Latest news and updates from the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants.
Christmas Cards 2021
We are so proud to present this year’s Christmas Card featuring the art and poetry of Ntela. The card was designed in the Art and Writing session facilitated by Jane Ray, Sita Brahmachari and Ros Asquith.
Swallow’s Kiss and Little Amal at the Southbank Centre
Swallow’s Kiss was performed at The Southbank Centre on Saturday 23 October.
Swallow’s Kiss, by our artists in residence writer Sita Brahmachari and illustrator Jane Ray, follows the story of seven year old Blessing and her family as she discovers a bag of lost paper birds with wishes written in different languages on their wings.
The tale was inspired by the experiences of people at the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants.
The event welcomed Little Amal to London and involved music by members of the Islington Centre Refugee choir and the Songworks choir.
Who is Little Amal?
‘Little Amal’ is not so little at 9 foot tall. She’s walking from Syria to raise awareness of the plight of refugee people. You can find out more about Little Amal and follow her journey here.
For more information, click here: https://southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/family-young-people/welcome-wishes?eventId=882847
Macquarie Group
A huge thank you to Macquarie Group for inviting our Chief Executive Andy Ruiz Palma to join an online event in celebration of #Refugee Week. Andy was in conversation with Anita Huynh, Senior Vice President at Macquarie Group, whose parents escaped Vietnam after the war in 1975. The conversation was led by Farzana Islam, Macquarie Group Foundation, EMEA and Harry Jobson of the Macquarie Graduate Volunteering Network, which has supported us all year with fundraising events.
The event was live streamed to Macquarie’s European offices and covered Anita’s personal experience and the issues that refugees face in the UK and wider Europe and what actions we can take to support the local communities in which we live and work. It was a great opportunity for Andy to raise awareness about what we at the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants are doing to help people feel connected and improve their lives. Thank you Macquarie Group!
Swallow’s Kiss
In celebration of Refugee Week we are delighted to announce the launch of Swallow’s Kiss, a beautiful children’s book inspired by the experiences of people at the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants.
Swallow’s Kiss, by our artists in residence Sita Brahmachari and Jane Ray, follows the story of seven year old Blessing and her family as she discovers a bag of lost paper birds with wishes written in different languages on their wings.
For a sneak peak of Swallow’s Kiss please click the download button below:
You can buy your copy of Swallow’s Kiss here: https://pop-up.org.uk/shop/
Wendy Hawley’s Lockdown Journals
Wendy Hawley has supported us in our work with an art exhibition through Hanley Art Gallery in previous years and is now promoting her Lockdown Journals in support of the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants and The Felix Project.
The Lockdown Journals are priced at £10 for one or £16 for both Journals.
Please contact Wendy directly on aush.wenh@gmail.com for purchases and any queries.
To view samples of the lockdown journals please click the download button below:
Session Delivery
We are currently working fully online, we continue to support our community with sessions via Zoom please click the button below to see our full timetable.
Art & Writing – Rainbow Hearth
We continue to hold our weekly Art & Writing sessions with Jane Ray and Sita Brahmachari, to view the work created at our Rainbow Hearth please click the button below.
New Sessions
New and upcoming sessions in our online world:
– Sports Appreciation
– Baby Group
– Reflection Session
Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants 