Posted: June 28, 2023   •   Posted in: Action

Refugee Tales – Letting our lives speak

As Quakers we are encouraged to find ways to ‘let our lives speak’.

Be patterns, be examples in all countries, places, islands, nations, wherever you come, that your carriage and life may preach among all sorts of people, and to them; then you will come to walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in every one.

George Fox, 1656 (Quaker faith & practice)

Some Quakers find they are led to forms of social action. In Beccles Meeting, for example, there are Quakers involved in climate concerns. Others work with refugees in this country or in Palestine, and some are engaged in peace work, or in actions against poverty.  We also try to let our lives speak in perhaps less organised, but no less influential ways, in the day-to-day living of our Quaker values of peace, equality and justice, truth and integrity, simplicity and sustainability.  These values are also known as testimonies.  Nicky is especially led to work to support refugees to this country.

Are you alert to practices here and throughout the world which discriminate against people on the basis of who or what they are or because of their beliefs? Bear witness to the humanity of all people, including those who break society’s conventions or its laws. Try to discern new growing points in social and economic life. Seek to understand the causes of injustice, social unrest and fear. Are you working to bring about a just and compassionate society which allows everyone to develop their capacities and fosters the desire to serve?

Quaker faith & practice Advices & Queries No. 33

For several years now Nicky has been involved in ‘Refugee Tales’, an annual five-day walk aimed at raising awareness about the way the UK treats refugees and asylum seekers.   Her support for Refugee Tales began before she started to attend Quakers on a regular basis.  However this engagement does allow Nicky to express her values in her actions, which as Quakers we are encouraged to do.

Each year Nicky joins Refugee Tales. We asked her to tell us about this wonderful organisation and her involvement.

Please describe Refugee Tales

Refugee Tales is an annual five-day walk aimed at raising awareness about the way the UK treats refugees and asylum seekers. In 2023 the walk will go from Crawley to Worthing. Each evening, in churches and village halls along the way, there is an event with music and the reading of tales. Some are by leading writers who have collaborated with a person with lived experience and some people tell their own story. The performances are free and attract large local audiences. The walkers eat and sleep in the village halls/churches.

How did you become involved?

In 2015, when the project was beginning, a friend invited me and my partner Sal to join it. We thought it sounded mad and that it would be a total disaster, so we joined in sympathy and solidarity. It was a resounding success, and has grown in support and effect from then on.

What has delighted you?

Getting to know some of the refugees, and other supporters, and being able to be part of a welcome – to counteract the official hostile environment which the UK government has striven to create.

What has challenged you?

Discovering the gulf in attitudes between me and some of the refugees – on subjects such as homosexuality. Trying to find topics of conversation as we walk. Sleeping in a sometimes quite noisy environment.

Are any Quaker values (testimonies) expressed in this experience?

My involvement with Refugee Tales is rooted in looking for that of God in everyone, believing that we must behave decently to one another on this earth, and that people in dire trouble need help, respect and a chance to thrive and contribute. For so many refugees – the need to flee their home countries arises from war. Britain’s global track record in this is not a source of pride. The Quaker emphasis on peace-building is a strong foundation for my belief in the urgent necessity of welcome.
Some of the other volunteers working on the project are of various faiths, and very many are staunch atheists. We all collaborate to imagine and work towards a better future.

What would you like to say to others?

I was completely shocked when I learnt about the way refugees are treated in the UK – about the detention without time limit, about the conditions in detention centres and the behaviour of staff, about the voucher system and the whole catalogue of ways in which refugees are made unwelcome. If more people knew what is being done in our name then I think they’d join me in campaigning for an end to immigration detention, speedier processing of asylum claims and fairer treatment for asylum seekers.

How can someone learn more about Refugee Tales? 

There is a great website, so do take a look to learn more about Refugee Tales and their Walking Inquiry.