STAR 2024/2025
Although our website has only just launched, we wanted to show the amazing work STAR did in the last year, and give a sneak peek of what’s to come!
We started the year with our first STAR x SLURP ceilidh- welcoming new students to the university and raising money for projects which support refugees around Edinburgh. We were honoured to welcome 200 guests, and raised more than £1000 for The Welcoming, as well as raising awareness of the necessity of activism in a joyful way!
Our volunteers helped welcome new students from Edinburgh Global, collecting and distributing household items, and giving very entertaining walking tours.
We welcomed a variety of amazing speakers to our weekly meetings, including speakers, academics and professionals working in the refugee sector. Every week our meetings were a forum for learning, discussion and organising. A highlight for many people was Zozan Yasar’s film screening, with a Q and A with the director, which gave a unique insight into personal experiences of refugees in the UK.
We supported the Justice for Palestine coalition at the university, including holding a film night, fundraiser, and attending protests around Edinburgh. Solidarity with the Palestinian cause is so important, and we look forward to welcoming more speakers and holding more events this year.
We distributed personalised Christmas presents to refugees around Edinburgh and Essex, in a mammoth effort that involved more than 30 volunteers and a lot of hard work in the cold! Each present had items which were matched to the recipients interests and hobbies, as well as a hand made Christmas card.
The fundraising concert was a huge success, raising money for Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle, and platforming new talent in Edinburgh. Alongside this major event, smaller fundraisers including a Tarot night and Valentine’s craft evening raised crucial money for Refugee services in our community.
Regular volunteering took place throughout the term, with members attending the conversation cafe and community fridge at the welcoming every week. Our members were also amazingly responsive and flexible, responding to demand when charities in the area needed extra hands!
In one of our last events of the year, STAR collaborated with many other charity societies to hold the charity ball— a much anticipated end of year event. As well as contributing to the organisation of the event, STAR also held a decoration making session where we were able to raise awareness of the issues we seek to address.
Much, much more happened in 2024/2025, and we’re looking forward to a great new academic year where we create a wider community!
