City of Sanctuary 
City of Sanctuary is a movement committed to building a culture of hospitality and welcome, especially for refugees seeking sanctuary from war and persecution. Our network of local groups includes boroughs, towns and cities across the UK and Ireland, all committed to building this culture of welcome across every sphere of society. City of Sanctuary operates under local group names which can be found on the groups page. In Ireland City of Sanctuary operates under the name Places of Sanctuary Ireland.
Wherever refugees go, we want them to feel safe and find people who will welcome them.
Sanctuary in Parliament 2017!
City of Sanctuary are working with Asylum Matters and the Parliamentary Manager for the Refugee Council and the AAPG for Refugees to hold the 4th Sanctuary in Parliament event with the theme:
“Dignity not Destitution: Ending poverty and homelessness in the asylum system”…
Latest Network News
Sanctuary in Parliament 2017!
City of Sanctuary are working with Asylum Matters and the Parliamentary Manager for the Refugee Council and the AAPG for…
Posted by: City of SanctuaryHelp us challenge plans that could prevent refugees and people seeking asylum getting healthcare!
Imminent changes are being made to health services in England that will negatively affect refugees, people seeking asylum and other…
Posted by: HealthNew Social Media campaign: Unlocking Detention – 16th October to 22nd December
City of Sanctuary are members of the Detention Forum and encourage all our supporters to promote this year’s tour of…
Posted by: City of SanctuaryCoS founder wins national peace award
City of Sanctuary’s founder and national patron has been awarded this year’s Wilson- Hinkes Peace Prize for his pioneering work in initiating…
Posted by: Sheffield‘Sanctuary Break’ to Corrymeela 8.7.17
By Yvonne Boyle
Posted by: CausewayReflections on Schools of Sanctuary in Bristol
In 2014, St Nicholas of Tolentine RC Primary School was officially recognised as one of our Schools of Sanctuary. The…
Posted by: Bristol“Refugees without Refuge” – new report from the Refugee Council
The Refugee Council report – Refugees without refuge was published in September 2017.
Posted by: City of SanctuaryNew research from Refugee Action: English language provision
New research from Refugee Action: English language provision ‘not fit for purpose’ as refugees wait up to three years to start…
Posted by: City of SanctuaryWorld on our doorstep – “Horsforth Refugee Camp” in Leeds
Posted by: City of SanctuaryHostile Environment: Checks on 70m Bank Accounts in Search for Illegal Immigrants
In a recent article, the Guardian revealed that banks and building societies will be carrying out immigration checks on 70m current…
Posted by: City of Sanctuary“Cracks in the Irish deterrent asylum system”
Asylum campaigner, John Grayson has written an insightful article on the Direct Provision (DP) system for asylum seekers in Ireland. The DP…
Posted by: City of SanctuaryWidden Primary School becomes Gloucester’s First School of Sanctuary
A primary school in Gloucester has become the first in the city to receive a special status for developing a…
Posted by: City of SanctuaryPortsmouth explores how to become a City of Sanctuary
A new City of Sanctuary group in Portsmouth, led by British Red Cross and inspired by Journeys Festival International arrival…
Posted by: City of SanctuarySeminar in Belfast
Belfast City of Sanctuary held a very successful seminar on 28th September to determine the focus and ambit of the…
Posted by: BelfastIreland’s Inaugural University of Sanctuary Asylum Narratives Colloquium
Stepping proudly into its role as Ireland’s first University of Sanctuary, Dublin City University has hosted its first colloquium, hailed…
Posted by: DublinKey groups pull together to promote Right to Work for asylum seekers in Ireland
21/09/17
Posted by: DublinSwindon SCoS – ‘We’re Open’ project receives funding!
Our weekly ‘We’re Open’ event has received a £2,225 grant from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, administered by the Wiltshire Community Foundation!
Posted by: SwindonSINGING FOR SANCTUARY
Howth Gospel Choir in North Dublin opened up the whole concept of choirs of sanctuary in Ireland on World Peace Day…
Posted by: Dublin£5K grant from Ipswich Borough Council
Ipswich Town of Sanctuary has received a grant from Ipswich Borough Council for just under £5K to continue to offer…
Posted by: IpswichChanges to Red Cross Destitution Clinic
We are reposting this information from Amy Dutton, the British Red Cross Destitution Clinic Worker.
Posted by: SwanseaJeremy Corbyn visits the First Sports Club of Sanctuary
Brighton Table Tennis Club, the first Sports Club of Sanctuary – awarded by Sanctuary on Sea for its excellent welcome…
Posted by: City of SanctuaryPortlaoise Honorary Place of Sanctuary
Friday 22nd September was Culture Night all over Ireland – an evening when hundreds of thousands have a chance to…
Posted by: PortlaoisePORTLAOISE CELEBRATES SANCTUARY ON CULTURE NIGHT
Father Paddy receives the award on behalf of the Parish Centre
Posted by: PortlaoiseStories of Welcome – Lichfield Diocese
The Anglican Diocese of Lichfield offer you 13 stories illustrating some of the many ways in which members of churches…
Posted by: Wolverhampton“TANJA” – is back on the road with “Spaces of Sanctuary” Exhibition
Sanctuary in Arts awarded Stand and Be Counted (SBC) Theatre Company has secured funding from ACE for some work alongside…
Posted by: ArtsSwindon Borough Council supporting Swindon CoS hosting scheme
Swindon CoS has recently launched its hosting scheme ‘Room for All’, so far matching 4 destitute refugees with local hosts.
Posted by: SwindonSwindon CoS Hosts South West Regional City of Sanctuary Conference!
On the 7th of September, we welcomed 40 delegates from 14 City of Sanctuary groups across the South West of England and Wales, to learn, be encouraged and inspire each other to make our cities more welcoming environments for those seeking refuge.
Posted by: Swindon21/09/2017: Asylum Seekers Rights to Work in Ireland
Download [1.27 MB]
Posted by: DublinSeptember 2017 Newsletter
Download [1.69 MB]
Posted by: Doncaster‘Start a Conversation’ Pack for Jo Cox Loneliness Commission: Spotlight on Refugees & Asylum-Seekers
The Jo Cox Loneliness Commission’s spotlight month on refugees and asylum seekers is taking place in October, and will aim…
Posted by: City of SanctuaryMedical Information Consent Forms sent to Asylum-Seekers
The Home Office have recently started contacting asylum seekers and asking them to sign a consent form that would give…
Posted by: HealthSwindon host a successful Southwest and Wales CoS Regional Conference
Forty delegates from 14 cities and towns of sanctuary groups from the South West of England and Wales came together…
Posted by: City of Sanctuary