No Place Like Home – Art and Poetry Competition for Schools

Let's Build Empathy

Sanctuary Foundation is proud to present an exciting new art and poetry competition that invites 7-19 year olds to reflect on what life is like for the 43.3 million children around the world who are displaced. 

Students can create either a  piece of artwork or a piece of poetry illustrating their empathy with or experience of being separated from the place they call home. These creations will be judged by a fantastic panel of celebrities, refugees, and journalists with the top 30 entries going on display in The British Library during National Refugee Week (Monday 15 – Sunday 21 June 2026). They will also be featured in a special national online assembly, in the press and elsewhere. The prize ceremony will be at the British Library on Monday 15 June 2026.

Here is a video from last year’s prize giving event at the British Library to inspire your students to take part this year.

Closing Date for this year iS April 15th 2026

Enter the competition here

The competition is open from Wednesday 12 November 2025.

  • Any student aged 7-19 can enter a single submission.
  • Closing date is: Wednesday 15 April 2026 (11.59pm)
  • Judging will take place following the closing date.
  • Artwork should be produced on A4-sized paper, in portrait format, as two-dimensional submissions, in any appropriate media.
  • Poetry should be no longer than 14 lines.
  • Schools, families or community groups should submit a .jpg image of the artwork or a .pdf file of the poem with the student’s name, year group and school/guardian/parent contact details via a link on the Sanctuary Foundation website. (see below). Each submission should not  be larger than 4MB.
  • For reference, here’s a quick summary of the relevant Key Stages in the UK education system:

Key Stage 2: 7–11 years old

Key Stage 3: 12–14 years old

Key Stage 4: 15–16 years old

Key Stage 5: 17–19 years old

  • Schools families or community groups should retain physical copies of artwork and poetry submitted for potential display.
  • Schools, families or community groups will be notified of shortlisted finalists by the middle of May 2026.

Please note:

  • One entry per student is permitted.
  • Each entry should be an original unpublished work.
  • Poetry submissions should be typed, and artwork scanned. This should allow schools to “save as” a .pdf (poetry) or a .jpg (artwork).
  • No changes can be made once entries have been submitted.
  • The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  • All pieces will be judged on how effectively they express or elicit empathy with an aspect of the refugee experience.

Win the opportunity to have your work displayed at the British Library for World Refugee Week.

Open to all students aged 7-19

We are looking for original work that helps people connect emotionally with the refugee experience.

Deadline for submissions: Wednesday 15 April 2026.

Guidelines

  • The competition is open from Wednesday 12 November 2025.
  • Any student aged 7-19 can enter a single submission.
  • Closing date is  Wednesday 15 April 2026 (11.59pm).
  • Judging will take place following the closing date.
  • Artwork should be produced on A4-sized paper, in portrait format, as two-dimensional submissions, in any appropriate media.
  • Poetry should be no longer than 14 lines.
  • Schools, families or community groups should submit a .jpg image of the artwork or a .pdf file of the poem with the student’s name, year group and school/guardian/parent contact details via a link on the Sanctuary Foundation website. (see below). Each submission should not be larger than 4MB.
  • Please retain physical copies of artwork and poetry submitted for potential display.
  • Winners of each category will be revealed on Monday 15 June 2025.

Please note:

  • One entry per student is permitted.
  • Each entry should be an original unpublished work.
  • Poetry submissions should be typed, and artwork scanned. This should allow schools to “save as” a .pdf (poetry) or a .jpg (artwork).
  • No changes can be made once entries have been submitted.
  • The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  • All pieces will be judged on how effectively they express or elicit empathy with an aspect of the refugee experience.

INSPIRATION

I don't want to talk about Home
by Suad Aldarra

What after all is Home?

It is the smell of a traditional home-cooked meal that greets you as you walk through the front door after a long day.

A warm hug from a grandmother who always treats you like a special guest.

Hysterical laughter with an old friend at a favourite coffee shop where they know your usual order.

A loud family gathering you secretly wish to escape to avoid the endless prying questions.

Your native language on the street signs and on the radio.

Familiar faces, and roads you know like the back of your hand.

It is all those little things that can’t be written down or described to those who haven’t been there.

It is the hole inside your soul that can’t be filled by any other place.