Refugee Week 2025

Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary

Established in 1998 in the UK, Refugee Week takes place every year around World Refugee Day (20th June) and has since grown into a global movement. Refugee Week will run from Monday 16 to Sunday 22 June and the theme of Refugee Week 2025 is 'Community as a Superpower'. Find out more: refugeeweek.org.uk/theme-of-refugee-week-2025

Community is the incredible everyday. Ordinary and extraordinary. Simple acts of shared generosity. Kindness multiplied to become an unstoppable force!

There is an abundance of amazing community support across Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside, and we’re proud to be among those supporting Refugee Week, standing in solidarity with refugees and people seeking sanctuary across our boroughs. From practical support, safe spaces, and a warm welcome to those rebuilding their lives, we celebrate their dedication, compassion, and commitment to inclusion.

Supporting connection with our Networks

At Action Together, we host regular Networks and Forums in Rochdale and Tameside that bring together organisations and services who support asylum seekers and refugees in our communities.

Learn more about our Rochdale Refugee and Asylum Seeker Multi-Agency Forum. Our next meeting date is Tuesday 24 June, register here: June Forum Registration

Find out about our Tameside Asylum Seeker and Refugee Network

Refugee Week 2025 Community as a SuperPower illustration

Our information below captures some of the amazing events happening throughout the week in our communities, and the support that continues throughout the year. We hope you find this inspiring and can get involved in whatever way you can.

Oldham Events and Activities

OrganisationEvent InformationDate/TimeLocation
Celebrating Refugee Week
At Oldham Library
A free event for Oldham residents, old and new. Come and join us at Oldham Library to celebrate Refugee Week with a light lunch, crafts, games and information stalls. Find out more HEREMonday 16 June, 11am to 1pmOldham Library & Lifelong Learning Centre, Greaves Street
Oldham OL1 1AL
Get Oldham Working: Working Wardrobe Outlet for RefugeesRefugees will be able to speak with advisors and access Employment and Training advice, and chose some suitable clothing for interview. Tea and biscuits will be available.Tuesday 17 June, 10am to 2pmShop 11, Tommyfield Market, Albion Street, Oldham Town Centre
SBC Theatre, Moomins-inspired Afternoon

Join SBC Theatre for an afternoon of craft and creativity inspired by Moomins 80 alongside friends at Oldham Theatre Workshop at Oldham Library.

Everybody is welcome, refreshments provided

Any questions or access requirements please contact: chelsea@sbctheatre.co.uk

Wednesday 18 June, 2pm to 5pmSBC Theatre, Greaves Street, Oldham OL1 1AL
British Red Cross Refugee Week PartyJoin in for a celebration of different cultures with food, music and dance, crafts, henna and face painting.Wednesday 18 June, 10am to 2pmOldham Baptist Church, OL1 1BA

Rochdale Events and Activities

OrganisationEvent InformationDate/TimeLocation
Rochdale Refugee and Asylum Seeker Multi-Agency Forum

June meeting of our quarterly Rochdale Refugee and Asylum Seeker Multi-Agency Forum.

Register HERE

Tuesday 24 June, 10am to 11:30amRochdale Ukranian Club, 15 Mere St
Rochdale
OL11 1HJ
Cartwheel Arts Crafting Heritage ExhibitionAs part of Refugee Week and Rochdale Town of Culture, you are invited to an exhibition showcasing the incredible work of our Crafting Heritage trainees alongside pieces from talented local primary school students.Wednesday 18 to Sunday 22 June, 9:30am to 5pmThe Exchange, Rochdale Town Hall
Rochdale's Dumpling DayCoinciding with the start of Refugee week, Rochdale’s Dumpling Day offers a feast of activities and flavours. Sample an international variety of dumplings, join in with creative workshops and hear from traditional musicians. So gather your friends and family for a day of celebration, honouring Rochdale’s diverse communities, culinary heritage and universal love of dumplings!Saturday 14 June, 11am to 3pmUkranian Centre, Mere Street, Rochdale OL11 1HJ
Rochdale AFC Hope FootballRochdale AFC Community Trust welcomes Asylum Seekers and all refugees to Hope Football Club. They are holding a football tournament on Wednesday 18 June, and they also hold weekly sessions fro 16+ every Wednesday, 5pm-7pm. Find out more: www.rochdaleafccommunity.org/hope-football/Wednesday 18 June, 5pm to 7pmKick Pitch, 
Crown Oil Arena
OL11 5DR
British Red CrossJoin us for Hot Food and Refreshments, Arts and Crafts, Henna, Free Raffle and Prizes, Circus Skill, Mapping, Games and Live Music.Monday 16 June, 10am to 2pmThe Parish Church of Saint Mary in The Baum, 2 St Mary's Gate, Rochdale OL16 1AP
Caring and Sharing-RochdaleCaring and Sharing Rochdale are hosting a special event on social bonding and community connection, followed by a lovely shared meal.Thursday, 19 June, 11m to 1pm78 Yorkshire Street, Rochdale OL16 1JU

