Wednesday 4th June
WORD! FEATURING AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
19.45 – 23.00
Bambu Bar, Welford Road, Leicester
WORD is Leicester’s premiere spoken word event, open to poets, storytellers, performers and writers of all kinds to come along and share their work with others. Featuring a regular open mic, a headline act every month and the world famous notorious WORD! raffle. Organised and compered by Lydia Towsey, this mainstream night is particularly open to people who might be more excluded.
This month there will also be a slot in the evening where we hope to have refugees reading a poem called ‘Horace and the Thunder’ by Seamus Heaney in different languages.
For further information please contact: lydia.towsey@leicspart.nhs.uk
Saturday 14th June
RED CROSS REFUGEE AND ASYLUM PROJECT CELEBRATION AND PICNIC
10.00 – 16.00
Town Hall Square, Leicester
The Red Cross' Refugee & Asylum Project is hosting a fabulous celebration for Refugee Week 2008, and everyone is welcome. There will be a picnic area with children's activities, exhibitions, drummers, open mic and dancers to entertain and delight. Come along and join us as we celebrate our rich diversity and unity, and Leicester as a 'City of Sanctuary'.
For further information, contact Kerri on 07764638898.
Saturday 14th June
‘THE MISSING PEN’ EXHIBITION
Daily (except Sundays) until the end of June
Central Lending Library, Belvoir Street, Leicester LE1 6QL
An exhibition of new prints by artist Anwor Badrie.
Monday 16th June
CONFLICT, FLIGHT AND SANCTUARY?
17.00 – 19.30
Cephan Building, De Montfort University Bonners Lane (Welford Road end) Leicester
International Red Cross speaker – conflicts around the world
Navigating Safety – options for flight
The Destitution of Refused Asylum Seekers – reaching ‘sanctuary’?
Panel question and answer session
Refreshments will be available from 5pm ready for a 5.30pm start
Places are limited and can be reserved by contacting:
leicester@cityofsanctuary.com / 07716 073403
Monday 16th June and every weekday during Refugee Week
AFRO INNOVATION GROUP
10.00 – 4.00
Central Lending Library, Belvoir Street, Leicester
The Afro- Innovation is a voluntary refugee community organization providing one to one advisory sessions for refugees, asylum seekers and new arrivals to Leicester.
Afro- Innovation gives:
Assistance in understanding and completing forms, application forms and letters: immigration, asylum appeals, citizenship, jobs and benefits job search, job applications, interview skills, CV writing, basic computer skills, citizenship
Researching individual background information to support the immigration cases of failed asylum seekers
Help in the preparation of supporting letters
Liaising with other agencies by fax and phone to resolve client problems
Signposting service to agencies with specialist knowledge: Refugee Action, Refugee Support, British Red Cross, RASAP, Immigration Advisory Service, solicitors specialising in immigration cases
Providing signposting and access to translation services
Language support to those speaking: English, French, Swahili
Voluntary work experience for refugees and asylum seekers
The Afro – Innovation Group also runs the Afro Innovation Music project
Supporting refugees and asylum seekers in accessing music
Access to the teaching of traditional and modern music
Monday 16th June – Saturday 21st
LUSH CELEBRATES REFUGEE WEEK
Lush, 11 Gallowtree Gate, Leicester
LUSH cosmetics stores will be supporting Refugee Week 2008 by promoting awareness about asylum seekers and the asylum process. The store on Gallowtree Gate will be distributing awareness raising booklets published by Refugee Action and will be encouraging passers by and customers to come into the store to learn some more! So let your nose guide you to the famous soap store 'LUSH' and let your mind be filled with useful information!
Tuesday 17th June
BABIES OF THE WORLD
11.00 – 13.00
Central Lending Library, Belvoir Street, Leicester
Babies of the World is a weekly drop in meeting group on Tuesdays for refugee and asylum seeker mothers with children under the age of 4. It is facilitated by Refugee Action and the NHS Assist service. All refugee and asylum seeker mums with children under 4 are welcome to this friendly, informal group.
Tuesday 17th June
THE CENTRE PROJECT SOCIAL DROP IN
3.00 – 17.00
The Centre Project, 1Alfred Place, Leicester
The Centre is designed to offer the following services to its patrons: freshly cooked meals, for improved health and nutrition. All service users have to meet the small charge for meals and drinks. This is to encourage the development of budgeting skills. The exception is the Agape meal on Sundays for the homeless which is free.
Meaningful occupation to develop new skills and interests. In our Art and Craft Workshop users select individual pieces to work on, and receive individualised tutoring from our coordinator. We aim to develop a ‘can-do’ attitude.
Support in accessing benefits: income support, housing benefits, pensions etc.
Information and sign posting.
Help in establishing and maintaining social support: to counter isolation and promote independent living.
Decent meeting place where users who feel lonely and isolated in single accommodation can come and go freely, prevent boredom, meet people and make friends.
Practical support with, for example, form filling, setting up direct debits, job applications, CV’s and references.
Opportunities for stimulus and interaction. We have a wide range of games (such as Table Tennis, Pool, Snooker, Table Football, and a wide variety of board games and puzzles) and activities including summer outings and day trips.
A calm and friendly atmosphere aimed at improving social skills and increasing self-esteem and self-confidence.
A warm welcome for Asylum Seekers and Refugees as well as local people.
Staff and volunteers always ready to talk with individuals or simply listen.
Tuesday 17th June
ENGLISH PRACTICE
For refugees, asylum seekers, those with discretionary leave and humanitarian protection
17.30 – 18.45
Central Learning and Information Library, Bishop Street, Leicester
Come along to get weekly support and help with
Speaking, reading and writing
ESOL homework
Practice using computers
Internet
- All abilities welcome
Parents with children welcome
A chance to meet people and make new friends while learning in a relaxed and friendly way
For more details phone 07807880426
Tuesday 17th June
FILM SHOWING
'I Came Here: 1939 to Present Day'' - film showing during the Soft Touch Arts Open Evening for organisations
17.00 – 20.00
Soft Touch Arts, 120a Hartopp Road, Leicester.
People who have moved to Leicester during the past five years made the film with Soft Touch Arts and film maker Tove Norjahaan Dalenius to capture their own stories and the stories of the individuals who arrived in Leicester before them.The film is being shown as part of a wider Open Evening which will showcase a variety of Soft Touch's participatory arts work.
Representatives of interested organisations are invited to attend, but you will need to book a place.For more information contact Chris Wigmore by 12th June, on 0116 270 2706 / chris@soft-touch.org.uk.
Wednesday 18th June
THE 'MISSING PEN' EVENT
18.00 – 20.00
Central Lending Library, Belvoir Street, Leicester LE1 6QL
Meet Anwor Badrie and see his exhibition of prints for Refugee week
Thursday 19th June
WELCOME PROJECT OPEN MORNING
10.00 – 13.00
21 St. Martins, Leicester
The project offers a drop in service for refugees and asylum seekers that provides information and advice, clothes, toiletries and other subsistence support. The project opened to clients in spring 2002. The project is run by a steering group composed of representatives from partner agencies and the project's volunteers. The drop in is open all day on Thursdays from 10am to 4pm.
Thursday 19th June
THE CENTRE PROJECT SOCIAL DROP IN
For asylum seekers and refugees
3.00 – 17.00
The Centre Project, 1Alfred Place, Leicester
Friday 20th June
THE CENTRE PROJECT SOCIAL DROP IN
for asylum seekers and refugees
3.00 – 17.00
The Centre Project, 1 Alfred Place, Leicester
