Athina Summerbell
@athinasummerbell.bsky.social
Head of Communications, Engagement & Policy at Welsh Refugee Council
👉All views are my own👈
Social justice advocate, consumer of coffee and true crime podcasts👌
Cymro 🏴 Polski 🇵🇱
👉All views are my own👈
Social justice advocate, consumer of coffee and true crime podcasts👌
Cymro 🏴 Polski 🇵🇱
Govt has scrapped the move-on extension, despite data showing it worked. Refugees get just 28 days to find homes. Forced into crisis, if they ask for help they risk losing their chance at citizenship. A plan that ignores evidence & punishes people for needing support.
inews.co.uk/news/new-rig...
inews.co.uk/news/new-rig...
New right-to-remain rules could apply to migrants already in UK
The Home Secretary is understood to be considering applying the policy to deal with concerns about the so-called ‘Boriswave'
inews.co.uk
September 30, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Govt has scrapped the move-on extension, despite data showing it worked. Refugees get just 28 days to find homes. Forced into crisis, if they ask for help they risk losing their chance at citizenship. A plan that ignores evidence & punishes people for needing support.
inews.co.uk/news/new-rig...
inews.co.uk/news/new-rig...
Reposted by Athina Summerbell
Thanks to @welshrefcouncil.bsky.social for the invite to the Celebration of Reugee Integration event at Westminster on Tuesday.
Inspiring to hear of the work being done, and important to hear how much more needs to be done across all our communities.
Inspiring to hear of the work being done, and important to hear how much more needs to be done across all our communities.
September 5, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Thanks to @welshrefcouncil.bsky.social for the invite to the Celebration of Reugee Integration event at Westminster on Tuesday.
Inspiring to hear of the work being done, and important to hear how much more needs to be done across all our communities.
Inspiring to hear of the work being done, and important to hear how much more needs to be done across all our communities.
This weekend I went back to writing. It can be hard to put into words what working in the asylum sector can sometimes feel like.
August 12, 2025 at 6:44 PM
This weekend I went back to writing. It can be hard to put into words what working in the asylum sector can sometimes feel like.
Reposted by Athina Summerbell
We @praxisprojects.bsky.social have coordinated this letter signed by over 100 refugee, migrant and racial equality organisations asking to meet with Yvette Cooper. Govt. must engage properly with civil society and we are ready to have a meaningful conversation.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Refugee charities demand meeting with Yvette Cooper after immigration crackdown
Exclusive: More than 100 charities and civil society groups call for ‘meaningful dialogue’ with home secretary after tough new immigration plans unveiled
www.independent.co.uk
May 16, 2025 at 1:27 PM
We @praxisprojects.bsky.social have coordinated this letter signed by over 100 refugee, migrant and racial equality organisations asking to meet with Yvette Cooper. Govt. must engage properly with civil society and we are ready to have a meaningful conversation.
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
Language matters. Using terms like "island of strangers" not only fuels racism but also puts real people's lives in danger.
Sir Keir Starmer said the UK risks becoming an ‘island of strangers’ as he unveiled plans for a crackdown on immigration
UK risks becoming ‘island of strangers’, says PM as he unveils immigration plans
Sir Keir Starmer said the UK risks becoming an “island of strangers” without controls on immigration as he unveiled a crackdown including plans to cut overseas care workers and tighten English languag...
wp.me
May 13, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Language matters. Using terms like "island of strangers" not only fuels racism but also puts real people's lives in danger.
Brilliant opportunity for free training from 👇👇👇 @promocymru.bsky.social
We’re running a free, one-day training on 25th March in Cardiff to help Welsh charities understand AI, its risks, and how to use it responsibly 🤖
If your organisation is just starting its AI journey, this course is for you!
Spaces are limited so make sure to register now
lu.ma/hm35o9jb
If your organisation is just starting its AI journey, this course is for you!
Spaces are limited so make sure to register now
lu.ma/hm35o9jb
FREE One-Day AI Training Course for the Welsh Third Sector · Luma
We’ve heard from you about the detrimental impact outdated systems, inefficient processes, and extensive reporting requirements have on organisations.
