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Dear friends,

Right now our MPs are debating the new Refugee Ban Bill. This new law sets out changes to the asylum system, the starkest and most significant change is that anyone arriving by small boat will not be able to claim asylum. This is essentially a ban on the human right to seek asylum.

This government wants us to think there is no alternative to hostility – but there is. It’s on us to build a welcoming UK. So let’s get started

Read on for ways to take action against the cruel Refugee Ban Bill and to be inspired by communities going above and beyond to show welcome.

Please help spread the word, share this newsletter round-up with your friends, supporters and networks.

To get daily updates, follow our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

Take action against the new Refugee Ban Bill. We need a system based on compassion and fairness – one that sees people seeking safety as human beings. Click here for four ways that you can step up.

Celebrating Sanctuary in London. In March we were joined in London by City of Sanctuary groups, partners and awarded organisations to celebrate all that our networks have achieved in the capital. Read about it here.

The UK’s first women’s Football Club of Sanctuary. Holbeck Moor FC women’s team in Leeds have just been awarded with the Football Club of Sanctuary award. Read about this incredible achievement here.

The town fighting the far-right with Welsh cakes. Read about how this small Welsh town is standing against the far-right after the council announced that they would be opening temporary houses for refugees. Inspiring stuff.

Last year saw growth in our networks like never before - but now our longer term future hangs in the balance. Two of our major funding grants will come to an end next year. That's the majority of our core funding. We need you to stand with us at this critical moment. If you can, please become a regular monthly donor. Your support will help us weather this storm and plan for the future.

If you have any ideas or want to support us further during these difficult times, please reach out to our Chief Officer on [email protected]

A huge congratulations to Salford Council, our newest Local Authority of Sanctuary! We are also delighted to welcome Swansea Council who have formally joined our Local Authority network - the first Welsh Council to do so.

A very warm welcome to Aylsham High School, Woodton Primary School, Ellingham V C Primary School, St Jude's Catholic Primary School, Willows High School, Amigos Multicultural PreSchool, Toybox Nursery, Skylarks Nursery and Early Explorers who are all now Schools of Sanctuary, and to St Vincent's Catholic Primary School who have been re-accredited. We have now gone over 400 awarded Schools of Sanctuary which is a real milestone in our schools work!

We are delighted to recognise Oxfam Tooting as a Shop of Sanctuary, Rank and File as a Theatre Group of Sanctuary and Holbeck Moor FC - the UK's first women's Football Club of Sanctuary.

Huge congratulations also to the first Methodist churches in Britain to achieve Church of Sanctuary status. All five Methodist churches from the Brighton and Hove Methodist Circuit have just received the Church of Sanctuary award; Dorset Gardens, Patcham, Stanford Avenue, Woodingdean and Hove.

Each one of these awards is assessed by a panel which includes as a minimum, a local member of City of Sanctuary, someone with lived experience of seeking sanctuary and an expert in the field. An award lasts three years when it then must then be re-assesed. Find out more about the awards process here.
Campaigns, actions and notable dates
 

The Refugee Ban Bill
Take action against the new Refugee Ban Bill. We need a system based on compassion and fairness – one that sees people seeking safety as human beings. Click here for four ways that you can step up.

Tell this government: We oppose the Refugee Ban Bill. Add your name to Freedom From Torture's petition.

Template letter. Use Refugee Action's template letter to write to your MP stating your opposition to the bill.

Stand against the threat to refugee children's rights. Our Schools of Sanctuary programmes lead has put together this list of actions you can do as a school or individual to stand up for refugee children's rights.

Hostile Words Lead to Hostile Actions
We are encouraging City of Sanctuary groups, awarded organisations and individuals involved in this movement of welcome to write to your MP reminding them that hostile words lead to hostile actions. Find a template letter here.

Lift the Ban
The Lift the Ban coalition has launched a new campaign, The Highstreet Challenge. This is all about getting businesses onboard to win the right to work. If we can build mass support with local businesses, it’s more likely that the Government will listen to common sense and overturn the ban. Find out more and get involved here.

