THE newly-established Craven District of Sanctuary launched its plan of action at the start of national refugee week.

The launch at Skipton Library was attended by councillors, supporters and members of refugee groups from across Craven, and also Sgt Paul Evans, from the neighbourhood policing team.

And, it took place on Friday last week, at the start of the nationwide refugee week, an annual event which celebrates the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees.

Chris Rose, chair of Craven District of Sanctuary, and the last vice-chair of the former Craven District Council spoke of the partnership between local refugee support groups and the council in making Craven a truly welcoming area.

Establishing the Craven District of Sanctuary was one of the last projects instigated by the former district council before it ceased to exist at the end of March, to be replaced by North Yorkshire Council.

Maggie Bruno explained the work of the Bentham Refugee Support group showing that small communities with few refugees themselves, can do much to support refugees and to raise awareness and understanding generally.

Philippa Abbott, outreach librarian, outlined what the North Yorkshire Library Service offers to refugees and to other groups who are making a new life in the area, and who might find it difficult to access resources and information.

The North Yorkshire Library service has recently been awarded city of sanctuary status as a 'library service of sanctuary'.

Fiona Protheroe shared a recently published children's book, by Dales-based author Katie Daynes, with Ashe de Sousa, and illustrated by Oksana Drachkovska and on which Fiona was the refugee advisor.

The book is one of Katie's 'Lift the Flap Questions and Answers about' series and contains the kind of questions children ask about refugees.

As well as the action plan, the library display includes facts and figures on refugee flows and asylum decisions; information about local refugee groups and Craven District of Sanctuary.

There is also a booklet of volunteer and refugee stories; and, a display of library books and a list of book recommendations. Visitors to the display are invited to post messages about what ‘compassion in action’, this year’s refugee week theme, means to them, and there are some posters for children to colour in and take home.

The display will run until Monday (June 26) during Skipton Library's opening hours. There is also a display for refugee week in the reception area of Skipton Town Hall.

Katie's Lift the Flap Questions and Answers about Refugees is published by Usborne and can be found at: https://usborne.com/gb/lift-the-flap-questions-and-answers-about-refugees-9781803709987

Find out more about Craven District of Sanctuary at: https://craven.cityofsanctuary.org/