In our…
lu.ma
February 20, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Brilliant opportunity for free training from 👇👇👇 @promocymru.bsky.social
A cruel and unjustified move by the UK Government which will potentially affect over 70,000 refugees in the UK. There is zero logic behind this amendment and is clearly an inhumane and performative act. There is only one way to stop irregular arrivals and that's to create ACTUAL safe routes.
The Observer view: Change to UK citizenship rule is cruel and misjudged | Observer editorial
The government’s attempt to court Reform voters by penalising asylum seekers who arrive by the wrong route could backfire
www.theguardian.com
February 18, 2025 at 8:52 AM
A cruel and unjustified move by the UK Government which will potentially affect over 70,000 refugees in the UK. There is zero logic behind this amendment and is clearly an inhumane and performative act. There is only one way to stop irregular arrivals and that's to create ACTUAL safe routes.
Reposted by Athina Summerbell
Today this government has published the latest in what's become a near annual tradition of pushing hostile, and counterproductive, anti-asylum legislation.
This bill does not provide alternatives for people seeking asylum, and fails to provide any genuine protection.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This bill does not provide alternatives for people seeking asylum, and fails to provide any genuine protection.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
New crime of endangering lives to target small boat crossings
Border officials will also get powers to seize migrants' phones, under new laws unveiled by the Home Office.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 30, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Today this government has published the latest in what's become a near annual tradition of pushing hostile, and counterproductive, anti-asylum legislation.
This bill does not provide alternatives for people seeking asylum, and fails to provide any genuine protection.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This bill does not provide alternatives for people seeking asylum, and fails to provide any genuine protection.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
If anyone would like to come and chat about refugee housing and homelessness, myself and Gareth will be at the @cymorthcymru.bsky.social annual conference all day! Come say hey!
January 29, 2025 at 10:08 AM
If anyone would like to come and chat about refugee housing and homelessness, myself and Gareth will be at the @cymorthcymru.bsky.social annual conference all day! Come say hey!
A personal one today.
My Omi (Nan) fled Poland as a child, enduring camps before finding safety in the UK. Many of our family weren’t so fortunate—some were killed in those camps, others died in the resistance.
I hope she’d be proud that our family continues to fight for the rights of others.
My Omi (Nan) fled Poland as a child, enduring camps before finding safety in the UK. Many of our family weren’t so fortunate—some were killed in those camps, others died in the resistance.
I hope she’d be proud that our family continues to fight for the rights of others.
January 27, 2025 at 7:12 PM
A personal one today.
My Omi (Nan) fled Poland as a child, enduring camps before finding safety in the UK. Many of our family weren’t so fortunate—some were killed in those camps, others died in the resistance.
I hope she’d be proud that our family continues to fight for the rights of others.
My Omi (Nan) fled Poland as a child, enduring camps before finding safety in the UK. Many of our family weren’t so fortunate—some were killed in those camps, others died in the resistance.
I hope she’d be proud that our family continues to fight for the rights of others.
Louder for the people in the back 👏
January 26, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Louder for the people in the back 👏
👏👏👏
Kayode Aseweje moved to Wales from Nigeria in 2019 to study Law, and is making headlines after learning Welsh as a way to get to know Wales and Welsh culture better
The Nigerian learning Welsh to get to know Wales better
Kayode Aseweje moved to Wales from Nigeria in 2019 to study Law, and is making headlines after learning Welsh as a way to get to know Wales and Welsh culture better. Kayode’s inspiring Welsh language-...
nation.cymru
January 25, 2025 at 1:19 PM
👏👏👏
Reposted by Athina Summerbell
Great to be at @aberuni.bsky.social for the Pathway to Peace workshop and listening to the Welsh Refugee Council on how to develop trauma-informed storytelling. Brilliant to see the synergy with the Trauma-informed Wales Framework
January 23, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Great to be at @aberuni.bsky.social for the Pathway to Peace workshop and listening to the Welsh Refugee Council on how to develop trauma-informed storytelling. Brilliant to see the synergy with the Trauma-informed Wales Framework
Great day speaking at this event ✨
Ran our workshop on #Digital #Storytelling as Pathway to #Peace in Wales, collaborating with Welsh Refugee Council, Academi Heddwch, ACEs Hub Wales and People's Collection of Wales! Discussing power of stories to challenge #extremism in #Wales, and unite communities! wrc.wales/aberystwyth-...
