Programme
Wednesday: Exploring our history
Where did we come from? Where are we going?
The movement for migrant justice is about more than this one moment in time. It is also about the countless moments across history that have shaped our work. Events that took place before any of us were born. Hard won achievements that some of us worked tirelessly to secure. Bitter disappointments that have fuelled our continuous fight. Moments of progress and moments of regression.
As we explore what makes a movement for migrant justice, we start by taking time to connect with our history - the stories of solidarity, ideas, beliefs and challenges that have shaped who we are and where we are. During our first day together, we will remember these moments, uncover what we can learn from our journey, and situate our own work within the vast span of time and wisdom of those who came before us.
What
When
Where
Grounding session
Welcome to the Migration Residential 2025!
Consider this session your anchor - it's all about grounding you for the coming days. We'll get underneath what this year's theme is about, take time for introductions to your fellow attendees, and get clear on how we'll be spending these days together.
11:00
Wotton Suite
10:00
Arrivals & Registration
Lunch
13:15
1877 restaurant
Reflecting on our history
The history of the migrant justice movement in the UK is long, rich and complex.
In this interactive panel conversation, we will discuss some of the ideas, beliefs and moments that have shaped the movement over the years.
You will be invited to join our speakers throughout the session to offer your own perspectives and experiences, if you would like to.
14:15
Wotton Suite
Connecting to history
Following the interactive panel conversations, this session will focus on self-guided small group explorations of the history of the movement for migrant justice, giving you the chance to place yourself and your organisation in the journey so far.
15:50
Wotton Suite
Break
Long break to enjoy the venue, connect with others or rest.
Check-in is available from 17:00 in the Old Library.
16:30
Dinner
18:00
1877 restaurant
Quiz night
Come test your knowledge of random facts, meet other attendees and work together for a chance to win prizes! 🎉🏆🧠
19:00
Wotton Suite
Live music
Closing our first evening, the London-based Brazilian quartet Sambossa joins us for an evening of live bossa nova and samba music.
20:30
Old Library Garden
Thursday: A vibrant ecology
What are the different ways we can achieve change, and what’s your role in it? How do we deal with the differences in our movement?
During our second day, you’ll be guided through a deep exploration of the challenges of working in a diverse movement for justice. We’ll centre self-reflection and participate in small facilitated discussions. Our workshop break-out sessions are designed to help you explore topics like power, lived experience, money and resources, and more.
What
When
Where
Breakfast
7:00 - 10:00
1877 restaurant
Belonging to a ‘movement ecology’
Welcome back! In this session, we will get to grips with what a "movement ecology" means and how it relates to our collective work.
We’ll spend some time exploring how each of our organisations fit together in this wider context, and our different roles in achieving change.
10:00
Wotton Suite
Relating to difference in a ‘movement ecology’
Achieving transformative change requires a diverse collective of different people working together towards our shared goals. But differences of power, identity, lived experience, resource, ideology and more can make this collective endeavour feel almost impossible to overcome.
In this session, we will start exploring some of these challenges before breaking into smaller groups to explore the differences we struggle to relate to or work through, so that we build a stronger movement for change.
11:00
Wotton Suite
Exploring difference
(round 1)
What difference do you struggle to relate to or work through in working with others?
Guided by a facilitator, you will join a small group to explore how you and others relate to differences in the movement. Everyone will have the chance to explore two ‘differences’ - one before and another after lunch.
12:00
Break-out rooms
Lunch
13:30
1877 restaurant
Exploring difference
(round 2)
What difference do you struggle to relate to or work through in working with others?
Guided by a facilitator, you will join a small group to explore how you and others relate to differences in the movement. Everyone will have the chance to explore two ‘differences’ - one before and another after lunch.
14:30
Break-out rooms
Break
Long break to enjoy the venue, connect with others or take some time for yourself.
16:00
Coming together
Following the break-out conversations, we’ll come back together to reconnect, share discoveries and look ahead to our last day.
17:30
Wotton Suite
Dinner
18:30
1877 Restaurant
Drumming workshop
One-Drum uses the positive power of drumming to deliver real benefit to individuals and groups - from emotional release to connection and trust building. Led by award-winning Ghanaian Master Drummer Abass Doodo this interactive session will help us wrap-up the day with warmth, joy and energy.
20:00
Old Library
Friday: Legacy & visions
What legacy do we want to leave? What future are we building?
During our final day, we will reflect on what we have uncovered over these days together and what we can bring along with us to continue our different roles within the movement. We then turn to the future, reflecting on our individual and collective visions for migrant justice before considering the practical steps to move us closer towards it.
What
When
Where
Breakfast & check-out
Please check-out by 10am. You can store your luggage at reception.
7:00 - 10:00
1877 restaurant
Legacy for the movement
As we wrap-up our time together, what lessons, inspirations and connections we want to take with us? What kind of contribution would we like this time together to have to our movement?
10:00
Wotton Suite
Visions for the movement
What is your vision for the migrant justice movement? What would a world in which this vision becomes a reality look like? Do we share a vision for this future? Does it matter if we don’t?
During our last session, we will consider what "a world where everyone is free to move, and no one is forced to move" means for each of us.
Does it energise you or create fear? Is this vision for dreamers alone, or does it inspire pragmatists too? What might that kind of world look like? What would we require to get to that kind of world in the short, medium and long term?
You’ll be offered a range of options to engage with this session - from creative exercises, small group discussions to solo reflective work.
11:00
Wotton Suite
12:30
Wrap-up & close
Lunch & departures
Enjoy your lunch in the venue’s beautiful gardens or grab a packed lunch on your way back home.