This Summer, we're celebrating our wins.
Did you know that across the UK right now there are:
- 24 Universities of Sanctuary
- 355 Schools of Sanctuary
- 32 Arts Organisations of Sanctuary
- 13 Libraries of Sanctuary and
- 6 Gardens of Sanctuary
Recent campaigns against the Linton-on-Ouse barracks-style asylum centre were successful, as the plan has now been scrapped.
The sector is galvanising against the Rwanda plan, with legal challenges mounting and public support waning.
In Calderdale, we have a Cinema of Sanctuary (Hebden Bridge Picture House - first in the nation!) and 3 organisations currently working to become Places of Sanctuary.
We have frontline organisations like St. Augustine's Centre, Light Up BAHC, and Together We Grow providing incredible support for people seeking sanctuary in our borough. More and more organisations are joining forces to provide services, build partnerships and help source donations to further their work.
No matter how bleak things might seem - we're choosing to remember the wins. To see the movement building locally and nationally, and to allow ourselves to remain steadfast in our optimism. Thank you for helping us continue to spread the movement and make a statement - loud and clear - that we stand together with refugees!
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Calder Community Squash Welcomes You
Founded by Aron Harper-Robinson, Calder Community Squash CIC offers programmes that use squash as a vehicle to enrich lives in under-served communities within Halifax.
‘We See You’ is one of their latest projects, which supports refugees and people seeking asylum by offering weekly squash classes. These sessions help combat loneliness and allow escape through sport. You can read more about the project here.
You can read more about this project and view additional videos on our website.
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We're pleased to announce that we've officially begun work on our next project, "I am skillful, I am talented," funded by The Wharfedale Foundation.
Through this project, we are working with local filmmaker Matt Radcliffe to produce a film highlighting the many skills and talents that people seeking sanctuary bring to our borough. We're also partnering to provide comprehensive training for 4 refugees to learn basic videography, which they'll be able to put to use in the final video.
We'll be providing updates about this project as it progresses, so do keep a lookout on our blog and social media channels!
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Join the Coalition:
A reminder to all groups and organisations within our networks to join the Together With Refugees Coalition. Any organisation, big or small (libraries, schools, theatres, galleries, colleges etc) can join and be part of the push for a kinder, fairer and more effective approach to supporting refugees in the UK.
Join the coalition - Together With Refugees
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Refugee Week Survey
There's still time to provide your feedback for our Refugee Week Survey!
Remember, your feedback is useful even if you did not attend. Your contributions will help us make next year's Refugee Week even better than this year!
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How To Say Welcome in: Tigrinya
Each month, we share how to say "welcome" in a new language. Here's how to say "welcome" in Tigrinya, spoken in Eritrea and Ethiopia:
መርሓባ (merhaba)
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#PeopleMove Project
The Daily Mirror has run a photography project featuring people who have sought sanctuary in the UK, telling their stories through the perspective of an object they brought with them. We are so proud that national Sanctuary Ambassadors Comfort and Lubna got to be involved. See all the stories here.
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Spotlight: Together We Grow Camping Trip
CVoS Member Together We Grow recently took a large group of people seeking sanctuary on a fantastic camping trip to Old Chamber campsite above Hebden Bridge.
They enjoyed lovely food, games, walks, socialising, and so much more. Two local artists, Lizzie and Linda, made some beautiful lanterns with the children, which they could use in the tents and take home.
You can follow along the brilliant work TWG are doing in the Upper Valley via their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/www.togetherwegrow2.org.uk
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We're Hiring - Membership Engagement Project
We are looking for someone who will play a key role in driving forward our relationships with our Members, developing a clear engagement plan and taking responsibility for its implementation.
Are you proactive, self-organised, creative, and brilliant with people? We want to hear from you!
Closes Thursday, 1 September
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We're Recruiting Trustees!
Are you passionate about creating a Calderdale that is inclusive and welcoming, where people seeking sanctuary are celebrated for their contribution?
We are now looking for 5 new motivated and enthusiastic Trustees to join us at an extremely exciting time of development and growth.
Closes Friday, 2 September
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2022 City of Sanctuary AGM and Conference
Held in Bradford on September 21st, the theme of this year’s conference is ‘Inspiring Resilience’.
There will be speakers, workshops and more! Places are now fully booked, but much of the conference will be streamed online. You can check here to find out more about the event, view the full programme or even register to join via Zoom.
Calderdale Valley of Sanctuary will be represented at the conference - we'll make sure and send updates in the following newsletter!
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Welcome to City of Sanctuary: An Introduction
New to City of Sanctuary or just plain curious? Do you want to understand what we do as a movement and as an umbrella organisation?
Come along to our Introduction to City of Sanctuary UK online session. We will provide an overview of the background and growth of the City of Sanctuary movement across the UK, share our values and aims and how we work with community organisations across all four UK nations to support new arrivals.
Date: 26 Sep 2022
Time: 12:30-13:30
Venue: ONLINE
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Schools of Sanctuary: An Introduction
In this first event of the academic year, we will give an overview of the Schools of Sanctuary award, outlining the process, criteria and drawing on examples from recently awarded schools.
A perfect starting point for schools, nurseries and sixth forms that are interested in going through the process in the new academic year.
Date: 11 Oct 2022
Time: 16:00 - 17:00
Venue: ONLINE
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We want to feature YOUR news!
We would love to feature news from our Members and Supporters, especially in relation to the work we do to support people seeking sanctuary in Calderdale.
Please send your news, updates, events or job listings to: comms@calderdale.cityofsanctuary.org
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