Latest news with #RefugeeWeek
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Bradford City AFC 'potluck' raises funds for Refugee Action
The charitable arm of Bradford City AFC hosted an event recently in support of refugees and asylum seekers. The Bradford City AFC Community Foundation hosted the 'potluck' event on Tuesday (June 17), at its City Hub. The gathering, which took place during Refugee Week and which raised funds for the charity Refugee Action, brought together refugees, asylum seekers, and support organisations from across the Bradford district. Ian Ormondroyd, chief executive of the Bradford City AFC Community Foundation, said: "We were absolutely delighted to run such a well-attended event, and welcome refugees and asylum seekers from across Bradford and the wider district, as well as our fellow support organisations, under one roof. "We're proud of the money we have raised for Refugee Action, a fantastic organisation, but are equally pleased to have connected numerous local organisations with the people they can directly support, and one another." The Bradford City AFC Community Foundation also wished to highlight its Community Ticket scheme, which offers discounts on tickets to Bradford City AFC home league games for refugees and asylum seekers. Refugee Action, which was founded in 1981, provides advice and support for refugees and asylum seekers in the UK.
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Broken teaset mended with gold tells the story of refugees
This Refugee Week, UK for UNHCR has collaborated with renowned sculptor and artist, Billie Bond, to create a one-of-a-kind tea set to give form to the experiences of refugees through the art of Kintsugi. 'Fragments of Hope', the latest campaign from the UN Refugee Agency's national charity for the UK, is a celebration of the creativity, resilience and contribution of people who have rebuilt their lives in the UK after being forced to flee conflict and persecution. There are now more than 122 million people displaced by conflict and persecution worldwide. The Japanese art of Kintsugi, meaning to mend with gold, repairs pottery by acknowledging its fractures and transforming them into something beautiful. The artwork has been created by bringing together fragments of traditional tea sets from Ukraine, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sudan, including personal contributions by people who were forced to flee their countries. The fragments reflect the diverse journeys of Viktoriia from Ukraine, a dedicated community development coordinator; Ayman from Syria, a self-taught filmmaker and storyteller; Sadia from Pakistan, an award-winning artist and advocate; Bashir from Sudan, a renowned poet and musician; and mother and daughter duo, Frozan and Victoria from Afghanistan, who support their community as an interpreter and an aspiring business leader. Billie Bond said: 'Kintsugi is a centuries-old Japanese art of repairing with gold. It has long been recognised as a powerful symbol of resilience, and a reminder that beauty can be found in imperfection. This Refugee Week, Kintsugi once again serves as a meaningful metaphor, celebrating the strength and resilience of refugees and the ritual of healing – it's been an honour to play a small part in bringing these stories to life.' Emma Cherniavsky, Chief Executive of UK for UNHCR, said: 'Fragments of Hope is a moving representation of how, even after the deepest fractures, refugees can rebuild their lives and futures with strength, dignity and hope."
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Broken teaset mended with gold tells the story of refugees
Broken teaset mended with gold tells the story of refugees Fragments of Hope is the latest campaign from UK for UNHCR This Refugee Week, UK for UNHCR has collaborated with renowned sculptor and artist, Billie Bond, to create a one-of-a-kind tea set to give form to the experiences of refugees through the art of Kintsugi. 'Fragments of Hope', the latest campaign from the UN Refugee Agency's national charity for the UK, is a celebration of the creativity, resilience and contribution of people who have rebuilt their lives in the UK after being forced to flee conflict and persecution. There are now more than 122 million people displaced by conflict and persecution worldwide. The Japanese art of Kintsugi, meaning to mend with gold, repairs pottery by acknowledging its fractures and transforming them into something beautiful. The artwork has been created by bringing together fragments of traditional tea sets from Ukraine, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sudan, including personal contributions by people who were forced to flee their countries. The fragments reflect the diverse journeys of Viktoriia from Ukraine, a dedicated community development coordinator; Ayman from Syria, a self-taught filmmaker and storyteller; Sadia from Pakistan, an award-winning artist and advocate; Bashir from Sudan, a renowned poet and musician; and mother and daughter duo, Frozan and Victoria from Afghanistan, who support their community as an interpreter and an aspiring business leader. Article continues below Billie Bond said: 'Kintsugi is a centuries-old Japanese art of repairing with gold. It has long been recognised as a powerful symbol of resilience, and a reminder that beauty can be found in imperfection. This Refugee Week, Kintsugi once again serves as a meaningful metaphor, celebrating the strength and resilience of refugees and the ritual of healing – it's been an honour to play a small part in bringing these stories to life.' Emma Cherniavsky, Chief Executive of UK for UNHCR, said: 'Fragments of Hope is a moving representation of how, even after the deepest fractures, refugees can rebuild their lives and futures with strength, dignity and hope." The 'Fragments of Hope' tea set will be available for one competition winner to rehome here.
