Refugee Week 2026: Celebrating Courage

15 June 2026

From 15 - 21 June, communities across the UK will mark Refugee Week 2026, the world's largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.

This year's theme is Courage.

For refugees around the world, courage is often a daily necessity, whether facing unknown journeys, learning new languages, navigating unfamiliar systems, or building a new life in an unfamiliar place. 

Refugee Week also encourages all of us to consider the courage found in everyday actions: welcoming others, sharing stories, trying something new, standing up for what we believe in, and helping to build stronger, more connected communities. 

This year is particularly significant as it marks 75 years since the Refugee Convention, the landmark international agreement that established the right to seek protection and safety for those forced to flee their homes. 

Across the Vale, colleagues, schools and communities are marking Refugee Week not only by raising awareness, but by taking practical action to support people seeking sanctuary. 

Diverse, the Council's staff network for colleagues from Global Majority backgrounds and allies, has been leading a collection of essential toiletries for adults and children as part of Refugee Week. 

Thanks to the generosity of colleagues across the Council, a wide range of donations were collected and distributed with wellbeing packs on 15 June to people seeking refuge and asylum here in the Vale. 

Diverse received a huge number of donations, with products for all genders and ages, as well as generous donations from our Period Dignity leads.  

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the collection and helped make a practical difference to local individuals and families. 

Schools across the Vale are also using Refugee Week as an opportunity to help pupils learn about sanctuary, belonging and inclusion, while taking positive action within their communities. 

St Joseph's School is supporting Trinity Church in Adamsdown through a toiletries collection and is holding activities throughout the week, including a whole-school assembly led by the Diversity Group, an assembly delivered by Oasis, live events for younger pupils, classroom learning activities and a school-wide art competition inspired by this year's theme of Courage. 

Pupils will also be encouraged to continue their learning at home by completing one of the A Day of Welcome family challenges. 

St Illtyd's is celebrating Refugee Week through a dedicated Sanctuary Week programme focused on Courage. 

The school is working with local faith and community leaders, including representatives from Bethel Baptist Church and the charity Oasis, to help pupils better understand the experiences of people seeking safety and sanctuary. 

As part of its Refugee Week celebrations, St David's will host a community coffee morning, bringing together families, governors and local partners. 

Pupils will showcase artwork, writing and projects inspired by the stories and experiences of people seeking sanctuary, while the school choir will perform songs exploring themes of hope, belonging and welcome. 

Ysgol Y Ddraig Primary School is marking Refugee Week by taking part in live lessons through VNET Education as part of A Day of Welcome. Pupils are also connecting the week to their current inquiry topic on creativity through dance, exploring how dance can help people celebrate and preserve their culture and heritage. 

These activities complement the work that takes place across the organisation throughout the year. Many of our staff provide direct support to people seeking sanctuary, and the Council has also applied to become a Council of Sanctuary, a national movement that promotes a culture of welcome, challenges discrimination and helps improve outcomes for people fleeing war and persecution. 

You can find out more about Refugee Week and access a range of resources on the Refugee Week website.