Refugee Week

Trust Thamesmead has booked Global Link's ‘Escape to Safety' exhibition in the run up to Refugee Week. The exhibition is built in a 12.5 metre trailer and will be located in Morrisons car park in Thamesmead Town Centre, 4-8 June 2007.

‘Escape to Safety' is an interactive multimedia installation that enables you to experience what it is like to be a refugee seeking asylum in Britain. It is designed for adults and young people aged 10+ and provides opportunities for participants to think about issues such as:

• What is the welcome we want to give to refugees?
• What is your image of asylum seekers in Britain?
• Where does this image come from?

Open to school and youth groups, as well as members of the public, the free exhibition which will be available three times per day in the run up to Refugee Week which takes place 18-25 June.

Each participant will walk through a labyrinth of eight 'stations' depicting the different stages a refugee experiences before seeking asylum in Europe. On a portable CD player, they are accompanied by refugee voices from Rwanda, Afghanistan, Uganda, Somalia and many other places as they interact with border immigration officials and the media.

‘Escape to Safety' is an emotional experience combined with facts and figures that challenges racism towards refugees. Trust Thamesmead's Community Development Manager Janice Songhurst-Jones said: “Having previously worked with the exhibition I have experienced the impact it can have on challenging and changing perceptions; particularly amongst young people”.

For more information please visit Global Link or call Janice Songhurst-Jones direct: T: 020 8320 4488.