Southampton City Libraries mark Refugee Week 14-20 June

To mark Refugee Week 14-20 June 2021, Southampton City Libraries will be putting on a series of online activities and are asking you to join in the simple act of reading a book reflecting the experiences of people seeking sanctuary. A free bookmark of recommended reads for children and adults is available from your local library

Refugee Week is a UK-wide festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. This year’s theme is ‘We cannot Walk Alone’ and is an invitation to connect with new people and walk side by side to support and strengthen communities.

The Southampton City Council Library service was recently awarded Library of Sanctuary status and they have an ongoing commitment to provide a safe and welcoming space to people seeking sanctuary and other new arrivals to communities in Southampton.

Working towards the award, library staff received Refugee, Asylum Seeker and Migrant training to ensure sanctuary seekers feel welcome in our libraries and staff have a greater understanding of their needs. Other activities have included working with partners such as the CLEAR Project who provide help and support to sanctuary seekers. Together they provided introductory tours of libraries, devised a special library membership and introduced a successful reading project which celebrated the reading achievements of sanctuary seekers and other learners.

Books to read reflecting the experiences of people seeking sanctuary

Pick-up a free bookmark of recommended reads for adults and children from your local library, or a specially curated list of titles can also be found at: http://soton.cc/RefugeeWeek2021

Online activities to mark Refugee Week

During the week the following activities will be available virtually on the Library Facebook page (@SouthamptonCityLibraries) and Twitter page (@SotonLibraries):

• Monday 14 June, 6pm – Follow the story of the people of Tristan Da Cunha, an island in the South Atlantic threatened with a volcanic eruption in 1961, whose residents found sanctuary in Calshot near Southampton.
• Tuesday 15 June, 10am – Tune into Children’s Storytime to hear library staff read the moving story of Lubna and Pebble by Wendy Meddour. Lubna’s best friend is a pebble. Lubna tells pebble everything. About home, about her brothers, about the war.
• Wednesday 16th June – On the Library Digital book service Borrowbox, you will find a great selection of books to read and listen to about refugee stories, experiences and journeys.

Councillor Spiros Vassiliou, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture & Heritage said: “Southampton is a diverse place for all and has been a welcoming port city for centuries. Our libraries are at the heart of our communities supporting anyone who aims to seek advice or sanctuary here. This Refugee Week I urge everyone to take the opportunity to learn more about the lives and often harrowing experiences of people seeking a place of sanctuary.”

Find more information about your local library.

Find out more about Refugee Week and Simple Acts.