Want to show your support but not sure how?
The Refugee Week website (external link) suggests that we can all choose to do one or more of the following 8 Simple Acts.
8 Simple Acts
Sing a song
Learning, performing or simply discovering a new song can help us all identify with the person who wrote it and think about what they might be going through. Share your song recommendations during the week and use #SimpleActs to connect with others.
Watch a film
Films are often a fantastic way of putting yourself in another person’s shoes.
There are lots of recommended films and TV shows that can help us connect with new cultures in our Black History Month pages.
Have a chat
A one-to-one conversation with a friend, colleague, or someone you’ve only just met, could open up a whole new world.
The Refugee Week website suggests asking questions to help you connect with each other, such as: What have you missed most this year? What small acts of kindness have made a difference? If you had to leave your home in a hurry, what items would you take with you?
It’s important to remember that some people may not be ready to talk about personal experiences.
Read a book
Our Black History Month pages feature lots of recommendations for interesting fiction and non-fiction books that can help you think about what it might be like to be part of a different culture.
Share your own recommendations using #SimpleActs.
Say it loud
During lockdown many of us enjoyed expressing our gratitude for others by creating posters of rainbows in our windows.
Drawing and painting can also be a great way to enjoy some time to ourselves and help our minds relax after a difficult day.
Create a poster on the theme of We Cannot Walk Alone and share a photo of it on your social media channels using #SimpleActs.
If you email your creation to pr@wigan.gov.uk we can also share it.
Play a game
Whether you’re an avid gamer or want to give it a go for Refugee Week, you can find recommendations for games with themes of movement, borders, and searching for home on the Refugee Week website.
Walk together
Meet a friend, neighbour or colleague for a walk and a chat and find out more about each other. Talking whilst walking can often be easier than sitting and looking directly at each other, as it can be easier to open up.
The Jo Cox Foundation (external link) has launched the Great Walk Together and Great Get Together (external link) in celebration of Refugee Week.
Join the movement
Refugee Week only lasts for 7 days but we hope the movement towards a fairer, kinder world will continue throughout the year. You can use these simple acts all year round as ways to connect with someone, find out more about them and share your own experiences too.
Help if you’re new to the country
If you’re new to Wigan Borough and have originally come from a different country, help and support is available.