Refugee Week 2025 brought communities across Wandsworth together to celebrate welcome, creativity, and solidarity under this year’s theme, Community as a Superpower. From art installations and festivals to walks, discussions and shared meals, the week showcased the many ways local people and organisations are creating spaces of sanctuary across the borough.

Voices of Wandsworth: Giant Dolls’ House Installation 

From 10–18 June, Battersea Arts Centre hosted Voices of Wandsworth, a striking Giant Dolls’ House installation created in collaboration with Wandsworth Welcomes Refugees as part of Refugee Week and the London Festival of Architecture. 

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The installation brought together over 200 children and adults living in Wandsworth, who explored ideas of home, community and sanctuary through miniature shoebox spaces. Each piece reflected personal experiences, hopes and aspirations, offering visitors a powerful collective portrait of what sanctuary means at a local level

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Community Tour: Movement, Learning and Connection 

On Saturday 14 June, Wandsworth Welcomes Refugees hosted a Community Tour, a half-day programme of yoga, discussion and art. 

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The day began with yoga at Doddington & Rollo Roof Garden, followed by a visit to Battersea Park Library to learn how local libraries are supporting refugees. The tour concluded at Battersea Arts Centre with a visit to the Voices of Wandsworth installation. Along the way, participants met new people, shared food, and learned more about organisations that embody community power in action every day.

Arts for Sanctuary Festival 

From 7–22 June at All Saints Tooting, the Arts for Sanctuary Festival brought together artwork from refugees, people seeking asylum, and artists with lived experience, alongside invited contributors. 

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As part of the festival, Wandsworth Welcomes Refugees led a discussion at the church on 12 June, creating space for reflection, dialogue and shared learning. The exhibition highlighted how creativity can build connections and amplify voices that are too often unheard.

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Hazelfest: Celebrating Community Creativity 

On Sunday, 22 June, Refugee Week concluded with Hazelfest, a free outdoor festival at the Hazelhurst Estate. Local residents of all ages contributed superhero capes created over several months to reflect the theme Community as a Superpower. 

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Displayed alongside music, food and family-friendly activities, the capes celebrated collective creativity and the power of people coming together to support one another.

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Looking Ahead: Conversations Beyond Refugee Week 

While Refugee Week is centred in June, its spirit continues throughout the year. On 29 July, Backstory Bookshop in Balham will host an evening with writer and journalist Horatio Clare, discussing his book We Came By Sea. All ticket proceeds from the event will be donated to Wandsworth Welcomes Refugees, helping support ongoing sanctuary work in the borough.

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Thank You! 

None of these events would have been possible without the generosity, creativity and commitment of artists, volunteers, community organisations, libraries, schools, faith spaces, local businesses and residents across Wandsworth. Refugee Week 2025 was a reminder that sanctuary is not abstract, it is built through everyday acts of welcome, shared space, and collective care.