Refugee Week 2025
Refugee Week is always one of our favourite times of the year and 2025 was no exception. This year’s theme, Community as a Superpower, couldn’t have felt more alive across Lincoln Green. We welcomed over 850 people to our events across the week - creating, learning, laughing, dancing, and imagining new ways to be together.
In times that often feel heavy, Refugee Week gives us space to rehearse the world we want to live in: one rooted in welcome, care, and joy. Every drum beat, shared meal, and moment of play this week was part of a bigger picture - a reminder that another world isn’t just possible, it’s already growing here, in our gardens, streets, and communities.
Photos: Molly McGee
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Family Flourish Day
Our headline event took place on Sunday 22nd June at Roxby Community Garden, where over 250 people joined us for our annual Family Flourish Day. There were familiar faces and first-timers, with every part of the garden brimming with life.
We kicked off the day with a drum circle led by Chapel FM, a raucous session that saw everyone grabbing drumsticks, chairs, and bottles. A noisy reminder that anything can be a drum!
The Lord Mayor of Leeds Dan Cohen, then officially opened the event, welcoming guests with warmth and energy.
Our first workshop was the high tempo Mambokadzi Dance with Enisia Mashusha, who had everyone, children, parents, volunteers and staff up and dancing together.
Clowns Without Borders then led a wildly popular silly session for children, encouraging funny faces, playful movement and plenty of laughter.
Dinner was provided by Irene and St Barnabas Soup Kitchen, keeping everyone fuelled with tasty vegetarian food throughout the rest of the evening.
Our Kuluhenna Drama group shared a powerful performance inspired by this year’s Refugee Week theme, Community as a Superpower, blending spoken word and movement.
Cookie Wang then led a mesmerising Chinese dance workshop, which particularly captivated the younger children who were eager to get involved.
We closed the day with uplifting songs from Harmony Choir, who were triumphant as they sang through the rain and brought the event to a beautiful close.
Throughout the garden, stalls and activities were buzzing: Leeds Bike Mill returned with Dr. Bike, offering free bike checks and repairs; Lincoln Greeners gave out hundreds of plants and guided people in making their own herbal tea bags; The Lifelong Learning Centre chatted with visitors about further education opportunities; and Space2 offered hands-on nature crafts.
Our team of volunteers were phenomenal - including students from Leeds City College, Mafwa participants, friends, board members and family. They brought such enthusiasm and warmth to the day.
Thank you to everyone who came along, whether it was your first Mafwa event or your fifth, and to all the artists, facilitators, supporters and partners who made it possible.
We’re powered by people - from volunteers to supporters.
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Listen Back: Family Flourish Day on the Airwaves
Want to relive the sounds, laughter, and stories from the day? Chapel FM joined us at Family Flourish Day and put together a beautiful radio piece capturing voices from across the garden.
The feature includes interviews with Mafwa staff, the Lord Mayor Dan Cohen, local councillors, and community members, all alongside the buzz of conversation, music, and moments from the day.
It’s a lovely way to revisit the atmosphere of the day, or experience it for the first time if you missed it. Huge thanks to the Chapel FM team for capturing it all so beautifully.
Playbox
In partnership with Playful Anywhere, we hosted the Playbox in the heart of Lincoln Green from Tuesday to Sunday. The Playbox, one of several large shipping containers designed by Playful Anywhere to spark creativity and community connection, was filled with games, craft materials and playful props.
Set up just off Granville Road, our Playbox became a lively hub of child-led joy. More than 600 children and families joined us to play, splash, build and explore, transforming the surrounding patch of grass into a space full of spontaneous play, picnics, water games and new friends.
Initiatives like the Playbox are a powerful reminder that free, visible and open play spaces are vital parts of community infrastructure. In areas where green space is limited, the Playbox is a container of possibility.
A World Cup Win for Lincoln Green
As part of the Refugee Week celebrations, we took part in this years Refugee World Cup, an annual tournament bringing together teams from across Leeds in the spirit of solidarity, sport and celebration.
Danmore, our new Green Engagement Lead, rallied a brilliant team of Lincoln Greeners and friends. With great energy (and a bit of competitive spirit), they took to the pitch and won their match 2–1!
Apparently, the team spirit in our garden extends to the football pitch too!
Help Keep the Work Going
Everything we do, from Family Flourish Day to weekly workshops, is powered by community support.
If you believe in welcoming spaces, free creative programmes, and the power of bringing people together, please consider making a donation. Every contribution, big or small, helps us continue this work all year round.