Refugees in Devon and their many supporters are being offered the chance to share their experiences in video, photos and stories as part of a UK-wide event in mid-June.

Devon’s involvement in the UK-wide Refugee Week from June 15 to 21 will have to be largely virtual this year, compared to the public events which normally celebrate the county’s commitment to help vulnerable people.

So online technology has been harnessed to tap into the experiences and emotions of refugees and their families who have made new homes in the county, together with the many volunteers and professionals who help them. 

Devon County Council (DCC) and Refugee Support Devon (RSD) have joined forces to give everyone involved an opportunity to contribute their thoughts, pictures and videos from their homes, using social media technology.

‘Devon is playing its part in meeting the UK government’s pledge towards resettling refugees,’ says DCC’s refugee resettlement coordinator Stephen Matthewman.

Refugees who, like everyone else, are facing the impact of lockdown in towns and villages, are invited to submit two-minute videos for distribution through DCC and RSD websites.

Volunteers and professionals are also invited to share their thoughts on why they support the refugee programme in the county.

In parallel, RSD’s Liz Oxburgh has launched a Refugee Week competition for everyone under the title ;Imagine’.

Liz, a regular RSD supporter and trustee, invites contributors to imagine ‘what it’s like to have to leave your family behind, or what your hometown might look like to someone walking its streets for the first time.

‘We are running this as a competition and there will be prizes for children as well as adults,; says Liz.

‘But mainly we want people to have fun and celebrate Refugee Week by helping us to create a wonderful collection of poetry, pictures and prose.’

Participants are invited to submit a photo and up to 200 words, with five prizes of £20 available. Go to www.lizoxburgh.com for details.