Refugee Week

Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts & culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. The theme for 2025 is "community as a superpower". Communities bring people together, bridge divides and offer support.

The University first signed the Reading City of Sanctuary pledge in 2017 and after further developing our Sanctuary activities, was recognised as a University of Sanctuary in 2023. For Refugee Week 2025 you are invited to join us for events planned and led by a team of students and staff at the University of Reading and Reading Students' Union.

Refugee Week takes place from the 16 - 22 June, the University will be hosting events across June, before the end of the academic year. These events will take place both on campus and in the local area.

Students, staff and members of the community are invited to come along to these events and build new connections...

Refugee week event programme:

Conversation Café and Human Library: Lives beyond the headlines

Wednesday 11 June, 12:00-14:00 in the Global Study Lounge, Edith Morley 230.

The Human Library

Join us for the Refugee Week Conversation Café, and discover The Human Library.

The Human Library will provide you with the opportunity to have a meaningful discussion with some sanctuary students who would love to share their lived experiences and journeys of resilience with you. An opportunity to discuss real lived experiences beyond the headlines.

Conversation Cafés

The Conversation Cafés take place throughout the year, and all are welcome to attend. The Conversation Cafés are a relaxed and inclusive space where students can chat and connect. We have different topics each week. Whether you want to meet others, improve your English or help create an inclusive environment to make that possible, you are welcome! Cafés can also contribute to all 3 RED Awards. Free tea, coffee and biscuits available.

You can find out more about the Conversation Cafes, and the full timetable, on the Global Study Lounge webpages.

This event is free and open to everyone. Please sign up via the online form.

Hostile: University of Sanctuary film screening and panel discussion

Thursday 12 June, 17:15 - 19:30, Edith Morley, Van Emden Lecture Theatre

Join us for a film screening of Hostile, a deep dive into the UK's immigration system, followed by a Q+A panel discussion with Nick Harborne, Refugee Support Group, Dr. Alice Mpofu-Coles, University of Reading and other participants.

Hostile, is an award-winning feature-length documentary written, produced and directed by BAFTA and three-time BIFA-longlisted filmmaker Sonita Gale. It focuses on the UK’s complicated relationship with its migrant communities.

The event is free and open to all to attend. Book your ticket.

Reading Community Cup

Saturday 14 June, 10.00-16.00, University of Reading SportsPark soccer cages, Whiteknights Campus

The University has partnered with the Sanctuary Strikers and Berks & Bucks FA to host a 5 aside football tournament. The Community Cup celebrates unity and welcome sanctuary seekers in our community through football. Join us on the day to support the teams taking part!

Mindfulness Walk in the Harris Gardens

Monday 16 June, 15:00 - 16:00, meeting at the Chaplaincy Centre, Park House Lodge Whiteknights Campus, RG6 6EY

Join Mark Laynesmith, from the University of Reading's Chaplaincy, for a Mindfulness Walk of the Harris Gardens on Whiteknights campus.

The group will be meeting at the Chaplaincy at 15:00 and walking to the Harris Garden together. This walk will start with a short introduction to mindfulness, after which the participants will be invited to walk on their own, applying the Mindfulness principles they have learnt. Afterwards, everyone will come back together and have a discussion.

This event is free and open to everyone. Places are limited, please sign up via the online form to reserve your place.

'Where do we go from here?' Audio trail

Rank & File's 'Where do we go from here?' audio trail is available from the Museum of Rural Life (MERL), Reading Museum and online.

Reading’s museums hold a vast array of objects that represent the lives and of many different people. Like the diverse population of the town, these artefacts carry with them a diaspora of experiences. Hear the stories of these objects brought to life through the eyes of actors in Rank and File Theatre‘s ‘Where Do We Go From Here?’ project.

Rank & File is a Theatre of Sanctuary in Berkshire telling the untold stories of refugees, survivors of abuse and people with disabilities to inspire and educate.

Start exploring the audio trail online to find out more.

Trip to Windsor Castle (Students only)

Thursday 19 June, 11:00 - 17:00

Join us for a trip to Windsor Castle, with free tickets and free travel from Whiteknights Campus.

Spaces are limited, please sign up via the online form.

Please note: this event is only open to University of Reading students.

Fremont Film Screening at Reading Biscuit Factory

Thursday 19 June, 19:00 - 21:00, Reading Biscuit Factory, 1 Queens Walk Reading, RG1 7QE

To celebrate the Refugee Week, the University of Reading, in collaboration with Through a Different Lens, hosts special screening of film Fremont, premiered at Sundance and Edinburg International Film Festival in 2023.

Fremont tells the story of Donya, a young Afghan who moved to California after working as a translator for the American army. She now spends her days in a fortune cookie factory and her nights wrestling with insomnia and the guilt of her past. In a quiet act of reaching out, she sends an unconventional message to the world hidden in a cookie.

The event is free and open to everyone. Book your free ticket via online to reserve your place.

Yoga wellbeing sessions

19:00 - 20:00, Wednesday 18 June and Friday 20 June, SportsPark Studio 1

Come along to a wellbeing yoga session at the SportsPark, Whiteknights Campus.

This event is free and open to everyone. Places are limited, please sign up via the online form to reserve your place.

Are we there yet? Pop up performance at the MERL

Friday 20 June, 14:00 - 16:00, at the Museum of English Rural Life (MERL). Book your free ticket.

Join Rank & File Theatre for their pop-up tour along the GWR line bringing theatre, music and comedy to unexpected places. This travelling celebration explores this year’s impactful theme: Community As A Superpower:

"We’re conjuring a world less hostile – one story, one stop at a time. We know where we’re headed, the destination is clear, but there’s still work to do. So, pack your wonder, bring your hope, and come and find us along the line."

Rank & File is a Theatre of Sanctuary in Berkshire telling the untold stories of refugees, survivors of abuse and people with disabilities to inspire and educate.

Friday Get Together

Friday 20 June, 15:00 - 17:00, Global Study Lounge, Edith Morley

Join us for a Refugee Week themed Friday Get Together. Meet new people and take part in games and crafts.

This event is free and open to everyone. Please sign up via the online form.

Teaching with Hope: Trauma-informed approaches for Refugee Students

Learn how to support refugee students who have experienced trauma in a positive and hopeful way during this online event.

Friday 20 June, 11:00 - 12:00, Online

This 60-minute online session will introduce educators and support staff to trauma-informed approaches that foster safety, empathy, and inclusion for students from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds.

Whether you're a lecturer, advisor, or ally, this session will help you better understand the impact of displacement and how to create a learning environment that supports healing and success.
Please feel free to share this invitation with colleagues and networks who may be interested.

This event is free, register for your ticket online.

If you have questions about this event, please email Hilal Yildiz at: hyildiz@arden.ac.uk