it's refugee week 2025

This week is Refugee Week 2025 and we are delighted to be celebrating it again this year. Refugee Week is an important week in asphaleia's calendar following over two decades of working with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) and providing services for them such as 16+ accommodation, post-16 education, and mental health support.

Over the years we have heard many stories and met many incredible young people who have overcome big challenges whilst settling in the UK after facing trauma and loss. We continue to be in awe of what these young people achieve and want to celebrate them, their resilience and courage as well as the amazing skills and perspectives that asylum seekers bring to our nation.

refugee week 2025 theme

Community as a superpower!

“We can begin the process of making community wherever we are. We can begin by sharing a smile, a warm greeting, a bit of conversation; by doing a kind deed or by acknowledging kindness offered to us.”- bell hooks

Artwork my Manjit Thapp

Communities can bring people together. Bridging divides and offering support. Spaces of resilience and places for healing. During Refugee Week 2025, everyone is invited to spend time with friends and build new connections in and beyond our neighbourhoods. From communal meals and open air film screenings, to football matches and music making, let’s share the feelings of welcome and belonging. Listening, learning, laughing together.  

activities at asphaleia

Following a community-focused Mental Health week in May, we are inviting young people to take part in some activities together to support them to build friendships and feel part of the communities around them. One of our House Support Workers is running a weekly football session to give young people some downtime in the evenings during the summer.

asphaleia young people have also been invited to attend a boxing session with PT2 Fitness who, in partnership with Hummingbird Project, are hosting boxing sessions this week for refugees.