From Birmingham to Brighton, Swansea to Settle, the message is loud and clear: refugees are welcome here.

A huge well done to everyone who got stuck in with the Together With Refugees week of action. The country has been awash with orange hearts – the global symbol of support for people seeking sanctuary. Our small team attended the London rally and it was excellent to see so many familiar faces. We are incredibly proud of the engagement from across the City of Sanctuary networks - there's not enough space to celebrate all the activities, but it's evident that this community of welcome has never been stronger.

Please share this newsletter round-up with your friends, supporters and networks.

The Week of Action may be over but the campaign against the cruel new Borders Bill continues.

Asylum Matters has developed a new resource so you can ask your local council to pass a motion opposing the Borders Bill. They’ve produced a template motion for you to use, which is available here.

In addition:

• Work with organisations in your area on your own pledge against the Bill, along the lines of the pledge convened by civil society groups in the North East. A template pledge is available here.
  
• Use Asylum Matters' resources to write to your MP if you haven’t already.
  
• Sign and share the Refugee Action petition calling on the Government to scrap the bill.
  

How to support Afghan Students in Schools

Join us for this unmissable webinar on 3 November on how to help schools meet the needs of Afghan students from sanctuary-seeking backgrounds. Register here. For those who cannot attend, a recording of the event will be put on our website.

University of Sanctuary Conference 2021

Held on 15-26th Nov, this year's conference will host workshops focusing on good practice in providing sanctuary scholarships, the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA) scheme, how to negotiate compliance in a hostile environment, university-community partnerships and how to break down barriers faced by sanctuary students when moving into, through and beyond higher education. Find out more and sign up here.

Unequal by Law

Excellent short video from Detention Forum on detention and deportations. Narrated by former CoS UK chair Jonathan Ellis, it explains the injustices, racism and double punishment enshrined in immigration law. Please watch and share to educate wider networks. We must change the negative narratives.

Wellbeing & Mental Health Series

Four sessions in November focusing on wellbeing, run by our partner TimePeace. The sessions are open to all - please share widely.

Yorkshire and Humberside Health Stream of Sanctuary online day of events

Two sessions on 24th Nov: Improving access to NHS services and improving mental health for people seeking sanctuary. Sign up here.

Libraries of Sanctuary Webinar

Organised by Libraries Connected, this webinar will introduce the Libraries of Sanctuary resource pack and explore good practice from libraries who have achieved Libraries of Sanctuary recognition. Event held on 17th November. Please share with your local library. 

Swansea City of Sanctuary film

Celebrating 10 years of Swansea City of Sanctuary, this documentary seeks to shed light on what it means to seek asylum and settle in Swansea. Watch here and read the review here. Please do share widely.

Libraries of Sanctuary Case Study

This excellent case study shared by the Local Government Association explains how and why Southampton City Libraries became a Library of Sanctuary. Please do share with your local library and local authority.

We welcome your examples of good practice in whatever sector you work in - please share then with [email protected]

Job opportunities

• City of Sanctuary UK are recruiting for a Web and Database Officer. Apply by 15th Nov
  
• Status Now are recruiting for a Network Development Coordinator. Apply by 19th Nov
  
• Scottish Refugee Council are recruiting for an Evaluation and Monitoring Officer & 3 caseworkers. Apply by 2nd Nov
  
• Amina Muslim Women Resource Centre are recruiting for Employability Project Officer (Apply by 2nd Nov) & Financial Inclusion Advocacy Officer. Apply by 11th Nov
  
• Mental Health Foundation are recruiting for a Research Assistant to support their Wellbeing for those seeking sanctuary in Wales Project. Apply by 8th Nov
  
• The Race Equality Foundation are recruiting for voluntary roles of Chair of Trustees, Comms Volunteer & Fundraising Volunteer. Apply by 12th Nov
  
• Swindon City of Sanctuary are seeking trustees from all sectors of the community including people with experience of seeking.
  
• JCWI are seeking seeking trustees, either members of JCWI, or representatives of an organisation which is a member of JCWI.