This week is International Refugee Week, (16 to 22 June), a worldwide celebration of the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
This year marks the event’s 27th anniversary with the theme of “Community as a Superpower.”
Dorset Council’s Youth Voice Team and the Refugee Resettlement Team are proud to present Refugee Week 2025: Community as a Superpower, a special event at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery in Dorchester celebrating the power of community in supporting refugees.
The exhibition is running from 16 to 27 June and features art created by refugees in Dorset. Everyone is welcome.
There are about 1,500 refugees living in Dorset. The majority are from Ukraine, but we also have refugees who have come from Afghanistan, including those who served alongside our armed forces, Syria and other war-torn countries who have fled due to persecution in their own countries. The majority have resettled in Dorset under Home Office Resettlement Schemes which offer a safe and legal route to vulnerable refugees in need of protection.
Most of the refugee families have been through great hardship and settling in a new country is a huge challenge for most.
Through art, sport and cultural activities, Refugee Week 2025 hopes to promote a shared understanding and compassion as well as the impact of collective kindness, shared generosity, and the strength found in unity.
The Dorset Welcome Fund has helped many refugees begin new lives in Dorset with funding allocated to local community projects and charities that support refugees to build a new life.
Many refugees have also found employment, built businesses, support other refugees, organised local events, volunteer in the community and share their experience, skills and knowledge.
Thankfully, there are also many local groups supporting refugees in towns and villages across Dorset. For a full list of groups, events and social networks, check out the Help and Kindness website.
Mr S Farrell – Inclusion Support Officer at Mears Group PLC, said:
“Mears have provided Education and Welfare to newly arrived foreign nationals at Chickerell Camp. The local community have kindly handed in hundreds of donations containing clothing, toys, books, baby items etc. This has made our refugees feel welcome and many now go out into the local community for school, exercise, food and other activities.
Monica, who works with refugees in Sherborne, said: “It is a privilege to be able to support these families who have been forced to flee the country and people they love. Their resilience, courage, friendly nature and desire to make the best of their current situation is humbling.”
Cllr Ryan Hope, Portfolio Holder for Customer, Culture and Community Engagement at Dorset Council said:
“Dorset communities and residents have generously offered their support to provide sanctuary, assistance and friendship, including opening their homes to Ukrainian refugees over the last few years. Many of the refugees are now in employment and making a valuable contribution to their local communities.
“By working with local partners and the voluntary sector, we will continue to support refugees to rebuild their lives in Dorset.
“In a world of ongoing conflicts and crises, it’s more important than ever for us to have compassion”.
