Green Man Festival Celebrates 10 Years of Refugee Training Programme

Green Man Festival in Wales is marking the 10th anniversary of its refugee training programme, run by the Green Man Trust. Since 2016, the initiative has trained 191 refugees and asylum seekers from 52 countries, including Afghanistan, Libya, Sudan, Pakistan, Syria, Nepal, Yemen, and Ukraine. Participants, mostly aged 18–28 but some in their late 50s, learn skills such as communication, front-of-house work, food management, and money management. Many had never attended a festival or camped before. Mina, a cyclist from Afghanistan who fled the Taliban in 2022, said the programme helped her feel more connected to life in the UK; she will graduate from university this summer and return to Green Man, which this year features headliners Wolf Alice, Mogwai, Wilco, and Four Tet. Javid, also from Afghanistan, noted that under the Taliban music is banned, and his first concert experience at Green Man gave him a "big chunk of positive energy" that helped him resume running. Olga from Ukraine praised the "positive vibes" and sense of belonging. M from Egypt, who initially struggled with English, now works in a cafe and returns for a fourth time, hoping to one day perform at the festival. Festival owner Fiona Stewart emphasized that Green Man provides a safe environment for integration, contrasting with hostile media coverage. Participants receive camping equipment and warm clothing. The programme aims to build confidence and skills for new lives in the UK.