MEMBERS of the public are being invited to an interactive exhibition aimed at creating the plight and experiences of asylum seekers worldwide.
Organised by Penrith and Eden Refugee Network and Carlisle Refugee Action Group, Escape to Safety will be open to both students and the broader community at Carlisle College.
Those visiting will have the chance to step into the shoes of an asylum seeker, confronting simulations of the scenarios and treatment many face as they escape war or persecution from their home countries.
Carlisle College will house the exhibition for a fortnight, with plans to extend invitations to other local schools to visit.
Already, Escape to Safety has toured over 100 schools across the UK.
Members of the public are being invited to drop in for the community events held at the college on February 29 and March 5 from 4.30pm to 7.30pm.
These are free, informal drop-in sessions and no booking is required.
Escape to Safety was developed by Global Link, a Lancaster-based Development Education Centre.
It offers visitors a vivid experience of asylum-seeking, as they traverse through eight 'rooms', each symbolising different stages of an asylum-seekers' journey to the UK.
Personal MP3 players provide visitors with the narrative of refugee voices as they interact with various officials during their experience.
Sarah Wilson, co-ordinator of Penrith and Eden Refugee Network, said “Experiencing this exhibition reinforced to me how many different countries refugees escape from and what harrowing stories they have.
"It made me appreciate my own freedom to think and speak out without fear of persecution or torture to me or my family.
“Penrith and Eden Refugee Network and Carlisle Refugee Action Groups are local organisations trying to express principles of our common humanity.
"We aim to support all refugees and asylum seekers by helping them to participate and belong in their community and to become self-reliant," she said.
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