On this page we have collated resources specific to Wales and/or available in Welsh language.
Welsh Schools of Sanctuary Resource Pack
Now available to download!
Lesson Plans and Classroom Activities
The Holocaust and Wales: Kindertransport– In this collection of resources, we explore some of the stories of child refugees who came on Kindertransport to Wales. These resources are suitable for teaching Key Stage 3 learners.
The Holocaust and Wales: Jewish Artists in Wales – In this collection of resources, students can learn about Jewish artists Josef Herman and Heinz Koppel, who fled Nazi persecution to live and work in Wales. Through art, drama and movement, students can learn about the artists and create their own artistic works. These resources are suitable for teaching Key Stage 4 learners.
The Holocaust and Wales: Kristallnacht – In this collection of resources, we explore former Welsh resident, Julius Weil’s recollections of Kristallnacht. These resources are suitable for teaching Key Stage 4 learners.
Stand with Refugees – Use these cross-curricular teaching ideas to support Key Stage 2 and 3 learners to strengthen their enquiry skills, think critically about why some people are forced to flee, and develop empathy for others. We all want to live in a place of safety with our loved ones. A place we can call home. But conflict, disaster and poverty has made home a distant memory for millions of people. Resource created by Oxfam, Welsh translation funded by Welsh Government.
Stories of Sanctuary in Wales – A classroom resource exploring asylum and refuge in Wales which aims to develop learners’ understanding of and empathy with those seeking sanctuary. Suitable for Key Stages 3 and 4, it includes a PowerPoint quiz , a refugee role play and five case studies about asylum and refugees in Wales, each with suggested learning activities that can be used on their own or in combination plus links to additional resources.
Understanding sanctuary, refugees, conflict, and Russia’s war in Ukraine – A four unit set of resources and teachers’ guides developed by Aberystwyth University. These resources focus on sanctuary in Wales, Russia’s war in Ukraine, war and conflict, and refugees and asylum seekers with the aim of providing educators with the tools to discuss sensitive and contemporary issues with a range of age groups. The learning activities can be used to stimulate discussion and raise awareness of issues such as conflict, peace, migration, and borders amongst pupils to help them become ethical, informed citizens of Wales and the world.
Videos
DAD: Into Film – Cai, a young boy living on a Welsh coastal resort takes solace on the beach to avoid tension at home, where his father who has recently returned from war is struggling to readjust. Out wandering one day Cai comes across a lonely boy not much older than him, who has been living on the beach. Unsure how to help the refugee boy, whose name is Amir, Cai gets his father involved. Despite not having a common language, Cai’s father and Amir discover that they are both
having trouble dealing with the trauma of their wartime experiences.
Refugee Voices Wales: film on the experiences of refugees who have made their home in Wales – A film by Dr Gwennan Higham, made with refugees who have recently been given the right to stay in Britain by the Home Office. They discuss their experiences of making their home in Wales, living here during the pandemic, the links they have with local people, and their perceptions of Wales, identity and the Welsh language. This film is aimed at Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 learners.
Uncle Ahmad’s Canaries Short Film – Created at The Welfare Ystradgynlais with Syrian families living in the area, Uncle Ahmad’s Canaries is based on their stories of moving to Wales and making their home in the Valleys. The families were also involved in creating the animation which is a poignant story of hope and survival.
Cynefin – In 2018, The Welfare Ystradgynlais’ community arts team worked with Ysgol Maesydderwen, Ysgol Dyffryn Y Glowyr and Syrian families who have settled in Ystradgynlais to tell stories of refugees past and present. Cynefin is a short film made by the schools about Polish artist Josef Herman’s arrival in the Welsh valleys and voiced by Hollywood star Michael Sheen. The talented pupils came up with the idea, wrote the script and created the characters and backdrops, they tried out stop-motion animation and also created the films score with BAFTA Award Winning Composer Tic Ashfield.
Other
Refugee Wales: The Afterlife of Violence (Museum Wales)– A collections of testimonies from Welsh refugee residents.