Tameside Events and Activities

OrganisationEvent InformationDate/TimeLocation
British Red CrossCelebrate with the British Red Cross hub in Tameside and enjoy different fun activities including; knitting, painting, nail art, henna art, trivia competitions, refreshments, a nice hot meal and dessertsThursday 19 June, 10am to 2pmDrop-in at Ashton Church of the Nazarene, 230 Stamford Street OL6 7LJ

Events across Greater Manchester

OrganisationEvent InformationDate/TimeLocation
Community as a Superpower at the Whitworth 

Gallery of SanctuaryManchester Refugee Support NetworkKaskoSan Roma Charity and Afrocats invite you to join them this Refugee Week, and Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, as they celebrate the everyday magic when communities come together in creating this year’s Refugee Week theme 'Community as a Superpower'. There's something for all ages including art workshops, performances, and pop-up exhibitions.

Get free tickets HERE

Saturday 21 June, 11am to 4pmThe Whitworth, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6ER
Manchester Central Library Saturday Film Club: Refugee Week Special

Saturday Film Club: Refugee Week Special

Join Manchester Central Library for a fantastic afternoon for the whole family dedicated to Refugee Week 2025. Watch a family favourite on the big screen and join themed craft sessions. Free entry, just drop in!

Saturday 21 June, 1pm to 4pmManchester Central Library, M2 5PD
North West Regional Strategic Migration Partnership (RSMP)

Lunch and Learn

For refugee week 2025 the North West Regional Strategic Migration Partnership (RSMP) are holding a series of lunch and learn sessions.

This years theme is community as a superpower and they would like to invite you, the superheroes working in our communities, along to their Asylum and Resettlement Session. Find out more and register HERE

Friday 12 June, 11:30am to 1:30pmOnline

Find Funding for Work Supporting Refugees

GrantBrief DetailsGrant AmountDeadline
Islamic Relief UK Grants Programme

This fund aims to support projects that empower and increase support for marginalised and vulnerable people and their communities across the following themes:

  • Build greater resilience to poverty
  • Combat challenges faced by women
  • Supporting refugees and asylum-seeking populations
  • Promote and facilitate the development of young people and their families

Find out more: actiontogether.org.uk/islamic-relief-uk-grants-programme

Grants of between £1,000 to more than £40,000 are availableMonday 7 July 2025
Strategic Legal Fund

The Strategic Legal Fund (SLF) for migrant groups in the UK is a fund to support legal work in the UK that goes beyond securing justice for an individual and makes a significant contribution to law, practice and procedures to uphold and promote the rights of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants more generally.

Find out more: actiontogether.org.uk/strategic-legal-fund-2

The maximum grant for any one application is £30,000, however, groups are encouraged to apply for lesser amounts.

The average grant size is around £12,000.

Monday 16 June 2025, and Monday 1 September 2025

Relevant Training Offers

Course and ProviderBrief DetailsDate/TimeLink

Shelter

SHM Learning Event: Understanding Immigration Status in Housing Support: A Practical Workshop for Frontline Services

An interactive workshop for professionals exploring immigration and housing eligibility, with an emphasis on practical application and frontline support.

This online learning workshop is the first event funded through the MHCLG Supporting Homeless Migrants (SHM) Training Package. The SHM programme will provide a wide range of learning and training resources to strengthen the capabilities of frontline staff and volunteers regarding the support needs, rights and entitlements of different migrants experiencing rough sleeping in England.

This training is fully funded by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and is free to attend for staff working for eligible organisations.

Monday 30 June 2025, 10am to 1pm

Book your place(s) through their training portal HERE

You will be asked to progress from the basket through the checkout process, though you won’t be charged