Dear ,

80% of the British public want a well managed, fair and compassionate asylum system. The louder our voice becomes, the harder it will be for the next government to ignore.

Now we're just days away from the General Election, we need to send a message to the new government that we the people reject the hostility and division that has become commonplace. It’s time for something better. 

Please spread the word by forwarding this email to five friends. To get daily updates, follow our X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.

Our Sanctuary Awards programme recognises and celebrates the organisations and institutions who go above and beyond to foster welcome, compassion and empowering opportunities. This month we have had the honour of awarding...

The Open University and University of Central Lancashire who are both now Universities of Sanctuary.

Birghton and Hove Libraries and Westmoreland and Fureness Library Services are now a Library Service of Sanctuary.

Surrey and Sussex Healthcare Trust, Shifa Mental Health Clinic in Norwich and St Barnabas Counselling Centre are all either Maternity or Health Services of Sanctuary.

Apex Portsmouth Art Gallery, Manchester Art Gallery, Montgomery Theatre, and Octagon Theatre are newly awarded or reaccredited Arts Organisations of Sanctuary.

Organic lea Garden and AMC Gardens are now Gardens of Sanctuary.

City of Liverpool College, Stockton and Riverside College, Redcar and Cleveland College are all FE Colleges of Sanctuary.

St Peter Mancroft Church and Norwich Cathedral are now awarded Faith Places of Sanctuary.

The following are all either newly awarded or reaccredited Schools of Sanctuary: Barton Moss Community Primary School; Westwood Park Primary School; Holy Family VA Catholic Primary School; The Deans Primary; St Andrew’s CE Primary School; St Paul’s CE Primary; Ravenscroft Nursery School, Belfast; Taughmonagh Primary School, Belfast; Rosetta Primary School, Belfast; Holy Rosary Nursery School, Belfast; St Anne's Primary School, Derry/Londonderry; Chapel Road Primary School, Derry/Londonderry; Oakgrove Integrated Primary School, Derry/Londonderry; St Joseph's Primary School (reaccredited); St Cuthbert and the First Martyrs' Primary School (reaccredited); Lapage Primary and Nursery School (reaccredited); Lilycroft Primary School (reaccredited); Eastwood Community Primary School; Atlas Community Primary School; Kensington Primary School, Newham; Holton Primary School, Vale of Glamorgan; Green Fold Special School; Harper Green Secondary School; Gregory’s Primary (reaccredited); St. Michael’s Primary (reaccredited); St Claudine's Catholic School for Girls, Brent; St Illtyds Primary School; Parkland Primary School; Sketty Primary School; Ysgol Gyfun Gwyr; Sunnyhill Primary School, Lambeth; The Norwood School, Lambeth; Julian's Primary School, Lambeth; St Margaret's CofE Primary School, Barking; Cotham Secondary School; Montpelier High School; Holy Cross Catholic Primary; Evergreen Primary; St Nicholas of Tolentine (reaccredited); St Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, Birmingham.

And last but certainly not least, Wandsworth Council have achieved the Local Authority of Sanctuary award - a truly phenomenal achievement.

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.

General Election resources
We have designed a range of resources supporting you to speak up for sanctuary in the run up to the Generl Election - find them here.

Asylum Matters has created General Election resources designed to support local groups in engaging with their prospective parliamentary candidates and calling on them to repeal the #AntiRefugeeLaws.

Six steps towards migrant justice
The rights of people who move are under attack. Our media and our politicians want to make us forget one simple truth: that people move. We always have and always will. And we should be welcomed and supported when we do. Read the six steps here.

Post-Election resources
In readiness for lots of new MPs being elected next week, we have prepared some template letters for 1) City of Sanctuary groups 2) volunteers 3) people working at Sanctuary Awarded orgs/institutions.

Co-production: what is it and how to do it
Join us on 10 July for this workshop designed to support City of Sanctuary groups, partners and awarded organisations to involve people with lived experience in every aspect of their work. Facilitated by City of Sanctuary UK co-chair and Refugee Council’s Head of Refugee Involvement, Yusuf Çiftçi. Regsiter here.

Lunchtime meet up
Join us on July 15 at 12:30 for an informal lunchtime meet-up. Meet and chat with members from the City of Sanctuary network: ask qustions, get advice, ask for feedback and connect with others. It is likely the focus will be the post-election period. Feel free to suggest ideas for topics to discuss. Bring your lunch and a cuppa! Register here.

North West Regional meeting
Join us on 8 July for an opportunity for City of Sanctuary groups and awarded organisations across the North West to meet, share ideas and build stronger regional ties - particularly in light of the new government. Register here.

Arts and Libraries Awards Info Session
Join us on 17 July for quick fire session to learn about the award process. This is geared towards groups, arts institutions and libraries that are looking to either assess or apply for an award. Register here.

Yorkshire, Humberside & Lincolnshire Regional Meeting
Join us on July 23 for an opportunity for groups across the region to meet, share ideas and build stronger regional ties. Register here.

South West Regional Meeting
Join us on 25 July for an opportunity for groups across the region to meet, share ideas and build stronger regional ties. Register here.

Midlands and East Regional Meeting
Join us on 25 July for opportunity for groups across the region to meet, share ideas and build stronger regional ties. Register here.

Launch: New Further Education College of Sanctuary Package of Support
This academic year we have been delighted by the level of interest in the FE College of Sanctuary programme and award scheme. To better support applicants, we have developed a more comprehensive and clarified support package for applicant colleges. Find out more here.

Mental Health Crisis Unfolds at RAF Wethersfield
Doctors of the World and Médecins Sans Frontières are issuing an urgent call to the UK government to close mass asylum camp, due to severe mental health crises among people accommodated at the site. Read the report here.

Tales from the Hostile Environment
Members of Ice&Fire's Actors for Human Rights network are mobilising across England and will present staged readings of this script in several locations during the week before election day. Find out more here.

• City of Sanctuary Sheffield | Volunteer Coordinator | July 21
• Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network | Campaigns and Communications Officer | June 30
• KRAN | Media Ambassador | July 5
• Hope not hate | Community Outreach Officer | June 30
• Scottish Refugee Council | Board members | ongoing
• Xenia | Fundraising and Development Organiser | August 6
• Migrants Organise | Access to Healthcare Organiser | July 14
• Leeds Asylum Seekers Support Network | Community Fundraising and Communications Coordinator | July 15
• Refugee Action | Senior Digital Communications Officer | July 15