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Gateshead celebrates Refugee Week with community, culture and compassion 

refugeeweek25

We are proud to be supporting Refugee Week 2025 (16 to 22 June), a UK-wide festival that celebrates the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.   

This year's theme, 'Community as a Superpower', celebrates the strength we find in one another and the power of working together. It invites everyone to recognise and build the connections that help us create welcoming, inclusive communities.  

Last month, an art exhibition, a collaborative project by Time to Help and Human Rights Solidarity, two UK-based charities working in humanitarian aid and human rights advocacy, was displayed in the Civic Centre and was officially opened by the Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Freda Geddes. The art exhibition, Humanity Cartoons, uses the universal language of art to raise awareness of the challenges faced by migrants and asylum seekers across the globe.    

Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Geddes, said: "In an increasingly unstable world, the art of the exhibition encapsulates both simple and extremely complicated social, political and human stories. It reminds us and raises our awareness of the challenges, fears and uncertainties of being a migrant and refugee."  

With over 1,200 works submitted by 768 artists from around the world, the exhibition presents a curated selection of powerful cartoon illustrations exploring the themes of migration, displacement, and human rights. Each piece tells a story of courage, hardship, injustice, and hope - amplifying the voices of those forced to flee their homes in search of safety and dignity.   

During this year's Refugee Week, a diverse programme of free inclusive events will take place across Gateshead, developed in collaboration with the council's Refugee and Migration team, local community groups, venues, artists and residents. Activities range from creative workshops and cultural exhibitions to family fun days, film screenings and public art.  

Councillor John Adams, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said: "Refugee Week is a time to come together in the welcoming spirit of community. Gateshead has a proud history of supporting people seeking safety and new beginnings. This year's theme reminds us of the strength we gain when we support each other, and the events reflect our shared commitment to compassion, inclusion and celebration."  

We recognise the courage and resilience of people forced to rebuild their lives. By supporting Refugee Week, we aim to bring people together to learn from one another, celebrate diversity, and find strength in what unites us - building our community superpowers.  

Find out about the events across the borough below.  

EventDate and timeLocationDescription
Superhero Picnic Party (SOLD OUT)Saturday 14 June, 11am to 3pmBensham Grove Community CentreFamily day with music, henna, face painting, sports, crafts, drama, and fancy dress. Drama workshops by Hamzeh Al Hussein. Wristband only.
Animated Films Screening + WorkshopMonday 16 June, 5 to 6pmBensham Grove Community CentreAnimated films by young sanctuary seekers, Q&A, refreshments, and art workshop with Sheryl Jenkins.
Comfrey Communi-Tea: Gateshead Library TakeoverTuesday 17 June, 11am to 2pmGateshead Central LibraryTea rituals, crafts, music, and children's activities. Free drop-in.
Chai, Samosa and SolidarityWednesday 18 June, 11am to 12.30pmMethodist Church, Whitehall Road, GatesheadCommunity gathering with chai and samosas. Booking required.
Volunteer Trip to Kirkley HallThursday 19 June (daytime)Kirkley HallNature outing for Comfrey volunteers. Details provided separately.
Comfrey Musicali-Tea: Garden PartyThursday 19 June, 5 to 8.30pmThe Comfrey Project, NE8 1QBEvening of music, global teas, food, and open mic.
Communi-Tea GardeningSaturday 21 June, 10.30am to 2.30pmThe Comfrey Project, NE8 1QBCommunity gardening with herbal teas and cultural storytelling.
Baltic Art Exhibition11 June to 6 JulyBaltic Centre for Contemporary Art"To Own Both Nothing and the Whole World" by Henna Asikainen and Roua Horanieh.
Midsummer Night EventSaturday 21 June, 4 to 9pmBaltic Centre for Contemporary ArtTalks, food, music, and storytelling with artists. Booking required.
NEDES Family Fun DaySunday 22 June, 12 to 3pm12 Gladstone Terrace, NE8 4DYYouth performances, art, caricature exhibition, food, and music.
Superpower Wall @ Family HubsMonday 16 to Friday 20 June, 9am to 3pmGateshead Family HubsAdd handprints and words to the Community Superpower wall.
United Voices of GatesheadAll weekGateshead Library and The GlasshouseVoice recordings from Gateshead schools celebrating linguistic diversity.
Special Objects From HomeAll weekOrbis Community, West StreetDisplay of cherished objects from sanctuary seekers.
refugeeweek25
10 June 2025

We are proud to be supporting Refugee Week 2025 (16 to 22 June), a UK-wide festival that celebrates the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.   

