Images © Big Leaf Foundation
Refugee Week 2026 at Big Leaf
June 2026
This year’s Refugee Week theme was Courage. During the week, young people, volunteers, staff, and community members came together to explore what courage means through creativity, conversation, community sport, music and food.
From sharing personal reflections on social media and welcoming guests for afternoon tea, to taking part in sporting activities and gathering for an evening of music and community, young people led the way in bringing this year's theme to life. Here are some highlights from across the week.
From sharing personal reflections on social media and welcoming guests for afternoon tea, to taking part in sporting activities and gathering for an evening of music and community, young people led the way in bringing this year's theme to life. Here are some highlights from across the week.
Youth-led storytelling on Courage
We developed a youth-led social media storytelling project, exploring this theme through the question "What does courage mean to you?"
The project was led by two young people connected to Big Leaf, F and R, who worked with Sarah, our Communications Lead, to shape the idea and bring it to life through our social media channels. R also volunteers with Big Leaf on social media, and both F and R are involved in different Big Leaf spaces and activities.
We started with conversations about courage and what it means in everyday life. F and R then spoke with young people across Big Leaf spaces, inviting them to share their thoughts and experiences. Working alongside Sarah, they helped shape how these contributions could be represented in a way that felt respectful, accurate, and true to what was shared.
The project resulted in four pieces of social media content, which you can explore using the image links below.
The project was led by two young people connected to Big Leaf, F and R, who worked with Sarah, our Communications Lead, to shape the idea and bring it to life through our social media channels. R also volunteers with Big Leaf on social media, and both F and R are involved in different Big Leaf spaces and activities.
We started with conversations about courage and what it means in everyday life. F and R then spoke with young people across Big Leaf spaces, inviting them to share their thoughts and experiences. Working alongside Sarah, they helped shape how these contributions could be represented in a way that felt respectful, accurate, and true to what was shared.
The project resulted in four pieces of social media content, which you can explore using the image links below.
Voices from the project
We asked R and F to reflect on their experience of the project.
“Working on this project was a very unique and beautiful experience as we reached to young people to understand the view of courage. I loved it so much as it made me feel close to others by hearing and reading their stories. I'm so thankful for all participants and Sarah for this lovely experience.” R
“Leading on this project was meaningful. I learned how to organise work and listen to my team. Talking about courage showed me how strong people can be in hard times. Working together improved my skills and made me more understanding.” F
“Working on this project was a very unique and beautiful experience as we reached to young people to understand the view of courage. I loved it so much as it made me feel close to others by hearing and reading their stories. I'm so thankful for all participants and Sarah for this lovely experience.” R
“Leading on this project was meaningful. I learned how to organise work and listen to my team. Talking about courage showed me how strong people can be in hard times. Working together improved my skills and made me more understanding.” F
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Courage in the classroomOur ESOL learners marked Refugee Week by welcoming guests for a traditional afternoon tea.
The day began with learners baking fresh scones, which were served with jam and cream alongside traditional sandwiches. The afternoon created an opportunity to bring people together, share conversation, and celebrate the achievements of our learners. Students also presented work they had created around the theme of courage. They took turns reading lines from the poem “On the Move Again” before sharing decorated letters spelling out the word “courage” and reflecting on what the theme meant to them personally. |
An evening of courage
Our Refugee Week community event brought together young people, volunteers, staff and community members for an evening of art, music, conversation and food.
The day began with our Music Connects group exploring what courage means to them and transforming those conversations into an original music piece. Young people also created “Cups of Courage” from felted wool, choosing colours that reflected their own experiences and interpretations of courage.
T took the lead in the kitchen, preparing a delicious Eritrean sharing meal with support from our Caseworker, Ro.
In the evening, guests gathered around the table to share food and take part in conversations about courage led by our Young Leaders. The Cups of Courage were displayed alongside the young people's reflections, allowing visitors to learn more about the stories and meanings behind each creation.
The evening concluded with a powerful ten-minute performance featuring original music and spoken word developed by the young people throughout the day. Drawing on their reflections on courage, the performance provided a moving end to a celebration that centred young people's creativity, leadership, and voices.
The day began with our Music Connects group exploring what courage means to them and transforming those conversations into an original music piece. Young people also created “Cups of Courage” from felted wool, choosing colours that reflected their own experiences and interpretations of courage.
T took the lead in the kitchen, preparing a delicious Eritrean sharing meal with support from our Caseworker, Ro.
In the evening, guests gathered around the table to share food and take part in conversations about courage led by our Young Leaders. The Cups of Courage were displayed alongside the young people's reflections, allowing visitors to learn more about the stories and meanings behind each creation.
The evening concluded with a powerful ten-minute performance featuring original music and spoken word developed by the young people throughout the day. Drawing on their reflections on courage, the performance provided a moving end to a celebration that centred young people's creativity, leadership, and voices.
Thank you to everyone who joined us throughout Refugee Week and helped make it such a meaningful celebration of courage in all its forms.
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