+44 1753 574 780

[email protected]

Donate

Breaking Barriers, Building Connections: Celebrating Refugee Week

Breaking Barriers, Building Connections: Celebrating Refugee Week

by | Jun 3, 2026 | Cohesion, Events, Participation, Refugees, Slough, Slough community, Social Action, social impact, Youth Activities, Youth Work

At Together As One, we are incredibly proud to mark Refugee Week once again. For over 20 years, our annual rounders game at Upton Court Park has been a staple activity. Why rounders? Because we firmly believe that sport is a language of its own, possessing a unique power to transcend language barriers.

While football is often the go-to game, it can sometimes feel elitist and doesn’t always offer the best environment for genuine bonding. A game of rounders, on the other hand, brings everyone in!

This year, we are thrilled to expand our celebrations by adding a brand-new Games Night to our activities. The brainchild of our brilliant young volunteers, this night is envisioned not only as a conduit for connection but also as a fantastic opportunity to support refugee and asylum-seeking young people with their English language skills.

The Power of Slough’s Partnerships

The true strength of Slough’s Refugee Week lies in community collaboration. This isn’t a solo effort; the real power comes from partnership working. We are proud to bring Together As One (TAO) alongside Slough Borough Council, Slough Children First, and Slough Refugee Support. Alongside these partners, we rely heavily on the dedication of local foster carers and supported lodgings providers, who are key to involving the children and young people.

Refugee Week 2025

Refugee Week 2025

The Event Details

We have two fantastic events lined up, and we would love for you to join us. Here is everything you need to know:

1. The Rounders Match

  • Location: Upton Court Park. We will meet in the main car park (Upton Court Road, Langley, SL3 7LU).

  • Time: Meet between 6:00 pm and 6:15 pm.

  • Date: Tuesday 16th June

  • The Grand Finale: We will conclude the game with fresh pizza! Everyone will be ready for collection at 8:00 pm from the same car park.

2. Langley Youth Cafe: Games Night

  • Location: The Guide Hall in Kedermister Park (SL3 7QD).

  • Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM as part of our regular Langley Youth Cafe session.

  • Date: Wednesday 17th June

Who are these events for?

The rounders game has been organised largely by Together As One’s young volunteers, a passionate group of young people aged 11 to 18 (and up to 25 for those with SEND).

We welcome all young people within this age category to both events, but we are extending a particularly warm welcome to young people from refugee or unaccompanied asylum-seeking backgrounds.

Finding the right event

We know that different young people thrive in different environments, so we have two options:

  • The Rounders Game: A big, high-energy event that can accommodate up to 60 young people.

  • The Games Night: Held at the Langley Youth Cafe, this tends to be a much quieter, more relaxed session with an average of 10–12 young people in attendance.

What if my young person doesn’t know the rules?

Don’t worry at all! No prior experience or English fluency is required.

Is There a Sign-Up Form?

Yes, please! To help us keep everyone safe and ensure we have enough pizza, we need a few details before the day:

  • First-Time Attendees: If a young person is attending a Together As One event for the first time, please complete our master Upshot form here to provide emergency contacts and health information.

  • Rounders Consent Form: For those joining us on the pitch, the specific event consent form can be found here.

Additional Resources

A flyer for the Games Night can be found here:

LYC_Games_Night

LYC Games Night

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

SEND Careers Fair Returns for Second Year, Inspiring Over 100 Young People

SEND Careers Fair Returns for Second Year, Inspiring Over 100 Young People

by | Mar 31, 2026 | Events, Jobs, Langley, Participation, Schools, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities SEND

On Wednesday 25 March, more than 100 young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) attended the second annual SEND Careers Fair, building on the success of last year’s event.

Organised by Slough and Langley College in partnership with local young people’s charity Together As One, the fair provided attendees with a wide range of valuable and engaging experiences designed to support their future career aspirations.

The need for the careers fair was first identified through participation work with young people with SEND at Slough’s SEND Youth Forum, as well as through engagement at the college itself. This work highlighted that SEND-friendly careers support was a clear priority for students, both within the college and across the wider community. The event has been developed in direct response to young people’s voices and their desire for more inclusive, accessible pathways into employment.

Young people had the opportunity to meet with over 20 employers and learn about a variety of career pathways available to them. They also heard directly from professionals with SEND, who shared their personal career journeys and offered inspiration and practical advice. In addition, attendees participated in interactive workshops and mock interviews aimed at developing their confidence and employability skills.

Students meet Lottie Barr from Buttons & Bubbles.

Students meet Lottie Barr from Buttons & Bubbles.

Darcie Kitchener, a therapist with Albright Therapy and Mind North Kent, praised the event:

“Speaking to the young people today was an absolute honour. They were so engaged and excited to hear about working in mental health, with so many of them passionate about helping others when they enter the world of work. I was moved by some of the thoughtful and interesting questions they asked – I think I’ve left feeling more inspired than them! I’m so grateful I got to be a part of this inspirational day.”

Rob Deeks, CEO of Together As One, added:

“We are enormously grateful to the college for bringing this event back for a second year and to all of the professionals who gave up their time to join us on the day. It was a privilege to see young people’s confidence grow throughout the day. The atmosphere was so positive and the interactions were so meaningful. We’re looking forward to next year already!”

The event welcomed students from a number of local schools and institutions, including Slough & Eton, Ditton Park Academy, Beechwood School, Manor Green School, Arbour Vale School, Beech Lodge, and Slough and Langley College itself.

The continued success of the SEND Careers Fair highlights the importance of inclusive opportunities that empower young people with SEND to explore their ambitions and prepare for meaningful futures in the workplace.