Your chance to raise money and awareness come courtesy of WeWork.
It’s easy to look at the state of the world and feel a little powerless to help. But it doesn’t have to be that way. WeWork have already done wonderful work with an initiative to hire 1500 refugees by 2022, and they’re now getting further involved. To celebrate World Refugee Week, WeWork is hosting two inspiring events to support refugees across the world, and you’re invited to get involved. Not only will they highlight the contributions refugees make to the UK, but hopefully they’ll inspire you to pitch in and help.
The first event is also (conveniently) a rather delicious one. Bake For Syria (and its predecessor Cook For Syria) have put on some yummy pop-ups around the capital in the past year, raising funds for UNICEF and their appeal for the children of Syria. Now, they’re kicking fundraising into overdrive with the release of the official Bake For Syria cookbook, which has been put together by the likes of Hoxton bakery Lily Vanilli and food blogger Clerkenwell Boy. It’s being launched on June 20th – World Refugee Day – at WeWork Waterhouse Square, and you’d better believe there will be delicious treats on offer when you head on over.
The event kicks off at 8:30am with a mouthwatering breakfast. Baker and author extraordinaire Henrietta Inman will serve up banana bread with labneh, whilst Islington bakehouse Popham’s Bakery will indulge your sweet tooth with Syrian-inspired baklava. Once you’re nice and full, WeWork is hosting a panel discussion about social change and the refugee crisis. Three inspiring speakers, each deeply invested in improving the lives of refugees, will share their experiences, and inspire those of you with a passion for social change to make a difference in this world. The event is free, but your contribution is invaluable, and every donation will make a huge difference: just £5 could feed a child for a week. We’d definitely recommend the Bake For Syria cookbook – that £25 will provide almost 200 children with polio vaccines, and you get a book full of amazing recipes into the bargain. Win win, really.
On June 21st, WeWork, in partnership with UNHCR (the United Nations Refugee Agency) is hosting a pop-up, celebrating the art, music, food, and culture of those who’ve been forced to flee their homelands. It’s an incredible immersion into the culture of the Middle East, and will raise awareness at the same time. You’ll enjoy food cooked by refugee chefs working with Migrateful and Aleppo Supper Club, discovering new cuisines in the process. Londoner JJ Bola will read his electrifying poetry, informed in part by his experience of coming to the UK as a six year old refugee. Meanwhile, Rihab Azar will perform traditional Syrian music on the oud, bringing a whole new kind of storytelling to the evening.
You’ll be able to meet refugees making a new life for themselves in the UK, to hear their stories of escape, and their hopes for the future. WeWork is also hosting a unique pop-up shop in conjunction with MADE 51, which brings artisan crafts made by refugees to the global market. Buying an intricately crafted cushion or a tote bag made from old refugee tent doesn’t just help keep traditional crafts alive – every pound you spend here goes directly to helping refugees around the world. Sign yourself up for this incredible night.
They say that every little helps. Nowhere is that more true than at these events, where your spare change can have an immeasurably great impact in improving the lives of refugees around the globe. Now is the time to make a change, and the power is in your hands.
Both events will take place at WeWork Waterhouse Square, 138 Holborn, EC1N 2SW. RSVP for the Bake For Syria event here, and book your place at the pop-up night here.