Aberystwyth University creating pathways to peace in Wales. - Welsh Refugee Council
Yesterday, the Welsh Refugee Council had the privilege of joining Aberystwyth University for an event that struck at the heart of what we stand for: amplifying voices, sharing stories, and building un...
wrc.wales
January 24, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Great day speaking at this event ✨
Gwych!
A student from Hong Kong has attracted hundreds of thousands of views to a video of a road trip he took across Wales speaking Welsh to locals
Hong Kong student urges people to support minority languages after learning Welsh
A student from Hong Kong has gone viral with a video of his journey around Wales speaking Welsh. Israel Lai, who is a composer studying composition at Manchester University, has learned nine different...
nation.cymru
January 21, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Gwych!
Huge thank you to everyone who has been showing their care and support for the WRC. Hate won't win 💪✨
January 19, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Huge thank you to everyone who has been showing their care and support for the WRC. Hate won't win 💪✨
Hi Bluesky, I've heard it's a much nicer place to be!
January 14, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Hi Bluesky, I've heard it's a much nicer place to be!
Reposted by Athina Summerbell
Solidarity with our friends and colleagues at the Welsh Refugee Council, one of our member organisations, who do such incredible work supporting and empowering refugees and people in the asylum system in Wales. No one should face abuse or threats just for doing their job.
Welsh Refugee Council staff 'harassed' after Musk shares X post
Staff at the charity say some colleagues have had death threats after Musk shared the post on X.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 14, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Solidarity with our friends and colleagues at the Welsh Refugee Council, one of our member organisations, who do such incredible work supporting and empowering refugees and people in the asylum system in Wales. No one should face abuse or threats just for doing their job.
Reposted by Athina Summerbell
We're deeply disturbed to see our colleagues at Welsh Refugee Council be subjected to online abuse due to a false, inflammatory claim retweeted by Elon Musk on X.
January 14, 2025 at 12:19 PM
We're deeply disturbed to see our colleagues at Welsh Refugee Council be subjected to online abuse due to a false, inflammatory claim retweeted by Elon Musk on X.
Reposted by Athina Summerbell
The Welsh Refugee Council will pursue a complaint with the Senedd's Standards Commissioner over a 'factually incorrect and misleading' video of school girls shared online by Conservative MS Andrew RT Davies ✍️ Emily Price
Andrew RT Davies reported to standards commissioner over school girl social media post
Emily Price The Welsh Refugee Council will pursue a complaint with the Senedd’s Standards Commissioner over a “factually incorrect and misleading” video of school girls shared online by Conservative ...
nation.cymru
January 13, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The Welsh Refugee Council will pursue a complaint with the Senedd's Standards Commissioner over a 'factually incorrect and misleading' video of school girls shared online by Conservative MS Andrew RT Davies ✍️ Emily Price
Reposted by Athina Summerbell
Hate and division cannot win.
Love, compassion and humanity is the answer.
Proud that @platfform.org are standing together in solidarity with our friends in Welsh Refugee Council ❤️.
Love, compassion and humanity is the answer.
Proud that @platfform.org are standing together in solidarity with our friends in Welsh Refugee Council ❤️.
Recent social media attacks on the Welsh Refugee Council make use of politically-motivated misinformation to malign a charity that works in support of humanity, dignity, and our national reputation.
We stand in support of the WRC.
Full statement here: platfform.org/news/wrc-sta...
We stand in support of the WRC.
Full statement here: platfform.org/news/wrc-sta...
Statement on recent social media attacks against the Welsh Refugee Council
Recent social media attacks on the Welsh Refugee Council make use of misinformation to malign a charity that works in support of humanity and dignity.
platfform.org
January 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Hate and division cannot win.
Love, compassion and humanity is the answer.
Proud that @platfform.org are standing together in solidarity with our friends in Welsh Refugee Council ❤️.
Love, compassion and humanity is the answer.
Proud that @platfform.org are standing together in solidarity with our friends in Welsh Refugee Council ❤️.