Refugee Week 2025

On 18 June 2025, Refugee Week was marked across RMC’s offices in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Walsall. The events were open to clients, staff, partners, and members of the public.

Written by: Saqib

Refugee Week is held every June to recognise the experiences of people who have been forced to leave their homes and to highlight their contributions to society. It began in 1998 as a response to growing hostility towards refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. Since then, it has become a national opportunity to promote understanding, connection, and inclusion.

Community as a Superpower, this years Refugee Week Theme, ties in perfectly to RMC’s work.

Refugee Week overview

Throughout Refugee Week, RMC was involved in events, talks, and activities to celebrate and raise awareness.

Within our centres, Wednesday the 18th was our big day. Hosting events across the West Midlands bringing together partner organisations, clients and mayors to showcase the power of community.

Birmingham: Participation and Public Recognition

The Birmingham event began with a welcome by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zafar Iqbal, who acknowledged the role refugees play in shaping the life of the city. Dr Jordan Daniels performed using the kora, a traditional West African instrument, and spoke about his work in mental health and inclusion for deaf communities.

The talks by staff and partners followed, RMC’s Immigration Manager Danai Papachristopoulou spoke about the support provided to clients through legal advice and casework. Community organiser Mirza Baig discussed an ongoing campaign encouraging blood donation among underrepresented groups. Artist Liudmyla Sadova reflected on displacement and rebuilding identity through art.

Attendees engaged in a range of activities. A calligraphy session was led by RMC volunteer Mr Chan, a general knowledge quiz was won by a Ukrainian client, a screening of The Scent of Geranium which is a short animated film by Naghmeh Farzaneh, offered a creative view of the experience of migration.

Information and cultural stalls were set up by partner organisations. The Yemen Community Association shared traditional artefacts. New Hope Global presented textile-based stories by Bangladeshi women using Nakshi Kantha embroidery. Enactus Birmingham showcased a recipe book created by migrants, and the National Literacy Trust distributed free books. The event closed with a vote for best outfit, won by RMC staff member Mr Ernest.

Walsall: Support, Art, and Access to Information

In Walsall, local groups offered one-to-one advice at information stalls, including Walsall College, Maximus, Healthwatch, Digital Support & Training, Kinship, Healthy Minds, and the Domestic Abuse Walsall Service. The event focused on both immediate support and long-term access to opportunities. The Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Louise Harrison, visited to meet attendees and show support for the event.

A collaborative art session, Brushstrokes of Belonging, was led by artist Masuma Anwari. It provided a calm, shared space for attendees to contribute to a group painting. In the theatre area, Journey Mercies: Home’s Continuous Call, a short film by Tomisin Adepeju, was screened. The film explored migration and identity through personal visual storytelling.

The day also included music by Yurii Biletskyi, a violist originally from Ukraine. Readings and speeches by RMC community members Matin Amiri, Juliette Tinya Ako-Egbe, and Fatima Nassan reflected on the personal and practical aspects of seeking safety and starting again.

Wolverhampton: Listening and Connection

At the Wolverhampton office, the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Craig Collingswood, and Deputy Lieutenant Mark Haywood attended and gave remarks on the value of inclusive community-building.

Organisations such as the NHS, City of Wolverhampton College, Aspiring Future, the National Careers Service, the Department for Work and Pensions, and Good Shepherd offered practical information and advice to visitors.

Former RMC clients spoke about their personal journeys, from arriving in the UK to becoming more settled and active members of the community. One shared a poem titled I Am Safe Now, written during their resettlement under the ARAP scheme. ESOL learner Abeer Alshamarai gave a short storytelling session, and the day ended with a dhol performance by Harry from Gulshan Radio.

Ongoing Impact

Refugee Week is not just a calendar event. It is a reminder of the value of everyday community work. Across all three sites, the day created space for people to reflect, share, and engage. It was a chance to recognise individual experiences of migration and to strengthen relationships between clients, staff, and partners.

RMC continues to provide practical, free support to those navigating complex systems and to do so in a way that centres dignity and fairness. While Refugee Week offers a spotlight, the work carries on every day.