Ref: PR 2638
Date: 09/06/2010
 
Wakefield Together is supporting Refugee Week which starts on June 14 2010 when events will be taking place across Wakefield district.

Highlights include musicians from all over the world coming together at Wakefield Cathedral to create exciting new sounds, photography displays in the Ridings Shopping Centre and Textile exhibitions at the Cathedral. For a full list of events, visit www.wakefieldvcs.org (see related links).

This year is the second year of the Refugee Week Simple Acts campaign, which aims to bring refugees and British-born people together through small activities such as cooking a dish from another country or reading a book about exile.

Already nearly 8000 acts have been completed, and by World Refugee Day, 20 June, the aim is to have 20,000 Simple Acts completed by the people of Britain.

Cllr Olivia Rowley, Wakefield Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Environment said “Wakefield District is one of many places in Britain with a proud tradition of sheltering people who are fleeing persecution and war. The aim of refugee week is to help change the perception of refugees by each of us carrying out a simple everyday act’’.

Gill Thornton, Chief Executive for Voluntary Action Wakefield District said “Voluntary and community groups have always been at the forefront in welcoming and supporting asylum seekers and refugees. Local groups, often set up by the refugees themselves work to secure their rights and help them to become established members of the community making a positive contribution. We are very pleased and proud to work with those groups and to join with them in celebrating Refugee Week in 2010’’.

Zahida Chaudhry, Community Mental Health Development Worker at NHS Wakefield District said: “Refugees have made a positive contribution to the economy and culture wherever they have settled to work within the Wakefield district. I feel privileged to be Chair of Refugee Week and to have been involved in the planning and preparation of events which I have enjoyed immensely. I hope that everyone has enjoyed the learning experiences. I thank everyone for their contribution to make the week a success.”.

Wakefield Together is the local strategic partnership (LSP) for the Wakefield district and brings together key agencies here who deliver services and activities that affect the lives of people who live, work, visit and do business in the area.

Ends