Welcome to our May newsletter aiming to update, share opportunities, new resources and ideas for action. Thank you to City of Sanctuary groups for posting articles on your websites and telling us about your inspirational work.
Please help us to keep the newsletter balanced by sharing your news with us. Sharing your latest stories on your website also keeps it up to date. Please also share this newsletter with your supporters and networks.
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News from around the Network
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Sanctuary in the Senedd
 The Annual Sanctuary in the Senedd event took place on the 3rd April, and was attended by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
The inspirational event aimed to explore how together we can make Wales a Nation of Sanctuary, and in that spirit, for the first time Sanctuary in the Senedd was a partnership event between the Welsh Refugee Coalition, Public Health Wales, Welsh Government and the Welsh Local Government Association. |
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Successful Schools of Sanctuary Workshop
 On Saturday 23 March, CoS staff, volunteers and coordinators from across the Yorkshire & Humberside region met in Leeds for a Schools of Sanctuary consultation and workshop. Attendees included CoS volunteers who have been engaged with the SoS for years, as well as volunteers from groups that are just embarking on the stream. Read more about it here and check out the revised Schools of Sanctuary award application guidelines and minimum criteria. We are still consulting the network and your input is important. |
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City of Sanctuary National Conference and AGM
 City of Sanctuary Network groups and their supporters will gather at their annual conference in Coventry on Thursday 23rd May. The conference titled ‘Welcoming Together’ will look at how towns, cities and local organisations can work together to increase participation and engagement of people seeking sanctuary. The conference is organised as part of the national City of Sanctuary’s Annual General Meeting. Read more about the day here |
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Network Voice Meeting
The inaugural City of Sanctuary Network Voice meeting took place from 12-13 April at the Penny Brohn Centre outside of Bristol. Network Voice developed out of the recognition that an advisory mechanism was needed to ensure people directly involved in groups and streams from around the network, including people seeking sanctuary, could influence the strategic direction of City of Sanctuary UK. Check out the story of our day together here.
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City of Sanctuary Book now available!
 The much-awaited book, 'A Hundred Thousand Welcomes', written by Tiffy Allen, brings to life the story of City of Sanctuary through a tapestry of personal stories from all over the network. It is a useful and readable introduction to both the City of Sanctuary vision and raises awareness about the issues affecting people seeking sanctuary. It will be launched at the AGM on 23rd May in Coventry at the City of Sanctuary Conference and AGM. You can order your online copy here. |
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Hastings & Rother Buddy Project
The Buddy Project is taking shape and growing every day. Volunteers have been carrying out ad hoc buddying activities with the newly arriving Syrian families, and in doing so, forming close and friendly relationships. Read more about the fundraising here
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BOLTON: a Station of Sanctuary?
The railway (or bus) station is very often the first experience a refugee will have of arriving into a town or city. The welcome that he or she receives then may well determine their feelings about the host community. Bolton has proposed that the town’s train station become a “Station of Sanctuary”. Read more. . .
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University of Sanctuary in the Spotlight at an International Conference
Our University of Sanctuary initiative was one of the innovative approaches supporting people seeking sanctuary highlighted at an international conference organised by The Association of Commonwealth Universities at University of Edinburgh early this month. Thank you to the two sanctuary scholars on the University of Sanctuary steering group who represented us at the conference and Edinburgh City of Sanctuary for hosting them. Read more here.
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Lift the Ban Campaign Wins the National Campaigner Award for Best Coalition
 Asylum Matters, together with Refugee Action, is thrilled to accept the National Campaigner Award by the Sheila McKechnie Foundation for the Lift the Ban campaign which received the award for best coalition. This award category recognises campaigns led by multiple partners in ways which are creative, respectful and genuinely collaborative. Tens of thousands of supporters have signed a petition to the Home Secretary, who has the power to change the rules. Please support the on going petition. |
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Campaigning and Asylum Matters
Please visit Asylum Matters website for more campaigns to follow and support.
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Events, Resources and Opportunities
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Regional Gatherings 2019
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For Refugees, With Refugees Interfaith resource
The Council for Christians and Jews has published a resource for interfaith responses to working with Refugees, which was developed in partnership with other organisations including City of Sanctuary UK. Resource available here.
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ESOL Development Days
New resources working with learners who are new to ESOL and literacy learning are being launched this month by the Education and Training Foundation. Development days which support ESOL tutors to use the resources are now fully booked but if you follow this link you can join the waiting list for future days.
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Refugee week just launched their 7 new #SimpleActs for #RefugeeWeek2019
7 simple things we can all do to help change the way we see refugees, and ourselves. Please share your events with us on twitter. @CityofSanctuary
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Latest Asylum Statistics
Click here for the latest asylum and refugee quarterly data release from Office for National Statistics, for period ending December 2018 is now available. See here . There are some useful info-graphics in this article on asylum applications.
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Job Opportunities
- Lincolnshire Refugee Doctor is recruiting for a Programme Administrator (Part time). If you are interested and require further information, as well as an application form, please email: muna.abujaber@lincsrefugeedoctors.co.uk
- Detention Forum are looking for a couple of enthusiastic and curious volunteers who have a deep interest in and commitment to challenging immigration detention and can help us increase our social media presence
- Birkbeck University is recruiting for a Senior Access Officer: Refugees and Asylum Seekers Closing date for applicants 14-Apr-2019. Details available here
- NACCOM is seeking a Treasurer for their Board of Trustees - checkout the details here.
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