WINCHESTER organisations will support those fleeing violence and persecution with a series of free concerts for Refugee Week.

Monday, June 19 to Sunday, June 25 marks Refugee Week. Ahead of the national festival celebrating the resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary the Theatre Royal, in Jewry Street, will host a Winchester Sanctuary concert on Saturday, June 10.

The event supported by Play to the Crowd, Winchester City Council and Winchester Rotary aims to uplift people with the shared experiences of music and culture. The concert starts at 7.30pm and is free to attend but must be booked in advance. For tickets go to theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/winchester-sanctuary-concert?.

For ‘Make Music Day on Wednesday, June 21, The Arc will host an evening of West African Mandingue music by multi-instrumentalist N’famady Kouyaté from 7.45pm. No booking is required.

READ MORE: Winchester students join Ukrainian accordionist for spring showcase

On the same day, the inaugural Conference of the University of Winchester’s Sanctuary Network will be held at the West Downs Centre.

The event is aimed at schools, colleges and universities, that are interested in welcoming people seeking sanctuary. The conference will include workshops and networking for students, teachers and educators.

Guest speakers from Schools of Sanctuary, the International Rescue Committee and Refugee Education UK will give presentations explaining how to create welcoming environments for students who are refugees or asylum-seekers who may have suffered trauma.

Workshops will include music sessions run by the creative director of the University of Winchester Music Centre, Neil Valentine and Dr Olu Taiwo, senior lecturer in performing arts.

Head of participation and success at the university, Sarah-Harder-Collins, said: “Winchester is internationally recognised for championing sanctuary in education.

"We are committed to providing a welcome to asylum seekers and refugees and aim to embed a culture of awareness and inclusivity into all levels of the University’s work.”

Each educational establishment can bring up to eight students. For tickets go to eventbrite.co.uk/e/compassion-in-education-university-of-winchesters-sanctuary-network-tickets-633960832917.

Closing refugee week events will be a community concert at Winchester Cathedral. ‘Sing for Sanctuary’ will feature more than 150 performers of all ages.

SEE ALSO: Winchester City Council to transfer 16 HMOs for Ukrainian families

Among those taking part are Winchester Acapella, Encore Choirs and Winchester Festival Chorus alongside the junior choir from St Michael’s Church in Basset, the Blue Apple Theatre Choir and members of the Ukrainian community.

The concert will include renditions of Keep Changing the World by Mikeschair, Native American chants, Anna Tabbush’s uplifting Harbour, Ukrainian tunes from accordion virtuoso Volodymyr Vasylenko, snippets of Bob Marley and audience participation.

The finale will also see the premiere of You’re Not Alone written by Neil Valentine with young people from University Sanctuary Ambassadors and First Star Scholars.

University music director, Neil, said: “Everyone is welcome to this special concert. We hope people will lend their voices and presence in celebrating our shared humanity through music and song.”

The show runs from 3.30pm to 5pm with doors opening at 3pm. Audience members are welcome to stay on for Evensong for Sanctuary at 5.30pm. No booking is required and the event is suitable for all ages.