Over the course of the last few weeks I have had one particular thing mentioned to me so many times, so I thought I should find out some more about it…
City of Sanctuary
This is a growing movement that aims to build a culture of hospitality for people seeking sanctuary, or asylum, in the UK. It is beautifully simple. Local people from city communities across the UK are opening their doors and their lives to people from across the world who have come to the UK in search of safety because the situation at home for them is so bad that they felt they had no choice but to leave it. Doesn’t that sound right?
If we were in such desperate fear that we had to uproot ourselves and leave our home, family, culture, job, friends and neighbourhood, wouldn’t we just hope that someone, wherever we end up, would at least show a bit of respect for us? Even an interest and some kindness…
City of Sanctuary is about bringing people together to develop a culture of welcome and hospitality and it is sweeping across the UK like wildfire…
It started in Sheffield in 2005 and in September 2007, with the support of the City Council and over 70 local community organisations, Sheffield became the UK’s first official ‘City of Sanctuary’ — a city that takes pride in the welcome it offers to people in need of safety. Since then it has spread to 14 other cities and more are joining the movement each year.
A City of Sanctuary is a place of safety and welcome for people whose lives are in danger in their own countries.
It is a place where:
- the skills and cultures of people seeking sanctuary are valued, where they are included in local communities and able to contribute to the life of the city.
- community groups, local government, media, business, schools and colleges have a shared commitment to offering sanctuary, so that it is seen as part of the city’s identity by local people.
- people seeking sanctuary can easily build relationships with local people as neighbours, friends and colleagues. Through these relationships, local people come to understand the injustices refugees face, and become motivated to support and defend them.
Watch this short film to find out more:
To find out more, go to the City of Sanctuary Website
