A monthly update of news, events, opportunities, campaigns and jobs from the City of Sanctuary networks.

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Nearly a year ago, hateful words inspired hateful actions when riots and racist attacks broke out on our streets. We need leadership which stamps out systemic racism, tackles the real issues facing us all, and inspires belief in a better world. Until then, it's up to all of us to build a UK that truly welcomes everyone. Follow our three Summer of Solidarity steps to build connection and resilience in your community

Sanctuary Awards

Our Sanctuary Awards programme recognises and celebrates the organisations and institutions who go above and beyond to foster welcome, compassion and opportunity. In the last month we have had the honour of awarding:

Schools of Sanctuary: Bishopston Primary School; Blaenymaes Primary School; Plasmarl Primary School; Pentrehafod Comprehensive; Waun Wen Primary School; Brynmill Primary School; Hafod Primary School; Terrace Road Primary School; St Michael's Catholic Primary School, Liverpool; Oasis Academy Aspinal, Manchester; Ebbw Fawr Learning Community Secondary Phase, Blaenau Gwent; Crickhowell Community Primary School, Powys; St Dunstan's Primary School, Birmingham; St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Birmingham; Hendon School, Barnet; Riverside College, Widnes; Edinburgh College, Edinburgh; Slough and Langley College, Slough; John Perryn Primary School, Ealing; Fearnhill School, Letchworth; Ysgol Bryn Gwalia, Flintshire; Usk Church in Wales Primary School, Monmouthshire; Hitherfield Primary School, Lambeth; St Wulstan's and St Edmund's Catholic Academy; St Teresa's Catholic Primary; St Mary's Catholic Primary School; St Kentigern's Catholic Primary School; St Cuthbert's Primary School; St Mary's Catholic Academy; Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School; Holy Family Catholic Primary School; Christ the King Catholic Primary School, Lancashire; Mount Street Primary School, Plymouth; Surrey Square Primary School, Southwar; Brecon High School, Brecon; Bishop Young Academy, Leeds; Bevois Town, Southampton; Wyndcliffe Primary School, Birmingham; Bordesley Village Primary School, Birmingham; Christ Church CE Primary School, Birmingham

Further Education Colleges of Sanctuary: Edinburgh College, and Lancaster and Morecambe College

Universities of Sanctuary: Queens University Belfast, and University of Strathclyde

Theatres of Sanctuary: Hull Truck Theatre, Hull; and Theatre Porto, Cheshire

The UK's first and only Band of Sanctuary: Hind and the Jafa Cakes, Halifax

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

Act now: Protect refugees’ path to citizenship

The Government has changed the rules in a way that would make it almost impossible for many refugees to ever become UK citizens, simply because of how they arrived in the UK. This punishes people for how they entered the country in search of safety and undermines the ability of our neighbours, colleagues, friends to feel secure in their future here.

Right now, Parliament is debating new immigration and asylum legislation. With the Bill being debated in the House of Lords this week and due back in the Commons soon, we have a crucial opportunity to act and to urge MPs to reverse this change. Write to your MP now

Events, resources and opportunities

City of Sanctuary Strategy Consultation
We have undertaken a review of our previous strategy and have held several strategy development sessions with staff, trustees, lived experience advisory group and sanctuary ambassadors. We would now love to get feedback from as many individuals and organisations as possible given the breadth of our networks. We want to hear what you feel we do well, what we could do better, where our priorities should be and what we might do differently in the future. This survey should take no more than 10 minutes. Thank you for your time and support!

Welcome to City of Sanctuary: An Intro
Do you want to understand what we do? Are you part of a local refugee support group and considering joining our network? Are you a school, theatre, university, garden or community organisation keen to learn more about how to make your work more welcoming to people seeking sanctuary?

In this online session on 2 July, we will give an overview of our values, aims and how we work with community organisations across all four UK nations to build welcome. Sign up now

City of Sanctuary Regional Online Meet-Ups
Join for information sharing and networking/support opportunities in your local area. These are designed for City of Sanctuary groups and partner organisations, and Sanctuary awarded organisations and those interested in pursuing a Sanctuary award. North West regional meeting on 11 July, Wales on 15 July, South of England on 21 July, North East on 22 July, Yorkshire, Humberside & Greater Lincolnshire on 23 July, Midlands and East on 24 July. 

Refugee Employment
Join us on 16 July for a session on Refugee Employment, where we’ll explore practical approaches, challenges, and lessons learned from real-world projects. 

Sanctuary in Arts Award Session
Join us on 16 July for a quick fire session to learn about the award process and for us to answer any questions. This is geared towards groups, arts institutions and libraries that are looking to either assess or apply for an award.

Award Re-assessment Info Session
Join us on 16 July to learn about the re-assessment process and for us to answer any questions. This is geared towards groups, arts orgs, or libraries that are looking to either re assess or re apply for an award.

• NACCOM | External Affairs Manager | 8 July 
• STAR | General Trustees and Co-Chair of Trustees | 11 July 
• West London Welcome | Caseworker | 1 July 
• FLEX | Policy and Networks Officer | 20 July 
• MSF UK| Caseworker | 2 July 
• Housing Justice | Sanctuary Manager | 13 July
• AB Charitable Trust | Grants Manager | 4 July 
• Asylum Matters | Yorkshire and Humber Campaigns Manager | 30 June