Refugee Week 2026 is taking place from 15th to 21st June and this year it marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention – the cornerstone of international refugee protection. For 75 years, this landmark agreement has defined what it means to be a refugee, outlined their rights, and set the global standards that ensure they are treated with dignity and humanity. Its legacy is measured not in legal text, but in the millions of lives it has saved.
This year, the theme for Refugee Week 2026 is Courage. Inspired by the lives of people seeking sanctuary, it celebrates the courage that refugees show every day – facing unknown journeys, rebuilding lives, and stepping into an uncertain world. Courage is not only theirs to carry: Refugee Week invites all of us to share in it – to welcome, to connect, and to stand for what we believe in. During Refugee Week this year, we will be providing the space and opportunity for our clients to share their stories of courage in a safe and welcoming environment.
During Refugee Week this year, please consider donating food, toiletries and finance which are all very much needed. We continue to support around 500 individuals and families and we could not provide this support without your generous donations. Items most urgently needed can be found here.
Find out more about Refugee Week here
On 12th May, a successful event took place at St Charles’ Parish in Gosforth, exploring the lived experience of refugees, including their challenges and successes. In addition to refugees sharing their experiences, several organisations were represented, such as the Refugee Project and West End Refugee Service (WERS). The event was very well attended and we thank all those who contributed to it.
As reported in previous newsletters, it can be difficult for our clients to access advice to navigate the asylum system, and there are few organisations that provide this kind of support. Azad, our Project Co-ordinator, recently met with a representative from WERS who have agreed to provide additional support to our clients. We are very pleased that a member of the WERS team will come to the project on a weekly basis to provide general advice to our clients.
National Volunteers’ Week also falls in the first week of June. This provides an ideal opportunity to recognise and celebrate the huge contribution made by our fantastic volunteers. Without your ongoing support, our work would not be possible. Thank you to you all!
We continue to rely on the generosity of individuals and parishes for donations for which we are incredibly grateful. We are thankful for and continue to rely on your generous financial support for our work. Details of our bank account (DHN Justice & Peace Refugee Project) can be found on our webpage. Please consider Gift-Aiding – a Gift Aid Declaration form is available here
For more details about our work and how you can assist, please contact our Project Co-ordinator at jp.refugeeproject@diocesehn.org.uk