Derby Refugee Week events run across city this June

Derby will mark Refugee Week with a programme of cultural events, workshops and community gatherings from Monday 15 June to Sunday 21 June.

The events are taking place at various locations across Derby. Price details have not been specified by Derby City Council, and readers are directed to the Derby City of Sanctuary page for the full programme and entry information.

This year’s Refugee Week theme is “courage”, with events reflecting on the journeys, cultures and stories of people who have made Derby their home after fleeing conflict and violence.

Derby events marking Refugee Week

The programme includes a mix of public celebration, creative activity and community-led events.

One of the main highlights is Hello Derby – A Festival of Welcome, which takes place on Saturday 20 June from 11am to 3pm at Derby Market Hall. The event is part of the wider week of activity celebrating the communities that shape the city.

On Tuesday 16 June, Derby Refugee Forum will host Steps Towards Tomorrow Workshop. The three-hour creative workshop invites participants to create functional footwear from upcycled materials.

Susanna Wesley House will hold a BBQ on Friday 19 June from 10am to 3pm, marking 10 years of the organisation with dancing and cake.

There will also be Parkrun with Refugees on Saturday 20 June from 8:45am at Markeaton Park. The event invites attendees to walk or complete 5km around the park with up to 500 people.

A week rooted in Derby’s refugee history

Derby City Council said the week is also a chance to reflect on the city’s longer history of welcoming people escaping war and upheaval.

During the Spanish Civil War, 50 children came to Derby as refugees and lived at Burnaston House between 1937 and 1938. The site is now the Toyota Burnaston site.

During the Second World War, Derby became a temporary home for around 270 Belgian refugees. Many later made the city their permanent home.

Ukrainian refugees are also part of Derby’s earlier refugee history. The Association of Ukrainians in Derby branch was formally established on 10 November 1947, bringing together families who had arrived after the Second World War. The branch moved into premises at 15 Charnwood Street in 1947 and later purchased its current home at 27 Charnwood Street.

The association has served the community for more than six decades, promoting Ukrainian culture, arts and heritage, while supporting wider multicultural understanding in the city.

Nearly 50 years later, Derby became home to people fleeing conflict in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the 1990s. In 1995, refugees established the Derby Bosnia-Herzegovina Community Association to help families rebuilding their lives in the UK.

The association supported people with education, housing, training and wider community support. It later developed into a hub for cultural activities, integration and practical help for people establishing a new life in Derby.

Practical details before attending

Derby City Council has said a full programme of Refugee Week 2026 events is available on the Derby City of Sanctuary page.

The confirmed highlights include Hello Derby at Derby Market Hall, the Steps Towards Tomorrow Workshop at Derby Refugee Forum, the BBQ at Susanna Wesley House and Parkrun with Refugees at Markeaton Park.

Councillor Sarah Chambers, Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities and Public Safety, said Refugee Week gives people an opportunity to recognise communities, cultures and the stories of those who had the courage to make Derby their home after fleeing conflict and violence.

Booking, accessibility and transport details were not specified in the source notice.

Source: Derby City Council

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This event preview was built from Derby City Council’s published Refugee Week 2026 notice and the listed event details.

Checks

• Checked the stated event dates of 15 to 21 June 2026.
• Matched named event highlights with their listed venues and times.
• Marked price as not specified because no cost was given in the source notice.
• Kept booking guidance limited to the Derby City of Sanctuary programme reference.

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Derby City Council

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Derby

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2026-06-15 16:33

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Article contextPeople & topics1#7

Sarah Chambers

#City of Sanctuary#Derby City Council#Derby Market Hall#Derby Refugee Forum#Derby Refugee Week#Markeaton Park#Susanna Wesley House

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