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
How these cafe heroes are inspiring next generation of community champions
They may officially be the country's local heroes, but cafe owners Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello are just happy to be away from the office. The pair run Stepping Stone, a social enterprise that began in Cartagena, Colombia, back in 2017, and shifted to Canberra amid the pandemic in 2020. Their cafe helps female workers who are the sole income earners in their household, new arrivals to Australia, with limited English or minimal employment history, and those experiencing homelessness. The women develop skills and experience, which helps them get into the wider workforce. Named Australia's Local Heroes at January's Australian of the Year Awards, they have barely had time to take a breath since. A trip to the Northern Territory, to meet with other social enterprises and talk to schoolkids about their work, has marked another milestone for the couple - the first time they've been able to leave their staff in charge of the two bustling Stepping Stone cafes. "It's a relief, it's such a sense of achievement," Ms Brettell said over the phone from Melbourne. "It feels wonderful when we can go and everything works well. Obviously there are little hiccups, but we're on call, and that's all part of them growing. Us not being there actually enhances everyone's sense of responsibility and ownership over the businesses, and that sense of pride that they are responsible and can manage it without us." Ms Brettell and Ms Costello, who met more than a decade ago working at a London pub, have been invited by the Northern Territory National Australia Day Council. During Refugee Week, from June 15 to 21, they'll meet with another work integration social enterprise in Darwin and visit primary schools to present children with "Aussie of the month" awards. AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS: NOMINATE NOW! "I think the main message that we want to get out to little kids is that if you see something that you want to change in your community, you can do it," Ms Costello said. "Talk to the adults, talk to the people around you, and you can affect the change that you want to see, really." Being named Australia's Local Heroes, apart from putting their enterprise on the map, had exposed them to new ways of thinking about their business and the people they helped and employed. "That additional publicity has led to new opportunities for us, actually looking at growing and scaling the business, and I guess having the award behind us is really motivating," Ms Brettell said. "It feels like we have a bit of responsibility to make the most of this year and take as many opportunities as we can for the women that work with us, but mostly for the women who are still waiting to work with us. We have about 60 women on our waiting list, so that's really the motivation to grow and scale the business this year." They are looking at other ways to employ the many women who need jobs. "We have a lot of women that we work with where hospitality isn't probably the environment for them," Ms Brettell said. "It can be a very stressful environment with a lot of fast paced things changing all of the time. We have been very lucky to have people in the community that have different skills that they can bring to the table. We don't want to say too much just yet, because nothing's set in stone, but some wheels are moving in the direction of starting different types of businesses or starting different types of operations and training opportunities for the women that we work with." Who inspires you? Who do you think should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards at They may officially be the country's local heroes, but cafe owners Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello are just happy to be away from the office. The pair run Stepping Stone, a social enterprise that began in Cartagena, Colombia, back in 2017, and shifted to Canberra amid the pandemic in 2020. Their cafe helps female workers who are the sole income earners in their household, new arrivals to Australia, with limited English or minimal employment history, and those experiencing homelessness. The women develop skills and experience, which helps them get into the wider workforce. Named Australia's Local Heroes at January's Australian of the Year Awards, they have barely had time to take a breath since. A trip to the Northern Territory, to meet with other social enterprises and talk to schoolkids about their work, has marked another milestone for the couple - the first time they've been able to leave their staff in charge of the two bustling Stepping Stone cafes. "It's a relief, it's such a sense of achievement," Ms Brettell said over the phone from Melbourne. "It feels wonderful when we can go and everything works well. Obviously there are little hiccups, but we're on call, and that's all part of them growing. Us not being there actually enhances everyone's sense of responsibility and ownership over the businesses, and that sense of pride that they are responsible and can manage it without us." Ms Brettell and Ms Costello, who met more than a decade ago working at a London pub, have been invited by the Northern Territory National Australia Day Council. During Refugee Week, from June 15 to 21, they'll meet with another work integration social enterprise in Darwin and visit primary schools to present children with "Aussie of the month" awards. AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS: NOMINATE NOW! "I think the main message that we want to get