From disruption on the streets of Ballymena and Larne in Northern Ireland, to the Prime Minister himself using ill-suited language about strangers, the British public have been assailed yet again with negative images and opinions connected to asylum seekers and refugees.
This is of course not the whole story. Not by a long way. For centuries now, those who have come to our shores seeking safety have contributed massively to the prosperity and well-being of our Country. What is more, they have been welcomed here, and good relations have existed between those coming in, and those whose families have lived in this Country for centuries.
There is absolutely no inevitability about asylum seekers and refugees coming to the North East being some sort of great problem. After all, the North East has traditionally welcomed those fleeing danger, whether it be the Richardson sisters-in-law in Newcastle, starting the fund to have Frederick Douglass manumitted or freed from slavery or the children who came here from the Basque country during the Spanish Civil War.
It is therefore heartwarming and somehow appropriate see that Skimstone Arts based in Shieldfield in Newcastle, are celebrating Refugee Week 2025 with a community-based activity. It is a timely reminder that communities can be built and sustained, and that they can include people whose families have been here for centuries along with those who have just arrived. As humans, our acts of individual kindness can add up to an overwhelming tide of goodwill, which could not only sweep away the negativity of those who would try and divide us, but can also lift all boats, and improve the quality of life for all of us whatever our background.
Lanre Sonde
I spoke to Lanre Sonde, volunteer Leader at Skimstone Arts about the upcoming Skimstone Arts exhibition and his role in it.
He commented:
“My work as a poet and cultural curator is mostly in the area of love, humanity and social action.”
He explained that Skimstone Arts have programmes and events and they draw on volunteers from around the Newcastle area. They are mostly local people, and Skimstone Arts trains them. The Volunteers work to protect health and safety, and act as stewards for the smooth running of an event.
Skimstone Arts are putting together an exciting event for Refugee Week 2025, in partnership with the Fine Art Department of Newcastle University. They will be exploring the theme ‘Community as a Superpower,’ through live performance and a mixed-media exhibition from Ukrainian artists including their newly printed book, alongside diverse artists from around the world.
Skimstone Arts Refugee Week 2025 event and exhibition
The Skimstone Arts ‘Community as a Superpower’ exhibition is on display from 13th June – 2nd July 2025, 10am – 5pm, at Newcastle University XL Gallery, Fine Art Building (King Edward VII Building) NE1 7RU.
This event and exhibition are about Refugee Week, and what it really means. They show us how every day, ordinary and extraordinary acts of kindness multiply to become an unstoppable force. As the exhibition features artwork, films, and poetry by Ukrainian artists exploring themes of community, it is thought that people might relate to refugees from Ukraine and then understand the plight of others as well.
Claire Webster Saaremets (Artistic Director, Skimstone) commented:
“Skimstone Arts continues to commit to Refugee Week as one of the most important events in our final Annual Programme. We must challenge the daily sound bite and reductive narrative from social media, politicians, and mainstream news, and hear first-hand the REAL context, stories, and inspirations that we can all learn from and positively contribute to, to support a much richer, diverse, and happier global planet to live on. This year’s theme of Community as a Superpower brings an everyday action we can all take part in and enjoy contributing to seeing the difference it can make.”
Rina a member of UNITY Tree commented:
“It is important because it gives the opportunity to see refugees as their own people who have bright personalities.”
Natalia, another performer from UNITY Tree said that:
“Refugee Week is important because it shines a light on the experiences, contributions, and resilience of refugees; while encouraging understanding and compassion across communities. It provides a platform for expression, healing, and connection through storytelling, arts, and performance.”
Audio and film recordings of songs and poetry, inspired by Skimstone Arts’ diverse co-collaborators will also be on display. These will include work by Shirley & the Gang, with Syrian, Bosnian, Palestinian, and Kurdistan-Iraq contributions.
The final word
I will leave the final word to Skimstone Arts from their website:
“Communities can bring people together. Bridging divides and offering support. Spaces of resilience and places for healing.
“This Refugee Week everyone is invited to spend time with friends and build new connections in and beyond our neighbourhoods. From communal meals and open-air film screenings, to football matches and music making, let’s share the feelings of welcome and belonging. Listening, learning, laughing together.”
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