Speak Up For Sanctuary: new programme
Join us on 25 September at 6pm for this programme designed to support people who may have little or no previous campaigning experience to recognise their power in making change, to speak up for refugee rights and to supercharge efforts to build welcoming and compassionate communities. The course is perfect for people involved in City of Sanctuary groups and awarded organisations or anyone else hoping to turn their compassion into action. Register your free place here.
Libraries of Sanctuary Award Info Session
Join us on 6 September at 11am for a quick fire session to learn about the award process and for us to answer any questions. This is geared towards groups or Libraries that are looking to either assess or apply for an award. Click here to sign up.
Sanctuary and the Arts Awards Info Session
Join us on 6 September at 10am 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. Click here to sign up.
Welcome to City of Sanctuary: An Introduction
Join us on 12 September at 12pm for an introduction to our work. New to City of Sanctuary or just plain curious? In this session, we will provide an overview of the background and growth of the City of Sanctuary movement across the UK, share our values and aims and how we work with community organisations across all four UK nations to support new arrivals. Click here to sign up.
Schools of Sanctuary: 2023/24 Launch
Join us on 26 September at 4pm for the first Schools of Sanctuary event of the school year to learn more about the Schools of Sanctuary programme and award scheme. Click here to register.
Town and Parish Councils of Sanctuary
We look forward to welcoming our Town and Parish Councils, as well as groups working with them to our 2nd session on the 11th Sept at 12:00-1:00pm aimed at local councils pursuing the ‘Council of Sanctuary’ Award. It is a space where clerks and Councillors can share about ongoing strategies and related activities. Click here to register.
North East England Regional Meeting
This meeting on September 11 at 12:00 is an opportunity for City of Sanctuary groups across the North East region to meet, share ideas and build stronger regional ties. Register here.
Local Authority Thematic Network Meeting: Illegal Migration Act 2023
On Sep 19 at 12:00 we look forward to welcoming our network of Local Authorities and their partners to discuss the impact of the Illegal Migration Act, and to look at what we could be doing to mitigate against the harm on our residents of sanctuary seeking background. Register here.
Wales Network Meeting
Held on 19 Sep at 13:30, this meeting is an opportunity for City of Sanctuary groups across Wales to meet, share ideas and build stronger regional ties. Register here.
Free Mental Health Training
In partnership with City of Sanctuary, the Mental Health Foundation are offering 6 sessions of tips and support aimed at people supporting people seeking sanctuary in Wales, either in a paid or voluntary capacity. The sessions will cover topics such as top tips on Mental Health, the power of peer support, trauma informed relationships and how to prioritise sanctuary for yourself. Sessions will run on Mondays, starting Monday 11th Sep. Click here to apply.
Indivisible Justice: Migration and Climate Justice
If you missed the excellent Climate Justice panel discussion with War on Want, JCWI, Migrants Organise, and the Climate Justice Coalition, you can watch a recording of the event here.
Afghan Refugees, what happened to the warm welcome?
What happened to the Warm Welcome? is a new report from the Refugee Council that assesses the UK Government’s support for Afghan refugees since the fall of Kabul in August 2021. It finds that the Government has failed to fulfill its promises under ‘Operation Warm Welcome’ to provide housing and integration support to Afghans evacuated to the UK. Read it here.
Future Leaders Programme
The Future Leaders Programme is a leadership course specifically for refugees and asylum seekers aged between 18 and 27. Find out more and apply here.
Refused? Experiences following a negative asylum decision
New NACCOM report reveals trauma and hardship faced by people who receive a negative asylum decision. Read it here.
Free farm visits for groups supporting sanctuary seeking children and families
The Country Trust is paying for groups supporting sanctuary seeking children and their families to visit farms, click here to see if you are elligible.
Theatre Company of Sanctuary new show: Penguin
Curious Monkey, a Theatre Company of Sanctuary are producing a new show written and performed by Hamzeh Al Hussein, an exciting young Syrian disabled artist who will be sharing his extraordinary story in this show. Click here to see the a list of theatres and show dates. Note: they have box office codes in each of the venues for an allocation of free tickets for sanctuary seekers, so please do get in touch with Allegra ([email protected]) if you would like to bring a group along and get the code of a specific theatre near you.
A Cost-Effective and Humane Alternative to Detention
A two-year pilot ran by King’s Arms Project demonstrates a cost-effective and more humane alternative to detention centres. Read the full report here. | 