out to little kids is that if you see something that you want to change in your community, you can do it," Ms Costello said. "Talk to the adults, talk to the people around you, and you can affect the change that you want to see, really." Being named Australia's Local Heroes, apart from putting their enterprise on the map, had exposed them to new ways of thinking about their business and the people they helped and employed. "That additional publicity has led to new opportunities for us, actually looking at growing and scaling the business, and I guess having the award behind us is really motivating," Ms Brettell said. "It feels like we have a bit of responsibility to make the most of this year and take as many opportunities as we can for the women that work with us, but mostly for the women who are still waiting to work with us. We have about 60 women on our waiting list, so that's really the motivation to grow and scale the business this year." They are looking at other ways to employ the many women who need jobs. "We have a lot of women that we work with where hospitality isn't probably the environment for them," Ms Brettell said. "It can be a very stressful environment with a lot of fast paced things changing all of the time. We have been very lucky to have people in the community that have different skills that they can bring to the table. We don't want to say too much just yet, because nothing's set in stone, but some wheels are moving in the direction of starting different types of businesses or starting different types of operations and training opportunities for the women that we work with." Who inspires you? Who do you think should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards at They may officially be the country's local heroes, but cafe owners Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello are just happy to be away from the office. The pair run Stepping Stone, a social enterprise that began in Cartagena, Colombia, back in 2017, and shifted to Canberra amid the pandemic in 2020. Their cafe helps female workers who are the sole income earners in their household, new arrivals to Australia, with limited English or minimal employment history, and those experiencing homelessness. The women develop skills and experience, which helps them get into the wider workforce. Named Australia's Local Heroes at January's Australian of the Year Awards, they have barely had time to take a breath since. A trip to the Northern Territory, to meet with other social enterprises and talk to schoolkids about their work, has marked another milestone for the couple - the first time they've been able to leave their staff in charge of the two bustling Stepping Stone cafes. "It's a relief, it's such a sense of achievement," Ms Brettell said over the phone from Melbourne. "It feels wonderful when we can go and everything works well. Obviously there are little hiccups, but we're on call, and that's all part of them growing. Us not being there actually enhances everyone's sense of responsibility and ownership over the businesses, and that sense of pride that they are responsible and can manage it without us." Ms Brettell and Ms Costello, who met more than a decade ago working at a London pub, have been invited by the Northern Territory National Australia Day Council. During Refugee Week, from June 15 to 21, they'll meet with another work integration social enterprise in Darwin and visit primary schools to present children with "Aussie of the month" awards. AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS: NOMINATE NOW! "I think the main message that we want to get out to little kids is that if you see something that you want to change in your community, you can do it," Ms Costello said. "Talk to the adults, talk to the people around you, and you can affect the change that you want to see, really." Being named Australia's Local Heroes, apart from putting their enterprise on the map, had exposed them to new ways of thinking about their business and the people they helped and employed. "That additional publicity has led to new opportunities for us, actually looking at growing and scaling the business, and I guess having the award behind us is really motivating," Ms Brettell said. "It feels like we have a bit of responsibility to make the most of this year and take as many opportunities as we can for the women that work with us, but mostly for the women who are still waiting to work with us. We have about 60 women on our waiting list, so that's really the motivation to grow and scale the business this year." They are looking at other ways to employ the many women who need jobs. "We have a lot of women that we work with where hospitality isn't probably the environment for them," Ms Brettell said. "It can be a very stressful environment with a lot of fast paced things changing all of the time. We have been very lucky to have people in the community that have different skills that they can bring to the table. We don't want to say too much just yet, because nothing's set in stone, but some wheels are moving in the direction of starting different types of businesses or starting different types of operations and training opportunities for the women that we work with." Who inspires you? Who do you think should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards at They may officially be the country's local heroes, but cafe owners Vanessa Brettell and Hannah Costello are just happy to be away from the office. The pair run Stepping Stone, a social enterprise that began in Cartagena, Colombia, back in 2017, and shifted to Canberra amid the pandemic in 2020. Their cafe