Refugees Welcome
March saw Big Help Project launch our Refugees Welcome campaign in association with CitySafe, funded by their Community Cohesion grant. This campaign was in response to the recent anti-refugee protests and negative rhetoric that been present in the Liverpool City Region.
Following the disturbing events that took place outside Knowsley’s Suites Hotel, our community united in vocalising our support of refugees. We could not sit by as people experienced “the inevitable culmination of a decade of anti-refugee rhetoric”. Instead, we jumped into action.
Our work over the month saw us finesse our refugee-specific support, host children’s art therapy sessions and book in tours to allow local refugees to experience more of our city, all of which will continue in the coming months or remain a fixture in our service delivery. The most notable of our recent campaign however has been our digital and paste up posters that have covered our city.
Celebrating the humanity and educating people on the reality of refugees, these posters allowed us to express a lot with just a few words. With the support of Open Media UK, who gifted us advertising space to promote our message, we were able to reach thousands, all across the city region.
With three designs, we saw our community celebrate the children involved in the project and the message as a whole.
Mark, only 21 month old, and Zlata, 4, were the names we chose to display. As children, these two were unaware of the complexities that saw them leave their home, of the actions that made them unsafe in the place they were born. Their families travelled across Europe and arrived in the UK, hoping to find peace and see their children thrive, not to face the rhetoric that recent protests have vocalised. These posters allowed us to humanise those who find themselves seeking refuge, reminding those who vocalise hate, that refugees are individuals with their own histories and stories.
Similarly, our refugee definition poster offered us an opportunity to re-educate those who have internalised misinformation. By using the correct definition of refugees, we remind all who see the poster of the lack of choice refugees have in fleeing their country, correcting false ideas that exist in our society. Our addition to this definition was a simple line: welcome in our city. This line serves as a reminder that the negativity that a few members of our region demonstrated is a minority view and by no means a consensus shared by our community.
This campaign received an overwhelming response from the local community. Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside, has been a strong advocate of the campaign. Throughout her political career, Johnson has placed a strong emphasis on social justice and community development. Her support is a powerful endorsement of the work carried out by Big Help Project.
The way our community has come together to support refugees residing in our area and beyond has emphasised a message of unity and love. The positive impact this has on those who have been forced to flee their homes due to persecution or conflict is immeasurable. Be this much-needed resources, such as housing, food, and clothing, or the emotional support and welcome that they deserve, such kindness is essential in supporting people in rebuilding their lives. Having said support locally allows for a sense of unity to be fostered, creating a more inclusive and compassionate community.
Big Help Project is clear with this message: nobody chooses to be a refugee. We stand strong in our message to those that do seek refuge in our city - you are welcome and we are here to support you. They are valued, respected members of society. Violence and hate towards a group seeking protection and a place to prosper will not be tolerated.