This year's theme, 'Community as a Superpower', celebrates the strength we find in one another and the power of working together. It invites everyone to recognise and build the connections that help us create welcoming, inclusive communities.  

Last month, an art exhibition, a collaborative project by Time to Help and Human Rights Solidarity, two UK-based charities working in humanitarian aid and human rights advocacy, was displayed in the Civic Centre and was officially opened by the Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Freda Geddes. The art exhibition, Humanity Cartoons, uses the universal language of art to raise awareness of the challenges faced by migrants and asylum seekers across the globe.    

Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Geddes, said: "In an increasingly unstable world, the art of the exhibition encapsulates both simple and extremely complicated social, political and human stories. It reminds us and raises our awareness of the challenges, fears and uncertainties of being a migrant and refugee."  

With over 1,200 works submitted by 768 artists from around the world, the exhibition presents a curated selection of powerful cartoon illustrations exploring the themes of migration, displacement, and human rights. Each piece tells a story of courage, hardship, injustice, and hope - amplifying the voices of those forced to flee their homes in search of safety and dignity.   

During this year's Refugee Week, a diverse programme of free inclusive events will take place across Gateshead, developed in collaboration with the council's Refugee and Migration team, local community groups, venues, artists and residents. Activities range from creative workshops and cultural exhibitions to family fun days, film screenings and public art.  

Councillor John Adams, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said: "Refugee Week is a time to come together in the welcoming spirit of community. Gateshead has a proud history of supporting people seeking safety and new beginnings. This year's theme reminds us of the strength we gain when we support each other, and the events reflect our shared commitment to compassion, inclusion and celebration."  

We recognise the courage and resilience of people forced to rebuild their lives. By supporting Refugee Week, we aim to bring people together to learn from one another, celebrate diversity, and find strength in what unites us - building our community superpowers.  

Find out about the events across the borough below.  

EventDate and timeLocationDescription
Superhero Picnic Party (SOLD OUT)Saturday 14 June, 11am to 3pmBensham Grove Community CentreFamily day with music, henna, face painting, sports, crafts, drama, and fancy dress. Drama workshops by Hamzeh Al Hussein. Wristband only.
Animated Films Screening + WorkshopMonday 16 June, 5 to 6pmBensham Grove Community CentreAnimated films by young sanctuary seekers, Q&A, refreshments, and art workshop with Sheryl Jenkins.
Comfrey Communi-Tea: Gateshead Library TakeoverTuesday 17 June, 11am to 2pmGateshead Central LibraryTea rituals, crafts, music, and children's activities. Free drop-in.
Chai, Samosa and SolidarityWednesday 18 June, 11am to 12.30pmMethodist Church, Whitehall Road, GatesheadCommunity gathering with chai and samosas. Booking required.
Volunteer Trip to Kirkley HallThursday 19 June (daytime)Kirkley HallNature outing for Comfrey volunteers. Details provided separately.
Comfrey Musicali-Tea: Garden PartyThursday 19 June, 5 to 8.30pmThe Comfrey Project, NE8 1QBEvening of music, global teas, food, and open mic.
Communi-Tea GardeningSaturday 21 June, 10.30am to 2.30pmThe Comfrey Project, NE8 1QBCommunity gardening with herbal teas and cultural storytelling.
Baltic Art Exhibition11 June to 6 JulyBaltic Centre for Contemporary Art"To Own Both Nothing and the Whole World" by Henna Asikainen and Roua Horanieh.
Midsummer Night EventSaturday 21 June, 4 to 9pmBaltic Centre for Contemporary ArtTalks, food, music, and storytelling with artists. Booking required.
NEDES Family Fun DaySunday 22 June, 12 to 3pm12 Gladstone Terrace, NE8 4DYYouth performances, art, caricature exhibition, food, and music.
Superpower Wall @ Family HubsMonday 16 to Friday 20 June, 9am to 3pmGateshead Family HubsAdd handprints and words to the Community Superpower wall.
United Voices of GatesheadAll weekGateshead Library and The GlasshouseVoice recordings from Gateshead schools celebrating linguistic diversity.
Special Objects From HomeAll weekOrbis Community, West StreetDisplay of cherished objects from sanctuary seekers.
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