Warwickshire County Council and local partners are marking Refugee Week 2025 (16–22 June) with a series of community events centered on the national theme 'Community as a Superpower'. Highlights include a comic-style art exhibition by illustrator Marth Moreton-Smith showcasing refugee-support organizations, a children's art competition on kindness and inclusion, a photography workshop with artist Sam Ivin at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum, and a World Refugee Day celebration at the Old Shire Hall featuring Ukrainian music and storytelling. The programme also includes school activities, community meals, and an evening of music and stories at Christ Church Brownsover.
This matters because Refugee Week provides a platform for local communities to actively demonstrate solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers, reinforcing the social fabric of Warwickshire. By using art, storytelling, and shared cultural experiences, the events make visible the contributions of volunteers and newcomers alike, promoting inclusion and countering division. The involvement of libraries, churches, and county council officials underscores the broad institutional support for refugee integration at the local level.