For Refugee Week 2025, Liverpool City Council has been proud to share the stories of people who have sought sanctuary in our city, and the communities that have welcomed them.
Under the theme Community as a Superpower, we heard directly from individuals who have faced displacement, found connection, and started to rebuild their lives right here in Liverpool. Their voices remind us that welcome isn’t a one-off gesture, it’s something that’s built over time, in everyday spaces, through small acts of care and solidarity.
Each story is different. But together, they reflect the strength of our communities, the impact of inclusive support, and the importance of standing with people who have been forced to start again.
Meet the voices behind the stories
- Liudmyla, who fled war in Ukraine and was welcomed into a Liverpool family, speaks about finding not just safety, but warmth and solidarity.
- Anna, also from Ukraine, found purpose through creative training with LUMA Creations, rediscovering her confidence through art and community.
- Roya, a Syrian refugee, joined a women’s baking group at SOLA Arts, where she found laughter, healing and sisterhood.
- Betty, a mother from Nigeria, arrived in Liverpool feeling alone. With support from 4Wings, she found her voice and began to feel at home.
- Josef, originally from Iran, passed through multiple countries before arriving in Liverpool, a city where he now feels safe, supported and seen, thanks to Bridge 2.
- Oksana, from Ukraine, started with no English and little hope. Through SOLA Arts’ English classes, she found confidence, connection and a new outlook on life.
- And Remzye, a volunteer coordinator at Bridge 2, reminded us how vital it is to stand beside people seeking asylum, with dignity, compassion and community.
Each of these voices is part of Liverpool’s ongoing story as a city of sanctuary, a place shaped by migration, strengthened by diversity, and defined by everyday acts of welcome. Learn more about the Our Liverpool Plan, our city’s strategy for coordinated migrant support.
You can watch the full series of video stories from Refugee Week 2025 below.