Notable upcoming dates:
April 1 - April Fools Day
April 5 - Passover
April 7 - Good Friday
April 7 - World Mental Health Day
April 8 - International Romani Day
April  9 - Easter Sunday
April 13 - Passover
April 17 - International Day against Homophobia 
April 20 - 21 - Eid al-Fitr
April 22 - Earth Day

If any City of Sanctuary groups have any plans for these events, please let our Communications Manager Hannah know on [email protected]
Events, resources and opportunities
 

TRAINING LAUNCH: Welcoming Refugees at Further Education Colleges
We are delighted to be working with Refugee Education UK to deliver practitioner training to promote educational access and outcomes for young refugees. This unique training package is tailored to meet the needs of Further Education Colleges. Find out more here.

Lunchtime Meet-Up for City of Sanctuary Networks
Join us on April 25 at 12:30 for an informal online lunchtime chat. This is a space for people across the networks to come together and connect. No agenda set just bring your updates, ideas and questions. Register here.

Sanctuary and the Arts Awards Information Session
Join us on April 12 at 10:00 for a quick fire session to learn about the award process and for us to answer any questions. This is geared towards groups or arts institutions that are looking to either assess or apply for an award. Register here.

Libraries of Sanctuary Award Information Session
Join us on April 12 at 11:00 for a quick fire session to learn about the award process and for us to answer any questions. This is geared towards groups or arts institutions that are looking to either assess or apply for an award. Register here.

Schools of Sanctuary: Refugee Week Launch
Join us on 25 April at 16:00 for a FREE hour-long online event, we will be sharing the latest resources, opportunities and suggested activities for this year’s Refugee Week in June. Register here.

London Regional Meeting
Join us on 25 April at 16:00 for a catch-up for all London groups and organisations either awarded or working towards the award. Register here.

Yorkshire and Humberside Children and Families Wellbeing Project
Solace are offering rree specialist child and family therapy to refugee children and families who arrived as part of the UK Global Resettlement programmes. This includes individual, family and group work. Find out more here.

See Us, Believe Us, Stand With Us: The experiences of lesbian and bisexual women seeking asylum in the UK
Women for Refugee Women have published a report that shows that lesbian and bisexual women who have sought asylum in the UK are subject to further struggle, fear and intimidation within the asylum process. Read it here.

Free ESOL Teacher Training Course for London Based Individuals
Twin Group, sponsored by the Mayor of London Government UK, is offering free ESOL teacher training for volunteers, staff members, unemployed, retired, self-employed, graduates or anyone looking to upskill and who meet their criteria. Find out more here.

New Diaspora Funding Opportunity
The British Red Cross are offering small to medium-size grants to diaspora focused organisations for their humanitarian and/or social work either in the UK or in response to crises abroad. Find out more here.

Call for Evidence: Illegal Immigration Bill
The Joint Committee on Human Rights is asking for evidence from interested groups and individuals on various aspects of this new bill. Submission by April 6. Find out more here.

Guide to Ramadan
Muslim Council of Britain have launched a guide to Ramadan that may be useful for any organisations or institutions who are looking to build awareness. Read it here.

York City of Sanctuary warns about flaws in Homes for Ukraine scheme
Rebecca, York City of Sanctuary lead, speaks to the Independent about the grassroots response as to the Homes for Ukraine scheme to mark its one year anniversary. Read it here.

Resources to support refugees to settle and integrate with the local community
There’s a new set of FREE, practical and creative resources on the Migration Yorkshire website for people who work with and support refugees to settle and integrate with the local community. See them here.

University of St Andrews Sanctuary Lecture
As a University of Sanctuary, they are committed to making Higher Education accessible for those seeking sanctuary and to helping to foster a culture of welcome throughout the UK. Their Annual Sanctuary Lecture on April 5th at 6pm is an opportunity to hear from experts. This year's lecture will be given by Roza Salih. Register your place here.

Report: Hostile Accommodation
Refugee Action’s new report reveals that the government is running a system of de-facto detention and segregation of people in the current asylum accommodation system. Read it here.

Job opportunities
 

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