On Saturday 6 December, The Old Town Hall hosted a Communities Together With Refugees event. Event organiser Andrea shares how the day went and what people can do moving forward to support refugees in our community.
Creativity, community, and compassion: Reflections from our event at the Old Town Hall Trowbridge
Last Saturday, 6 December, more than 25 people gathered at The Old Town Hall in Trowbridge for an afternoon of storytelling, music, and connection as part of the Together With Refugees campaign, a UK wide movement of organisations and individuals, including refugees and people from all walks of life, who believe in showing compassion to those fleeing war and persecution.
In the UK, we’ve seen a rise in anti-migrant protests and hostile narratives. Headlines and policies often focus on division and fear instead of compassion and fairness. But we also know that another story exists: one of solidarity, community, hope, and the power of people coming together to make change. We believe that people who migrate and seek safety in the UK should be welcomed and valued. Too often, the public conversation is dominated by hostile narratives, when behind every negative headline there is a human story, and those stories deserve to be heard.
Together, we are calling for a fairer system that allows people to seek safety in the UK, no matter how they arrive; ensures dignity while they wait for a decision; and enables them to rebuild their lives in safety. Saturday’s event was one small but meaningful step in showing what this could look like in practice: communities coming together to listen, learn, and take action.
Creativity as a tool for the journey
The afternoon opened with a welcome from Andrea Dos Anjos, Senior Community Organiser at Together With Refugees, who reminded the audience that these spaces exist to “move beyond headlines, beyond fear, and towards empathy, context, and humanity.”
We were honoured to welcome two incredible women to the panel whose artistic work strengthens communities far beyond Trowbridge:
● Hiba Elhindi, Artistic Director of Sudafest, who brings Sudanese arts and culture to global audiences.
● Yana Kozha, a Ukrainian singer-songwriter and member of the choir SVITLO, known for its moving, soul-filled performances.
Through a rich panel conversation, they shared their migration journeys, their creative beginnings, and the ways in which art becomes both refuge and resistance. We explored how their creative practice began, whether before or after migration, and how their personal stories have shaped their art, as well as the ways their creativity has, in turn, shaped their migration journeys. They reflected on the responsibility they sometimes feel to represent their wider communities and shared the key messages they hope audiences take away from their work.
Their reflections reminded us that creativity is not just expression; it’s healing, connection, and a way to build bridges across cultures.
A moment of music and shared humanity
After the panel, Yana and members of SVITLO filled the room with live music. Their voices carried a mix of longing, resilience, and hope. A reminder of the emotional worlds migrants bring with them, and the power of sharing them.
Coming together in action
Before we closed, we invited everyone to join the campaign in their own ways. Solidarity doesn’t have to be big or loud; it can be small and very local:
● Talking to a neighbour
● Joining a book group about migration
● Inviting a speaker to your school or faith space
● Fundraising for a local organisation
● Signing a petition or emailing your MP
● Putting a “We Stand Together With Refugees” poster in your window
Across the UK, more than 30 community actions are taking place this winter, from music events to Christmas market stalls, alongside 10,000 posters going up in homes, cafés, and community centres. The message is clear: we are not alone. And another story is possible, one grounded in dignity, compassion, and belonging.
Stay connected
Join the Together With Refugees network for updates, training, and resources:
https://togetherwithrefugees.org.uk/communities-together-with-refugees
For more information or to get involved locally, you can reach out to Andrea at:
andrea@andreadosanjos.com