What is it and when is it?
Refugee Week is the UK’s largest arts and cultural festival celebrating the contributions, creativity, and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Held annually in June to coincide with World Refugee Day on 20 June, the week features nationwide events including film screenings, art exhibitions, and community gatherings designed to promote understanding and connection. The week aims to foster a culture of welcome, counter negative narratives, and build understanding of why people are forced to flee their homes. Refugee Week takes place between 15 and 21 June, and this year’s theme is ‘Courage’, to honour the resilience of refugees seeking safety and everyday acts of bravery to build new lives.
What is the definition of a refugee?
A refugee is an individual who has been forced to flee their home country due to war, violence, or a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, a refugee is someone who is outside their country of nationality and is unable or unwilling to return due to the severe threat of persecution. They have a right to international protection and cannot be forcibly returned to a country where their life or freedom is in danger.
What are Kent doing for Refugee Week?
In April 2026, Kent hosted FREEDOM, an innovative participatory visual arts project by Surya Chandra, Artistic Director of Graduate Theatre Company Unity Arts Collective. The project brought together refugees, people seeking asylum, migrants, students and community members to explore the meaning of freedom through creative expression. Through a series of workshops, participants created sculptural human figures representing emotions connected to journeys, uncertainty, hope, resilience and belonging. FREEDOM has returned to Jarman Studio 1 and will be held there between 15 and 17 June, before moving to Templeman Library between 19 and 21 June.
What else is happening for Refugee Week?
From 15 to 21 June, Canterbury Cathedral are marking Refugee Week with hourly prayers for refugees, a designated Chapel in the Cathedral, and two special services of Eucharist. This has been organised in collaboration with The Social Justice Network and the Kent Refugee Action Network (KRAN). Rochester Cathedral are also hosting an event with KRAN called Transferring Skills, which will take place on Wednesday 17 June between 6:30 and 7:30pm in the Ithmar Chapel at Rochester Cathedral. During the event, Ukrainian paintings conservator and icon painter Valeriia Kravchenko will talk about her work as a refugee from Ukraine in 2022 to her current role at London’s National Gallery.
Support for students who are care-experienced, estranged, refugees, asylum seekers, or carers
Tristan Ireson-Howells is the Senior Welfare Adviser for the Student Support & Wellbeing (SSW) team and can provide support for students through face to face and Teams meetings to talk through issues affecting studies and wellbeing. To get in touch with Tristan, you can email T.Ireson-Howells@Kent.ac.uk or visit SSW in the Eliot Extension. There is information about support for Care-experienced and Estranged Students on the Kent Students’ Union website and information about support for students who are care-experienced, estranged, or carers on the University of Kent website.
One year of ‘University of Sanctuary status’
The University of Kent is celebrating one year of being awarded ‘University of Sanctuary’ status. In the last year, Kent have deepened their commitment to refugees and people seeking asylum through the following initiatives:
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In October 2025, Kent raised Voices for Sanctuary in Canterbury Cathedral, with performances from the Kent Gospel Choir, Canterbury Christ Church University Gospel Choir, and Clive Brown & Urban Sound. The experiences of resilient Sanctuary students were shared by special guests BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ and Kent alumna Fee Mak, actor and KRAN mentor Simon Paisley-Day, and gospel performer and broadcaster Muiywa Olarewaju OBE, who helped amplify these powerful stories.
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In February 2026, Kent students took to the Kent catwalk in Fenwick clothing, alongside their own ASPIRE brands, revisiting iconic looks and sounds from the past six decades at Threads and Legends to raise funds for the Sanctuary Fund and the Kent Opportunity Fund.
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The University have launched the Beyond Sanctuary Hardship Fund, helping students cover essential study costs such as field trips, specialist equipment, course materials, and other academic expenses.
What future support is Kent offering?
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From October 2026, all Sanctuary Scholars will receive free on-campus accommodation throughout their studies. Scholars who gain settled status while studying will be eligible for reduced accommodation fees, reducing financial barriers and providing greater stability so they can focus on their studies and make the most of their time at Kent.
- Through Kent’s ongoing partnership with Refugees at Home, students who require safe accommodation can be assisted before beginning their course, during vacation periods, and after graduation.
- The Alsama Project is an international non-profit organisation providing education, skills development and opportunities for refugee and displaced young people, particularly those who have missed out on formal schooling. A key part of its work is the G12++ qualification, developed with the University of Cambridge, which enables students to enter higher education without a recognised secondary-school qualification and skilled employment. The University of Kent will recognise the G12++ qualification as a route into higher education and create at least two annual fee-waiver scholarships for refugee and displaced students. Kent will also offer visa and immigration guidance, guarantee access to campus accommodation, and help talented young people affected by displacement to access and succeed in higher education.
What support can I offer?
You can show support for Refugee Week by participating in cultural events and exhibitions that highlight the journey and positive contributions of refugees. You can also educate yourself about the challenges refugees face, support refugee organisations, and engage in discussions and forums about refugee-related topics. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), has a reading list if you would like to learn more and Refugee Tales provides stories of people’s lived experiences and information on walking in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers. You can also support UK charities such as Refugee Action, Refugee Council, and Breaking Barriers. Other Kent-based charities that support refugees and asylum seekers include the Kent Refugee Action Network (KRAN) and Canterbury Welcomes Refugees. The Refugee Week website also lists lots of ways you can provide support.
What societies or networks can I join?
There are a number of Kent Students’ Union societies you can join, including Books Beyond Borders and Student Action for Refugees. There is also the International Students Network.
How do I report an incident?
Students and staff can report an incident such as harassment or bullying through Report + Support. You can either make a named report and speak to an adviser or give an anonymous report. We also recommend downloading the Safe Zone app, as this is a free and simple way to summon first-aid, security or safety assistance via your mobile phone.