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

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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 few months we have had the honour of awarding:

Project Mama and the Maternity Department at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, both now Maternity Services of Sanctuary.

Royal Holloway University, University of Salford, Oxford Brookes University are all Universities of Sanctuary. 

Colchester City Council and Calderdale Council are both Councils of Sanctuary. The Council of Sanctuary award process focuses on improving existing systems and partnerships, making services more accessible and effective for everyone. This is about building a compassionate and inclusive community where no one is left behind. City of Sanctuary UK provides guidance and support throughout, but the leadership and delivery remain firmly in local hands.

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

National Day of Solidarity to End Immigration Detention
On 18 October, join the National Day of Solidarity to End Immigration Detention. Across the UK, communities will come together to stand in solidarity with people harmed by the immigration system and to demand an end to detention. Find out more

TWR Solidarity and Resilience Online Get Together
It has been a difficult and unsettling summer for those seeking sanctuary in the UK and our movement for refugee rights. Join Together With Refugees for a solidarity session on 15 Oct 1-2pm. Sign up here

Weekend of Hope
On 18-19 October, HOPE not Hate is encouraging people to take to the streets with a simple message: our communities are stronger together. Get involved 

Events, resources and opportunities

New training: Digital Engagement that Shifts Narratives
Register your interest for this new Campaign Lab online training designed for people who are already engaged in local organising and want to enhance how they participate on social media to create positive change. Community Facebook groups and similar are where narratives are shaped, challenged, and transformed. In this programme you’ll learn practical methods of digital community organising. Register here

City of Sanctuary regional meet-ups
These meeting are an opportunity for City of Sanctuary groups, partners and awarded organisations to meet, share ideas and build stronger regional ties. North East, Oct 20 4pm | Midlands & East, Oct 21 10am | North West, Oct 22 11am | Yorkshire, Humberside & Greater Lincolnshire, Oct 22 10am | Wales, Oct 23 11am | South of England (excl. London) Oct 23 10am

Migration, Asylum and Childhood Trauma
A one-off webinar looking at migration, asylum and childhood trauma in partnership with the UK Trauma Council, an Anna Freud project. Suitable for education practitioners in schools, nurseries, sixth forms and FE Colleges. Oct 8 4pm - register here

SCAPP Insight Webinar: Universities & Colleges of Sanctuary
We are pleased to be hosted by SCAPP (Scotland’s Community of Access and Participation Practitioners) to offer a practice-sharing session with three educational institutions in Scotland who have been recognised with a Sanctuary Award. Hear from University of Strathclyde, Edinburgh College and Dundee & Angus College about their experience of supporting people seeking sanctuary. Oct 21 3pm - register here

Arts & Libraries Sanctuary Award Info Session
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. Nov 5 11am - register here

Conversational English for Independence
The Sophie Hayes Foundation is accepting referrals for their Conversational English for Independence online course, for women who are survivors of modern slavery. Find out more 

Online Careers Coaching Programme
Free online coaching for adults in London from a forced-migrant background. Career support, skill-building and in-person Career Insight Day. Oct 6 - find out more

A Migrant's Guide 
Created by migrants, for migrants, this interactive physical guide connects people to essential services, offers practical advice, and helps them to take care of themselves before and after securing immigration status. Order yours, contact: [email protected]

• Refugee Week | Freelance Social Media Manager | 10 Oct
• Upbeat Communities | Hosting Manager | 13 Oct
• Breadwinners | Senior Fundraising Manager | 24 Oct
• HIAS+JCORE | Project Coordinator | 13 Oct
• Manchester City Council | North West Regional Strategic Migration Partnership Service Lead | 8 Oct
• Southall Black Sisters | Senior Immigration Solicitor | 31 Oct