8 Simple acts

RESOURCES

The organisers of Refugee Week (14–20 June) are inviting people to do one or more acts inspired by the theme We Cannot Walk Alone

THERE are eight simple everyday actions we can all do to stand in solidarity with refugees and make new connections in our communities. Whether you build your own event or activity around a simple act or simply take part during the week itself, you will be part of a movement of people taking small steps to create a big change.

1. SING A SONG

Hear Me Out – a charity that takes music-making into UK immigration detention centres – is inviting choirs everywhere to learn and sing ‘Never Give Up’, a powerful track written in Dover Immigration Removal Centre.

Hear Me Out can provide backing tracks, sheet music and lyrics. More information is available by emailing emma@hearmeoutmusic.org.uk.

2. WATCH A FILM

Taking a walk in someone else’s shoes can start with just pressing ‘play’. Moving Worlds is a selection of features and short films available to watch at home during Refugee Week. They include stories of unexpected alliances and unlikely friendships, exploring the many ways we can walk alongside each other. Resources to help post-viewing discussion are also available.

Visit movingworlds.info. For even more films, take a look at the British Film Institute’s Refugee Week collection at player.bfi.org.uk/free/collection/ refugee-week.

3. HAVE A CHAT

Begin a conversation with a friend, family member or colleague, or weave it into the programme of your Refugee Week event or activity. Here are some possible conversation starters:

* What have you missed most this year?

*What small acts of kindness have made a difference?

* If you had to leave your home in a hurry, what would you take with you?

* What makes somewhere feel like home?

* Think about a time you were new somewhere. What was it like, and what made you feel welcome?

* Think about a community that you are part of, such as your workplace, neighbourhood, school or faith community. If you could create it again from scratch, what would it look like? How would people welcome and support each other?

4. READ A BOOK

Wherever you are, and whether or not you’re able to travel, books are passports to other worlds. Pick a book or short story to journey through alone, with friends or at a book club. If you like where it takes you, pass it on or recommend it to a friend.

Find suggested books at refugeeweek.org.uk/simple-acts/read-a-book.

5. SAY IT LOUD

Share a message of hope, unity or welcome for others to see. You could draw, paint or crochet something and put it in your window or on the walls of your school, workplace or a space used by your community. You could also take a photo of what you have created and share it on social media using the hashtags #SimpleActs and #SayitLoud.

6. PLAY A GAME

Many video games have themes of movement, borders and searching for home. There’s Bury Me, My Love (burymemylove.arte.tv), where you use text messages to advise your wife, Nour, as she tries to flee Syria for Europe, Papers, Please (papersplea.se), which puts you in the shoes of a border guard, The Night Fisherman (farfewgiants.itch. io/night-fisherman), which brings you face-to-face with a tense encounter in the English Channel, and many more.

Whether you’re an avid gamer or open to trying something new, experience the world from a different perspective.

7. WALK TOGETHER

The Refugee Week organisers and the Jo Cox Foundation have teamed up to launch the Great Walk Together in celebration of Refugee Week and the Great Get Together 2021. On 20 June – or whenever you can – you are invited to walk and share Great Get Together’s #MoreInCommon message.

Wherever you walk and whoever you walk with, you’ll be joining people up and down the country to create new connections and reflect on the journeys that refugees face.

Download a toolkit to help plan and register your walk at greatgettogether.org/2021.

8. JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Refugee Week lasts for seven days, but the movement for a kinder, fairer and more connected world continues all year round. From campaigning to volunteering, you can show your support during Refugee Week 2021 and beyond.

* For more information, visit refugeeweek.org.uk