This summer, we’ve been busy connecting with new friends and long-time supporters at two wonderful festivals—Brunswick Festival in Brighton and Greenbelt Festival in Kettering. It’s been a season of community-building, advocacy and sharing our core values of solidarity, community and dignity with festival-goers from across the UK.
Brunswick Festival, Brighton
In mid-August, our CEO Rachel joined former CEO Paul at the Brunswick Festival in Brighton. It was a fantastic opportunity to engage with the local community, sell copies of our Tastes & Tales cookbook, and spread the word about RSE’s work supporting refugees and displaced people—especially in the wake of anti-migrant protests and the moving display of solidarity shown by Brightonians in response. We had many conversations with people interested in volunteering, donating and becoming part of the RSE community.
Our presence at Brunswick Festival highlighted the importance of community in everything we do. By selling the Tastes & Tales cookbook, which features stories and recipes from refugees, we demonstrated how food can bridge cultures and create understanding. More importantly, the festival allowed us to share our message that everyone—whether a volunteer, donor or community member—has a role to play in standing in solidarity with refugees.
Greenbelt Festival: Solidarity and Dignity in Action
At the end of August, we joined Refugees at Home at Greenbelt Festival, a vibrant celebration of arts, faith and activism. We were part of the ‘Table’ tent, where our team shared a West African ginger cake from Tastes & Tales with attendees, connecting over food and stories that exemplify the power of community and solidarity. Our trustee, Gulwali Passarlay, joined CEO Rachel for a thought-provoking presentation titled “From Charity to Solidarity: How to Support Refugees Meaningfully and with Dignity.”
Gulwali, an activist and author of best-selling book, The Lightless Sky, has a profound personal connection to our mission. Forced to flee Afghanistan as a 12-year-old, his journey to the UK was harrowing, and he has since dedicated his life to advocating for refugee rights, social justice, and education. His personal experience brings our values of dignity and solidarity to life, reminding us why it’s essential to approach refugee support with compassion, not charity.
During the presentation, we explored the challenges refugees face between arrival and settlement and discussed how traditional charity can perpetuate cycles of dependency. Instead, we focused on how our Dignity Centre model empowers refugees with choice, agency and a sense of normality—values crucial to restoring dignity.
We are profoundly grateful to our friends from Refugees at Home for this incredible opportunity to connect with Greenbelt’s compassionate, engaged community.
Festival Takeaways: Our Values in Action
At both Brunswick and Greenbelt Festivals, our presence embodied our commitment to solidarity, community and dignity:
- Solidarity: We stand alongside refugees, sharing their stories and advocating for systemic change rather than providing short-term charity.
- Community: Festivals gave us a chance to grow our network, inviting people from all walks of life to join us in supporting refugees.
- Dignity: By sharing food, stories and our unique approach, we focused on the humanity of the individuals we support, ensuring they are seen, heard and treated with respect.
Supporting RSE: What’s Next?
Our summer of festivals has been a reminder of the power of community, and we want to keep that momentum going. If you missed us at these events, here are a few ways you can still get involved:
- Invite us to speak: We’re available for talks, presentations, and workshops for groups, businesses and organisations interested in learning more about meaningful refugee support. If you’re inspired by our approach, let us know!
- Become a donor: Your donations help us continue our vital work, providing essentials like food, hygiene products, and clothing to displaced people, all while maintaining their dignity.
- Volunteer: Whether it’s at our Dignity Centres or helping to spread the word, volunteers are at the heart of our work. If you’re interested in joining us, we’d love to have you on board.
- Join our community: Support our mission by sharing our work with your friends, attending our events and helping to create a more inclusive world where everyone is treated with dignity. Sign up now.
With your support, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of refugees. Thank you to everyone who came out to Brunswick and Greenbelt Festivals, and we look forward to connecting with more of you in the future.
