Swansea Refugee Week 2025 brought together a powerful partnership of local organisations to host a vibrant week-long programme of events at The Collaboration Station, celebrating the contributions, creativity, and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary in Swansea.

SASS was a partner, alongside Ethnic Youth Support Team (EYST), Swansea City of Sanctuary (SCoS), Swansea Council, Swansea Council for Voluntary Service (SCVS), Swansea University.

The report below was written by our Activities Leader, Diana, who was part of the working group involved in planning activities throughout the week.

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First of all, I would like to thank the Trustees for the opportunity and trust given to me to take part in Refugee Week. It was a valuable experience of shared learning a chance to exchange ideas, connect with others, and bring meaningful activities to life. Our team was proud to be involved.

This strong participation reflected the enthusiasm and commitment of our volunteers and highlighted the importance of working alongside other organisations to create welcoming and inclusive spaces.

1. SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES (SASS-LED EVENTS)

SASS led and supported several activities throughout the week. The following events and contributions were coordinated by SASS:

General and Volunteer Activities

• On Monday 16th, SASS was invited to speak as part of the opening ceremony. Diana gave a short welcome and introduction to the photography and art exhibition.
• A total of 12 SASS volunteers supported different areas throughout the week, including:
  • Welcome desk
  • Snakes and Ladders tournament
  • Art workshop
  • Childcare and creative play area
  • Kitchen support and food service
  • Hosting our SASS volunteer information table
  • Setting up of space and clearing away at end of week
• On Thursday 19th, the main celebration day, we welcomed around 100 people, including families, partners, and community members. Diana acted as co-compere at the closing event alongside Tom Avery from Swansea City of Sanctuary.

Photography and Art Exhibition – displayed all week

• SASS invited members of our community to share a photo that shows something powerful in their life: a place, a moment, a feeling, or something that makes them feel strong or connected to their community.

• We collected around 50 photographs during the week, from which:
  • 18 were printed by Swansea Council
  • The remaining photographs were printed locally, funded through donations in support of Swansea Refugee Week
• All photo and art displays have been safely stored for future use.
• The exhibition included photos from volunteers, staff, the local community, and partners involved in:
  • Covid Chronicles from the Margins
  • Identity Over Time
  • City Centre Community Art Project

Art Exhibition (Adults and Children) – displayed from Tuesday

• Glynn Vivian Gallery brought 20 pieces of artwork which were co-produced with SASS from different community projects, creating a creative and welcoming atmosphere.
• We also set up a children’s art corner, featuring drawings and paintings from the Welcome to Play project.

Snakes and Ladders Tournament – Tuesday 17th

• We hosted a fun Snakes and Ladders game, with a winner from each table (3 tables), followed by a final round to choose the overall winner.
• All participants received a small token of appreciation, and the final winner received a voucher prize.
• City of Sanctuary UK visited during the Snakes & Ladders tournament and were really impressed by the game, they would love to buy copies (when available) and would like to use them for interactive training sessions across the country.

Art Workshop (Adults and Children) – Tuesday 17th

• Led by Mary, this workshop included creative activities that children and parents enjoyed together.
• Parents appreciated having a calm space while children actively participated in the artwork.
• Artwork explored the theme of ‘Community as a Superpower’

2. HOW SASS MEMBERS BENEFITED

The week offered many positive experiences for SASS members. They had opportunities to connect, feel valued, and take part actively. Benefits included:

• Feeling included and proud to represent their community
• Gaining confidence through volunteering roles
• Enjoying cultural exchange and creativity
• Building connections in a safe and supportive environment

Feedback from participants:

• “It was lovely to see everyone together.”
• “Thank you for making us feels important.”
• “My children loved the activities.”

3. OUTCOMES FOR SASS AS AN ORGANISATION

Refugee Week had a positive impact on SASS in several ways:

• Strengthened partnerships with other organisations
• Improved visibility in the local community
• Inspired new ideas for future events and outreach
• Encouraged new people to volunteer and get involved

4. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NEXT YEAR

• Begin planning and promotion earlier, so more families can participate (Include more organisations, even those based outside the Swansea city centre.)
• Arrange transport options for events outside Swansea (because many refugees have moved far from Swansea, such as to Gorseinon)
• Ensure Welcome to Play staff are available throughout the week their presence helped increase attendance and supported children’s engagement
• Use different drop-in centres to host activities so people can learn about available services and spaces. This is especially helpful for new arrivals.
• Consider including a community trip, for example to a local park or nearby beach, to support integration in natural, relaxing settings
• Explore using the Cranes building for some classes (e.g. ALW), as it offers space for both adults and children and could be an ideal environment for learning and support