Networking event: with focus on Support to local refugee communities in Milton Keynes
Thank you to everyone that attended our event – it was fantastic to see you and to come together to share experiences and ideas about how we can all work together to support our local refugee communities in Milton Keynes! We will be updating this blog with information, resources and photographs from the event soon. A sneak peak to a few photographs here:
What was the event…
In collaboration with Eden Project Communities as part of their Month of Community and with support from a number of local VCSE organisations, Community Action: MK is delighted to host a special networking and community event dedicated to the Refugee Community. The event will be on Wednesday 28th June, hosted at the wonderful space at the YMCA in Central Milton Keynes. The aim is to bring together the local Voluntary sector and identify how best to connect with and support our refugee communities in Milton Keynes.
The event will feature presentations from local organisations that have been working closely with and providing support to our local refugee communities in Milton Keynes, including those from Afghanistan and Ukraine. We are delighted to be joined by the Ukraine Appeal charity, who have been galvanising support for the local Ukrainian community in the City, and from the Volunteers at The Mead Centre in Newport Pagnell, who have been supporting the Afghan women and their families staying in one of the local holding hotels in Milton Keynes. We will also be joined by a local/regional team from the British Red Cross, who have been a life-line for many refugee and asylum seekers coming to our region to seek safety and support.
They will be sharing their first hand experiences of providing support to those that seek sanctuary in Milton Keynes and will support some of the refugee community members to talk at the event and share their lived experience stories too.
We know that there are many more local voluntary organisations (as well public and health sector agencies) that have been providing services and activities tailored to meeting the needs of our local refugee communities. We hope to shine the light on their work too as well as enable networking and collaboration within the wider VCSE sector and other sectors in the City.
There will be a workshop and a discussion of how our local VCSE sector and other key agencies can work together in a joined up way to provide the best possible support to our local refugee communities and give them the chance to rebuild their lives, share their culture and enable them to thrive in our City.
There will also be the opportunity for the local refugee community members to join us on the day and engage with the local charities and services to find out about their services and volunteering opportunities etc.
And finally, a very special part of the event will be delivered by the local charity, Middle Eastern Cultural Group, and their special live performance of the “Broken Wings“play.
Based on real life experiences, the performance follows the journey of a teenage girl fleeing conflict and eventually arriving in the UK. Drawing attention to the trauma refugee children have experienced through their journeys and the challenges they face in their new life in the UK.
More details about the event and its programme will be updated in this blog and through our newsletter, and social media.
You can follow us on @ComactMK/ facebook.com/CommunityActionMK.
We hope to see you there!
A week on before the event, there will also be a gathering at MK Rose – on Thursday 20th June at World Refugee Day. Find out more here.
Volunteering at the Event
If you’re interested in volunteering at this event, we’re seeking volunteer translators in Ukrainian/ Farsi/ Dari or Pashto.
Or are you a keen photographer? We’re also in need of someone to capture this special event!
Please email volunteering@communityactionmk.org for more details.