A local council in Northern Ireland is set to celebrate Refugee Week with a welcome event.
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council will hold the information and welcome event in Ballymoney Town Hall from 10am - 12.30pm on Wednesday, June 22.
The event has been organised in recognition of the contributions and resilience of refugees who have sought sanctuary in the area over recent years.
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A range of statutory and community agencies will be in attendance to offer advice, support and useful information about local services to those who have been displaced from their own countries.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor, Ivor Wallace, said: “Refugee Week takes place from June 20 – 26 and this year’s campaign is themed around “Healing”.
“Healing relates to recovery from a painful experience or situation, so that we can continue to live, and no-one understands this better than those who have lost their homes and now find themselves in a different country, setting out to build new lives.
“Many of those who have recently arrived are hoping that one day they will be able to return to their home country and for some, the process of healing hasn’t even begun.
"In recognising the difficulties faced in trying to settle into a new country, it is hoped that by providing a one stop information event, we can assist by making the process easier to allow the healing process to begin.”
The event also presents an important opportunity for those who have recently arrived here to meet with others who share their position and make new social connections.
Interpreters will be in attendance, including Arabic, Ukrainian and Russian speakers, who will assist on the day.
The event has been organised by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Good Relations Team as part of the Exploring Cultural Diversity programme.
The programme receives financial support through Executive Office District Council’s Good Relations Programme, as part of the wider Together: Building a United Community.
For more information please email good.relations@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk
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