Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking asylum. The theme for this year’s Refugee Week is "courage".
For refugees around the world, courage is often a daily necessity. It is the courage to face unknown journeys, learn new languages, navigate unfamiliar systems or simply to wake up each morning and step into an uncertain world.
Courage isn’t always loud or bold. It can be found in simple acts: opening your door to a neighbour, trying new food, reading a book or watching a film that changes your view of the world. It can be speaking up, asking for help, sharing your story, or simply having the courage to be yourself.
What’s on in North Lanarkshire
In North Lanarkshire we have an open programme where people can come along and meet new friends, learn new skills and enjoy learning new things. All the programmes are free of charge and offer a good opportunity to meet and integrate into the community.
10 June - ‘Courage Walk’ to celebrate Refugee Festival 2026 with the Resettled women’s groups (open to female learners)
Learners from both the North and South Women’s groups will take part in an organised “Courage Walk” around Drumpellier Country Park to celebrate the Refugee Festival theme of courage. This activity will support learners to develop new skills, improve their mental health and wellbeing, expand their vocabulary, and build positive relationships.
17 June - ‘Courage Tree’ to celebrate Refugee Festival 2026 with the Resettled women’s groups (open to female learners)
A collaborative project involving both women’s groups only will focus on creating a poster featuring a tree with roots, symbolising strength and support. The word “courage” will be incorporated into the design (potentially through embroidery), and the tree leaves will display learners’ personal reflections.
Chat Cafes will also have a session discussing Refugee Festival and what ‘courage’ means to them.
| Day | Time | Creche? | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 12.30-2.30pm | No | Pat Cullinan Community Centre Logans Road, Motherwell, ML1 3PB |
Tuesday
| 9.30-11.30am | Yes | Pather Community Centre Caledonian Road, Wishaw, ML2 0HZ |
| Tuesday |
1pm - 3pm
| No | Coatbridge Community Centre 9 Old Monkland Road, Coatbridge, ML5 5EA |
Tuesday
| 1pm - 3pm | No | Bellshill Cultural Centre Liberty Road, Bellshill, ML4 1RJ |
Wednesday
| 9.30-11.30am | Yes | Chapelside Community Centre Waddell Street, Airdrie, ML6 6JU |
| Thursday | 9.30-11.30 | No | Muirfield Community Centre 1A South Muirfield Road, Cumbernauld, G67 1AX |
Coatbridge
Access to all our ESOL Classes is free if you want to get involved and learn a new language.
National 3 Level ESOL is on a Wednesday 17 June between 10am and 12pm for those who have a good understanding.
Our beginners’ group is also on a Wednesday 17 June between 12.30pm and 2.30pm for anyone looking to learn from the beginning.
Our National 2 ESOL class is on a Thursday 18 June between 10am and 12pm for those who have understanding and would like to continue further learning.
Motherwell Library
Our colleagues at Motherwell Library have a programme on offer to all New Scots. Engagement is free of charge and offer a great insight to the town’s history and how to learn new skills in robotics and crafts.
Immersive room movie experience at 2pm
- Friday 12 June - Schindler’s List
- Saturday 13 June – Paddington
- Monday 15 June – Everybody to Kenmure Street
- Tuesday 16 June - Limbo
- Wednesday 17 June - Hotel Rwanda
- Thursday 18 June - For Sama
The Robotics Session is on 18 of June between 10am and 11am and will be available to the first 10 people who register so be quick. Robotics is an opportunity to use digital skills and craft to build and create a robot from scratch.
Paper circuits on 19 June between 10am and 11am is an opportunity to make cards with wire that allows the cards to light up; there will be spaces for 15 people so get in quick.
Drop in and Mend session on 19 June between 10am and 12pm is an opportunity to bring some clothing that may need sewing and you and a member of the library team will assist you in repairing that item of clothing.
For any further information email cld@northlan.gov.uk
Find out more
Visit the Scottish Refugee Council’s Refugee Festival page for updates, accessibility information, and how to participate. Follow us online on Facebook and on X during Refugee Festival Scotland.
