As part of its annual commitment to marking Refugee Week and World Refugee Day, The Independent is supporting organisations working with refugees and people seeking safety around the world.
Refugee Week is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Taking place from 16–22 June in the UK, it brings together communities through events, storytelling and shared experiences.
World Refugee Day, observed globally on 20 June and led by the United Nations, honours refugees around the world and recognises the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee conflict, persecution or disaster. The day also serves as a call for greater solidarity and support for displaced people.
Every year, The Independent marks these important moments through journalism, advocacy and partnerships that amplify the voices of refugees and the organisations supporting them.
In the UK, The Independent will partner with Refugees at Home, the charity that connects people with a spare room to refugees and people seeking asylum who need somewhere safe to stay. Founded in 2016 by a group of friends, Refugees at Home has grown to become the UK’s largest independent hosting charity, finding rooms for more than 7,700 guests from over 100 countries.
The partnership will include a special Independent Voices article. In addition, The Independent will provide £10,000 of gifted advertising inventory to help Refugees at Home raise awareness of its work and reach new supporters.
In the United States, The Independent will support Choose Love through a donation of $10,000 in advertising inventory, continuing a longstanding relationship that has included editorial collaboration, fundraising support and awareness campaigns focused on helping displaced people and communities affected by conflict and crisis.
These initiatives form part of The Independent’s broader commitment to reporting on humanitarian issues and supporting organisations working to create positive change for vulnerable people.
Carly Whyborn, COO and Interim CEO of Refugees at Home, said: “This Refugee Week, we couldn’t be more grateful for The Independent’s generous support that will help us do even more for refugees and people seeking asylum across the UK. As we mark our 10th year as a charity, the changing landscape means these are critical times for those seeking sanctuary, and nonprofits supporting them. With anti-migrant rhetoric increasingly turning into violence, we’ve never been more determined to work for a future where nobody coming to the UK in search of safety ends up sleeping on the streets.”
Barney Henderson, UK Editor at The Independent, remarked: “At The Independent, supporting communities and amplifying the voices of those too often overlooked has always been central to our mission. This partnership with Refugees at Home builds on a long tradition of advocacy for marginalised people and reflects our belief that journalism can help foster understanding, compassion and meaningful change.”
Chris Anthony, President, North America of Independent Media, added: “It is a privilege to support moments such as Refugee Week and World Refugee Day. The Independent stands for courage, truth and honestly told stories. Partnerships like these demonstrate what those values look like in action: helping organisations on the front line while ensuring the experiences of displaced people continue to be seen, heard and understood.”
