young people in Slough.
Wednesday – Everyone Welcome services fair at The Curve. 30 organisations represented, with about 100 people through the doors. The event included free health checks, a chance to meet the school admissions team, find out about dual language books at the library and meet Freddie the foster teddy! People added their superpowers (or talents) to the poster – what talented residents we have in Slough.
Alongside this event there were performances from Rank and File, an experience-led theatre group, and a second art workshop, both organised by Museums Partnership Reading, supported by Arts Council.
Thursday – Slough Refugee Support hosted a food share event to celebrate the diversity amongst its staff and service users. One user said: “A great success! People from different countries came together to share traditional dishes, fostering unity, cultural appreciation, and community spirit.” Another said: “A beautiful, welcoming event that made us forget our issues for the day. Thank you, Slough Refugee Support. We would love to see more of these events to show support for the displaced community.'"
During the week, 22 people from libraries, adult learning and Ways Into Work attended the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Awareness session over two days.