Pendle New Neighbours - PNN

17/06/2026

Today we celebrated Refugee Week by showing some films made by refugees, including by the talented Somayeh Roostaei who is on Part I of our Refugee 'Wall of Pride' which we also launched today. This is a photo exhibition celebrating people who fled war, conflict or persecution and came to Lancaster from 2016 onwards - people who learnt English, or studied, engaged, made friends and families, and are now working here or elsewhere in the UK.
Courage is the theme of this Refugee Week. These are all people who had the courage to undertake in some cases dangerous journeys and start life in a new country, from scratch, with nothing, often without even language. Our lovely Syrian colleague, for example, arrived in Lancaster 8 years ago with almost no English, but great digital skills and some of the best problem solving skills ever. Now he has a family and works 3 jobs (including for the NHS), pays tax, AND just received a distinction in the MA in Cyber security he was doing at the same time. Not really such an 'easy life'....!

16/06/2026

We love this new song that has just been released for primary schools. A song to celebrate your community, a place where we all matter! Lyrics and resource packs available on the Song for Schools website but you can hear it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BHm87AMUBM

16/06/2026

This , we stand 🧡

We are proud to be part of a movement celebrating the contributions, creativity, and resilience of people seeking sanctuary in this country. The theme for this year’s Refugee Week is courage, reminding us to be courageous, stand up for people seeking sanctuary, and learn from each other.

Join us.



16/06/2026

16/06/2026

🌟 VOLUNTEERS WANTED 🌟

Would you like to be part of one of Pendle's most colourful community celebrations?

Pendle Festival of Culture is looking for friendly volunteers to help us create a fantastic day for visitors, performers and local communities on Saturday 27th June in Nelson Town Centre.

Whether you can spare a couple of hours or the whole day, we'd love to hear from you.

Volunteer roles may include:
✨ Welcoming visitors
🎫Selling tickets
🎪 Helping at activity areas
🎭 Supporting performers and entertainers
ℹ️ Providing information and directions
😊 Being a friendly face throughout the day
No previous experience is needed – just enthusiasm, reliability and a willingness to get involved.

In return you get:
🍴 Free lunch and refreshments
📜 A reference for future employment, education or volunteering opportunities
🎯 Valuable experience working on a large community event
🤝 The chance to meet new people and make a real difference
The Festival of Culture celebrates the people, cultures, creativity and communities that make Pendle such a special place, and volunteers play a huge part in making it happen.

Interested?

📧 Contact: [email protected] (or DM the page)

Join us and help make this year's festival one to remember!

16/06/2026

✨ Spotlight on your Festival of Culture host ✨

Introducing Ajaz Qureshi.

Ajaz is a writer, performer and cultural practitioner from our very own Nelson, Lancashire. His work explores place, heritage, migration and community, often drawing on the stories of local people.

Over the past decade, he has worked across poetry, performance, education and community projects. He is the author of Full Nelson and is passionate about creating spaces where people can come together through culture, creativity and conversation.

💬 Ajaz says:

"It is a dream to be able to host the Festival of Culture for the place that made me who I am today. I am looking forward to celebrating that with the whole community and showcasing the diversity, inclusivity and cultures that make Pendle what it is.

I hope to see some familiar faces, meet some new ones, and make it a festival to remember."

We're delighted to have Ajaz hosting this year's Pendle Festival of Culture & Peace Walks.

You'll be in very safe hands. 💜

📅 Saturday 27th June 2026
🕛 12pm – 6pm
📍 Nelson Town Centre

16/06/2026

2 WEEKS TO GO! Are you ready for New Student Day?! We’re the #1 College in the Country, and we’re ready to welcome YOU! 🎉

This is your chance to experience life at college before September. Our New Student Day is packed with activities, fun experiences, time to hang out with friends and meet your future classmates – plus lots of delicious free food! 😋 Thursday 25th June

Register now: ncc.eastlancslearning.ac.uk/events (link in our bio)

16/06/2026

Every year, Refugee Week is a wonderful celebration of human resilience and the stories of kindness that exist within our communities.

The theme of this year’s Refugee Week ‘Courage’ has never felt more poignant as we feel courage is now needed more than ever before. Courage to have a difficult conversation with a neighbour, to listen empathetically to someone you don’t agree with, to offer help to a stranger, and to stand up for our shared human values of tolerance, kindness and respect.

And courage has also never been more needed for those seeking safety, rebuilding their lives from scratch having endured torturous, horrific journeys and fleeing unimaginable situations.

Courage is needed by all. Refugee Week isn’t only about refugees. It’s about all of us learning to celebrate difference, listen to each other and slowly build bridges not walls.

We have collected over 60 pieces of amazing art work from school pupils across Bradford District on the theme of 'Courage'. These are being exhibited in libraires across the district next week and there will be a video of all of them available online.

We will be sharing one each day over the next two weeks to get all of us thinking: what does courage look like for me? What courageous act can I do today? Remember, it's often the small things that count the most 😊

A huge thanks to Westminster CE Primary, Bankfoot Primary, Lilycroft Primary, Co-op Academy Penny Oaks , Hoyle Court Primary School and Bradford Libraries 🧡

(ps. this beautiful piece of art was made by a pupil at Westminster CE Primary)

Refugee Week City of Sanctuary Bradford City of Sanctuary