City of Sanctuary UK holds the vision that our nations will be welcoming places of safety for all and proud to offer sanctuary to people fleeing violence and persecution. In order to realise this vision, City of Sanctuary UK supports a network of groups, which includes villages, towns, cities and regions across the UK, and others engaged in Streams of Sanctuary, Sanctuary Awards and activities intended to welcome people seeking sanctuary.
For more information see our Charter.
Whilst we are a movement in our own right we also contribute towards wider movement building through partnership work and supporting advocacy and campaigning initiatives.
We work closely with our partner organisation Places of Sanctuary Ireland.
Wherever refugees go, we want them to feel safe and find people who will welcome them.
Latest Network News
Scottish Universities of Sanctuary Get-Together at Strathclyde
The Widening Access team at the University of Strathclyde, recent winners of the Diversity through Education Award at the Herald…
Campaigners raise concerns on Home Office Immigration Surgeries in Religious & Community Organisations
Refugee and migrant supporters are concerned with emerged reports that the Home Office working with religious and community organisations to embed immigration enforcement teams in their services (see here and here). The Guardian reports that those who take part in these ‘immigration surgeries’ are assured the sessions are not offered as part of “an enforcement approach” to immigration cases and told that taking part may help them regularise their status. The Home Office response notes, “Fingerprints are not taken at immigration surgeries. No personal information of…
‘Failing’ new Home Office contract left many asylum seekers destitute and more vulnerable
City of Sanctuary has joined over 100 local and national organisations across the country to raise concerns and the need…
Classical pianist Margaret Fingerhut raises over £75,000 for City of Sanctuary!
Internationally renowned classical pianist Margaret Fingerhut has raised over £75,000 for refugees in a series of 32 piano recitals across…
Migrants Organise Launch ‘Promote the Migrant Vote’ Campaign
In advance of the General Election on 12 December, Migrants Organise have launched their Promote The Migrant Vote campaign to support migrants…
South-East Gathering 2019
The South-East City of Sanctuary gathering was generously hosted this year by Hastings Community of Sanctuary who welcomed more than…
Jane’s Leaving Manchester City of Sanctuary
Hi fellow welcomers, It’s with mixed feelings of gladness -at good friends made- and sadness -at letting go of the amazing organisation I’ve been with & learnt from over the past 4yrs- that I am moving on from Manchester City of Sanctuary today. It’s been a rollercoaster ride of refusals and appeals, fresh claims and Leave to Remain granted during which we have been creative and resistant, challenging the hostile environment with friendship and fun, welcome and kindness. I’d like to credit…
Can you support Maternity Action Judicial Review through the CrowdJustice campaign?
Last month, Maternity Action began a judicial review of the policy of charging vulnerable migrant women for NHS maternity care. …
We are recruiting a new Trustee with a secretarial role!
City of Sanctuary are seeking a new trustee to join the Board of Trustees in a secretarial role. Ideally the…
In Three Words – Unlocking Detention
As part of this year’s Unlocking Detention, City of Sanctuary network supporters are invited to to take part in In…
Arts Resource Pack
The arts play a vital role in creating a culture of welcome, challenging the status quo and shaping the kind…
New Recipe Book: ‘Tastes & Tales from a Distant Homeland’
Check out this outstanding new recipe book, ‘Tastes & Tales from a Distant Homeland’. It’s written by Katherine and Alan Strang, and designed by our very own Holly Munro! It includes over 80 heartwarming stories and recipes inspired by displaced people across Europe. It’s only £20 to buy. All proceeds after cost of printing go to Refugee Support Europe to help with their continuing work to deliver #aidwithdignity.
North West Regional Gathering
The North West Regional Gathering was generously hosted this year by Lancashire Football Association at their County Ground & Sports…
Theatre Royal Wakefield honoured with Theatre of Sanctuary Award
Theatre Royal Wakefield honoured with Theatre of Sanctuary Award “It is the first time that I have experienced live theatre…
Volunteer Opportunities with the Lincolnshire Refugee Doctor Project!
Are you compassionate, caring and committed to supporting refugees back into meaningful employment? Do you want to do your bit to help boost the medical workforce in the region? Our friends at the Lincolnshire Refugee Doctor Project (LRDP) are seeking social mentors to work alongside their doctors and their families. Social mentors will play a crucial role in supporting success on the programme and facilitating a sense of belonging within the local community. If you are interested, further information and an expression…
Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary impress international delegates in Athens
Schools of Sanctuary teachers and CoS National Development Officer with some of the Greek delegates Four intrepid…
Lessons Not Learned: How asylum decision-making in the UK has repeatedly failed
The Home Office needs an urgent complete overhaul of its systems to avoid another imminent major immigration scandal, according to a report about its approach to processing immigration applications. The joint new report by Freedom from Torture along with Refugee Council, Refugee Action, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI), UK Lesbian & Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG), the Jesuit Refugee Service UK, Helen Bamber Foundation, and Survivors Speak OUT, exposed historical and systemic failures of asylum decision-making in the UK. The…
East Sussex County Council Support Lift The Ban Campaign
By Alex Kempton, Media and Communications Lead for Hastings Community of Sanctuary At a meeting of the full Council on Tuesday…