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Back to BlogSeptember 9 · 6:30 PM GMT+1
Join us for the next Beyond Bath event, where we’ll explore how stories can reshape the narrative of migration.
We’ve seen a rise in anti-migrant protests and hostile narratives in the UK. Headlines and policies often focus on division and fear instead of compassion and fairness. But we also know another story exists: one of solidarity, community, hope, and the power of people coming together to make change.
This is an opportunity to reflect together on the power of stories to shift the narrative.
We’re excited to welcome Bekele Woyecha, who has himself experienced the UK asylum system, including detention and destitution, and has more than 15 years of community organising and leadership from his former roles at Citizens UK, UK Welcomes Refugees and most recently at the Centre for Progressive Change. Bekele will share his story and his work with Together With Refugees, the UK’s largest coalition of passionate people working for a fair new plan for refugees. Bekele will talk about how grassroots organising can inspire change, and how local communities can be part of a national movement for a fairer approach to supporting refugees.
We’ll also share stories from people we support locally and introduce the Campaign Organising Network, a growing network of volunteers across the UK who are working with their communities to make change happen. As a member of this network, Bath Welcomes Refugees is proud to bring this conversation to our city.
Whether we are chatting to a neighbour, discussing a refugee-themed book at a book group, inviting a speaker to a church social, fundraising through a local choir, signing petitions, or emailing our MP, we can all encourage those around us to remember that refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants are, first and foremost, individuals with their own story to tell.
Bekele is the Deputy Director of the Asylum Reform Initiative / Together With Refugees and Co-Project Lead of the Campaign Organising Network.
He previously served as Senior Campaigner at the Centre for Progressive Change, where he built and supported campaign teams across the West Midlands.
A committed advocate for refugee rights for over 15 years, Bekele was the Founding Director of UK Welcomes Refugees and a co-founder of the Sponsor Refugees Foundation at Citizens UK, where he worked as Senior Project Manager. He was among the pioneers of the UK’s Community Sponsorship scheme and played a key role in delivering Refugee Welcome training nationwide in 2015 and 2016.
Beyond Bath Talks is a series designed to raise awareness of global realities through the voices of migrants, refugees, and activists, all working towards a more inclusive society.
One of our past speakers, Hiba from Sudafest, said:
“It’s been an honour to be part of this panel and to share such a meaningful discussion with my fellow panellists. Reflecting on my own story and hearing others—from Ukraine to Latin America—has been powerful. The questions were thoughtful, the conversations deep, and at a time when these stories matter more than ever, it’s vital to keep shedding light on our diverse journeys and voices.”
Bath Welcomes Refugees is a small but dynamic and inclusive charity. Volunteer-led and non-partisan, our mission is to facilitate the settlement and the path to independence of those who come to us seeking refuge. We are local people working directly with refugees and asylum seekers to build new lives.
Get involved and make everyone feel welcome!
Venue: Oasis Church Bath, Fountain Buildings, The Paragon, Bath, BA1 5DU.Please use the entrance on Lansdown Road (side door)
Back to BlogThis is a really important moment to show Government and our communities that many of us support a fair and compassionate asylum system and we stand with refugees.
BWR is a member of Together with Refugees who have produced FREE A4 posters which you can order from them to stick in your windows or anywhere else you can think of – a very easy way to show you care. Please see information below and take action if you wish.
People across our movement and coalition are already taking action—checking on neighbours, supporting people who are afraid, and staying on high alert. Because that’s the Britain we believe in: a nation of care, welcome, and compassion. As part of that effort, let’s make our solidarity visible on our streets too. Order a pack of free posters right now to put up in your home, workplace, or in community spaces, and make it clear that we welcome refugees.
Displaying your posters is a simple act that sends a big message. You can put them up in places like a window in your workplace or home, a local shop, your place of worship, community noticeboards, schools, libraries, and more.
In these moments, we often find our politicians lacking either the courage or conviction to speak out against the division taking root in our communities. That’s why they need to know their constituents stand with refugees—and expect them to do the same. Let’s make that message impossible to miss.
In response to the violent riots of last summer, thousands of people across the UK came together to restore peace and safety. We’ve been organising a Welcome Weekend (7–10 August) to carry on that same spirit—a nationwide moment to show our politicians that in the face of hate, we’ll always choose welcome.
Some of you are already planning your events. If you can’t plan an event, hang a poster. Whatever happens next, I know this movement will never stop showing up.
With hope,
Ruth,
Together With Refugees
June was an action-packed month for Bath Welcomes Refugees, with lots of opportunities to celebrate our wonderful community. We proudly participated in Refugee Week, including the inaugural Bath Refugee Festival at Fairfield House. Our volunteers, responding to our ‘You Said, We Did’ survey, helped people register with and get to know Bath Central Library. They also joined the BANES Resettlement Team in assisting Afghan families to prepare and share a traditional meal. Refugee Week also featured Beyond Bath, shining a light artists and community leaders using creativity to foster integration and raise awareness.
Volunteer Week in June saw us celebrate our amazing volunteers. We treated them to coffee and a feast of home baking, and a group enjoyed a beautiful team walk and pub lunch in South Stoke.
Our Ukraine Feast fundraiser was a delicious success, with guests enjoying an authentic meal prepared by Ukrainian chefs while raising funds to help BWR carry on it’s work.
