A number of events were held between Monday 16th and Friday 20th June 2025 to celebrate Refugee Week in Barnsley.
On Monday 16th June 2025, Education Learning Support Hub held a successful and busy open morning. On Tuesday 17th June 2025 40 people saw a powerful performance of ‘How To Be Lucky’,a play exploring the contemporary reality of being a refugee in Britain today. Livia Barrera hosted an open mic session to 35 people at the library@lightbox on the same evening.
Ruth Mariana was one of the many people who sang ,read poetry or presented at this event.
Winners of the 2025 School Art and Poetry Competition were announced at a presentation in the Council Chamber on June 18th 2025 attended by over 40 people.
Penistone St John’s Primary School
Penistone St John’s Primary School were presented with a Certificate as Barnsley’s first School of Sanctuary at the same event by the Mayor of Barnsley, Cllr David Leach. Staff and pupils from the School were present to receive this well-deserved award.
Barnsley Libraries
Barnsley Libraries were awarded Libraries of Sanctuary following a rigorous assessment process involving national City of Sanctuary officers, other libraries and representatives with lived experience.
Barnsley Museums
Barnsley Museums were presented with a Museums of Sanctuary Award on 18th June 2025 following a rigorous local assessment process involving two BBCoS officers, one a person with lived experience.
BMBC Press Release
There were also craft activities and a poetry workshop in the afternoon.
The week ended with a free showing on Friday 18th June 2025, of the comedy Freemont about an Afghan refugee’s experience in California.
Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity, and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Founded in the UK in 1998, it takes place every June alongside World Refugee Day (June 2020).