helps female workers who are the sole income earners in their household, new arrivals to Australia, with limited English or minimal employment history, and those experiencing homelessness. The women develop skills and experience, which helps them get into the wider workforce. Named Australia's Local Heroes at January's Australian of the Year Awards, they have barely had time to take a breath since. A trip to the Northern Territory, to meet with other social enterprises and talk to schoolkids about their work, has marked another milestone for the couple - the first time they've been able to leave their staff in charge of the two bustling Stepping Stone cafes. "It's a relief, it's such a sense of achievement," Ms Brettell said over the phone from Melbourne. "It feels wonderful when we can go and everything works well. Obviously there are little hiccups, but we're on call, and that's all part of them growing. Us not being there actually enhances everyone's sense of responsibility and ownership over the businesses, and that sense of pride that they are responsible and can manage it without us." Ms Brettell and Ms Costello, who met more than a decade ago working at a London pub, have been invited by the Northern Territory National Australia Day Council. During Refugee Week, from June 15 to 21, they'll meet with another work integration social enterprise in Darwin and visit primary schools to present children with "Aussie of the month" awards. AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS: NOMINATE NOW! "I think the main message that we want to get out to little kids is that if you see something that you want to change in your community, you can do it," Ms Costello said. "Talk to the adults, talk to the people around you, and you can affect the change that you want to see, really." Being named Australia's Local Heroes, apart from putting their enterprise on the map, had exposed them to new ways of thinking about their business and the people they helped and employed. "That additional publicity has led to new opportunities for us, actually looking at growing and scaling the business, and I guess having the award behind us is really motivating," Ms Brettell said. "It feels like we have a bit of responsibility to make the most of this year and take as many opportunities as we can for the women that work with us, but mostly for the women who are still waiting to work with us. We have about 60 women on our waiting list, so that's really the motivation to grow and scale the business this year." They are looking at other ways to employ the many women who need jobs. "We have a lot of women that we work with where hospitality isn't probably the environment for them," Ms Brettell said. "It can be a very stressful environment with a lot of fast paced things changing all of the time. We have been very lucky to have people in the community that have different skills that they can bring to the table. We don't want to say too much just yet, because nothing's set in stone, but some wheels are moving in the direction of starting different types of businesses or starting different types of operations and training opportunities for the women that we work with." Who inspires you? Who do you think should be our next Australian of the Year? If you see them or hear about them, nominate them before July 31 for the 2026 Australian of the Year Awards at
Leader Live
4 days ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
Wrexham MP urges organisations to apply for funding
MP for Wrexham We are really starting to see projects connected with our 2029 City of Culture bid take shape: from the incredible Public Art Trail to the Football Museum for Wales which is due to be completed next year. The City of Culture Trust was awarded £175,000 by Wrexham County Borough Council following a recent successful grant application to the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF). Organisations are invited to submit proposals for grants from £5,000 to £10,000 to develop test events, e.g. an artistic or cultural projects that could be part of the new Cultural Commissions Programme which ultimately supports the City of Culture bid. The test events must be completed by 31st January 2026 and the closing date for this fund is midday 1st July 2025. The idea being the test events could be scaled up to bigger projects by 2029. Being the UK City of Culture would bring significant economic and social benefits to Wrexham in terms of inward investment, job creation, increasing access to cultural activity and amplifying Wrexham's story to the whole of the UK. Whilst the formal bidding process for 2029 is yet to open, last month I asked the Secretary of State for Culture Media and Sport when the guidance for would be released. The response was that it would be released in 'due course'. I will of course continue to press for this. Interestingly, as we mark Refugee Week, the theme of community, bridging divides and offering support is something that definitely resonates here in Wrexham. This Refugee Week everyone is invited to spend time with friends and build new connections in and beyond our neighbourhoods, to extend our sense of connection and build relationships across our neighbourhoods, something which I know already happens in Wrexham. It might be through an interaction, a visit to somewhere new, having time for a meaningful conversation, or volunteering. There are lots of ways to build and develop community. As ever, if you have any queries or concerns or you have an issue that you would like me to try and assist you with, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01978 788854 or
