February 2021 Exhibition
We’re delighted to bring you an exhibition of artworks, made by Asylum Seekers currently based in York and supported by Refugee Action York (RAY).
See our online RAY Art Exhibitions: Exhibition #1 Exhibition #2
Copies of many of the works were also on display in a window at Aroma Coffee Shop in Haxby.
About Refugee Action York (RAY) and the Exhibition
Refugee Action York (RAY) was founded in 2002 and became a registered charity in 2009.
Since March 2020, because of a shortage of Initial Asylum Accommodation caused by the pandemic, the Home Office began to house Asylum Seekers in hotels across the UK. One of these hotels is in York, and RAY began to support the Asylum Seekers living there by collecting donations of clothing, shoes, used mobile phones, and other items to distribute.
RAY visits the hotel to give out these donations, offers help with understanding Asylum paperwork, a telephone befriending service, and provides English classes in the hotel in partnership with York Learning.
Through their visits, RAY learned that a number of the Asylum Seekers in the York hotel are talented artists, and wanted to give them an opportunity to showcase some of their work.
Refugee Action York (RAY)
What is a refugee? What is an asylum seeker? Are there many refugees and asylum seekers in the UK? Which countries help the most refugees?
Many of us don’t really know much about asylum seekers and refugees. If you’d like to find out more, please take a few minutes to read through Facts About Refugees at the main Refugee Action website:
Facts About Refugees https://www.refugee-action.org.uk/about/facts-about-refugees/
Some of the facts and figures there might surprise you.
As you can see from the beautiful artwork above, these aren’t just figures or news headlines but real people, with hidden talents — people who need love, care and support: particularly during this pandemic.
If you attend Haxby and Wigginton Methodist Church and would like to help RAY and their work, please check our weekly News Sheet to see what they are currently in need of, and contact Steph Cooper if you have something you’d like to donate.