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Sanctuary in Politics – How YOU can get involved

Sanctuary in Politics – How YOU can get involved

In November 2023, we are holding an exciting Sanctuary in Politics Course for people who have sought sanctuary (as refugees or asylum-seekers) in Wales. We are holding the course in London in January 2024. The training is completely FREE and will include online sessions, in person sessions, independent learning and an individual project where participants put into practice what they have learnt. We’re now looking for people to help facilitate workshops, mentor participants and help spread the word about the course – can you help us?

What is the Sanctuary in Politics Course? 

Sanctuary in Politics is an innovative interactive training course that supports people seeking sanctuary to develop their skills, raise their voice, speak in public and engage with politicians. The training covers:

  • Public speaking, confidence, and storytelling skills;
  • An introduction to the UK political system and ways of political engagement;
  • Campaigning and advocacy techniques;
  • Working with the media to promote stories of Sanctuary.

After having completed the training sessions, participants will be expected to complete a final assignment to demonstrate their learning. Final assignments typically revolve around an individual project that relates to either public speaking on issues relating to seeking sanctuary in the UK or taking action to support people seeking sanctuary in the UK. The nature and result of these projects are reported to the course organisers in a report before the final graduation ceremony.

How can you get involved? 

We are looking for three different things in regard to the course:

  • Facilitators: We are looking for someone or a few people that could facilitate a 1-to-2-hour session with participants on storytelling and media relations. We are happy to discuss in more detail what this session could look like and how it could be facilitated.
  • Mentors: As part of the programme from January 30 to March 19, participants will be working on a project, applying what they have learned, and we will link them up with a mentor to advise on their project this is a commitment to meet with the person once every 2 weeks and help them with their ideas. We will have an info session about mentoring in September and will pass more details on for that in August.
  • Support in Recruiting: In November we will start recruiting people for this programme and will need help spreading the word to artists with lived experience of seeking sanctuary in the London area.

If you have any questions or would be interested in getting involved, please email [email protected] for the London course, and [email protected] for the Wales course.