JRS celebrates refugee achievements at Open Writing Space showcase

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JRS celebrates refugee achievements at Open Writing Space showcase

Creative writing & refugee talent shared for Refugee Week

17 June 2021

JRS celebrates refugee achievements at Open Writing Space showcase

Last night the JRS community came together for a Refugee Week celebration of creativity and resilience. Six refugee friends supported by JRS shared their creative writing in an online showcase event and launched their book ‘Home is a Feeling not a Place’. The refugee friends had all taken part in JRS’s  ‘Open Writing Space’ workshops over the past year and the event offered an opportunity to read, and sing, aloud their writing which is published in the Open Writing Space’s first book.

Read more about ‘Home is a Feeling Not a Place

The showcase event was led by poet Laila Sumpton, who facilitated the Open Writing Space sessions and edited ‘Home is a Feeling not a Place’, and by Dallya Alhorri, the JRS UK Refugee Activities coordinator. They created a  interactive space where those attending were encouraged to share their own lines of poetry and reflections, showcasing the hidden talents of JRS supporters themselves! The lines shared throughout the evening will be compiled by Laila to make a collective poem reflecting on the theme of ‘home’.

Han, a refugee friend of JRS and contributing writer said:

“Thanks to everyone for celebrating our achievement and thanks to Laila and Dallya for presenting our wonderful work. Your words are highly appreciated! It was a privilege to take part in the evening with the distinguished guests who joined us to acknowledge our feat with their time and presence.”

Refugee friend of JRS and volunteer of the Open Writing Space Ben added:

“Thank you all so much for your kind words of support. It means a lot for all of us!”

All of us at JRS are so grateful to our refugee friends, poets and writers for sharing so much of themselves last night. Their words, poetry, and singing was incredibly moving and inspired  supporters, staff and volunteers alike.

It is thanks to your donations that we are able to continue creative activities like the Open Writing Space, allowing refugee friends to feel uplifted and empowered.

Read more about refugee activities like the Open Writing Space


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Jesuit Refugee Service UK
The Hurtado Jesuit Centre
2 Chandler Street, London E1W 2QT

020 7488 7310
uk@jrs.net

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