Celebrating Courage and Community During Refugee Week

As part of Refugee Week, Slough Refugee Support (SRS) proudly recognised and celebrated the theme of ‘Courage’ within our community.

For many refugees and people seeking asylum, courage is not a one-time act but a daily necessity. It is the courage to embark on unknown journeys, learn new languages, navigate unfamiliar systems, build new lives, and simply wake up each morning ready to face an uncertain world.

To mark Refugee Week and offer a small act of kindness, SRS hosted a community meal that brought people together in a spirit of friendship, belonging, and celebration. The food was lovingly prepared and shared by our dedicated SRS staff, who showcased traditional dishes from cultures around the world. The meal reflected the rich diversity that makes our community so vibrant and strong.

We were delighted to welcome our clients and service users, participants from our English and sewing classes, staff, trustees, and valued guests. Among those joining us were Helen Buckland, Refugee and Asylum Lead at Slough Borough Council, representatives from the Louis Bayliss Trust, one of our funders, and partners including Slough Immigration Unit.The gathering was an opportunity not only to share food but also to celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of the people we support.

Louise Sprackling, Chair of Trustees at Slough Refugee Support said: “During 2025–2026, our clients came from 43 different countries and spoke 32 languages. This rich cultural diversity inspired us to reflect on the beauty of our differences, how courage leads to new opportunities they bring to our community, and how wonderfully we can unite around a shared purpose.