1. Building a culture of welcome city by city

2. Building a Culture of Welcome City by City
There are 80 cities, boroughs and towns signed up to the Network with committed local groups. Here are just some:
Medway Towns
Doncaster
Reading
Bradford
Bristol
Cardiff
Coventry
Derry/Londonderry
Exeter
Hackney
Hull
Leeds
Liverpool
Nottingham
Oxford
Southampton
Newcastle
Tees Valley
Stirling
Malvern
Hay,Brecon and Talgarth
Barnsley
Swansea
Wakefield
York
Loughborough
Belfast
Brighton
Birmingham
Causeway
Derby
Dublin
Glasgow
Huddersfield
Ipswich
Leicester
Manchester
Sunderland
Wolverhampton
East Hoatthley and Halland
Lancaster
Cambridge
Waterford
Wrexham
Today there are over 80 cities and towns signed up to the Network-each with committed local groups striving to provide a place of welcome to people seeking sanctuary
Have a look at the list – can you find your city/town on there?

3. 6th Century Irish Hymn I saw a stranger yestereen
I put food in the eating place
Drink in the drinking place
Music in the listening place
And in the sacred name of the Triune
He blessed myself and my house
My cattle and my dear ones
And the lark said in her song
Often, often, often
Goes the Christ in the stranger’s guise

5. “Why should we love the stranger
“Why should we love the stranger? Because God loves the stranger – and remember, you were strangers in Egypt.” Deuteronomy 10:19

6. “Do good - to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, those in need, neighbours who are near, neighbours who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer.“
Quran 4:36

7. “I was a stranger and you welcomed me…
Truly I tell you, just as you did this to the least of my brothers, …
you did it to me”
Matthew 25: 35,40

8. THE CORE PRINCIPLES
Mainstream, grassroots movement – all sectors involved
Building bridges between ‘local people’ and refugees
Strengthening and broadening the support base for asylum seekers and refugees
Helping create a culture of hospitality and welcome
Celebrating the contribution of refugees to society
Creating and enhancing networks between key players

9. Asylum Process- Around 12 Months
Arrival in UK – port of entry
Statement of Evidence form (SEF)
BIA(NASS) Housing and Support (Reception centre, dispersal)
(HO) asylum Interview
Refused Accepted
(28 days to leave NASS Support)
Appeal in Court Time Limited (3yrs)
(ELR, HLR, ELE, DLR)
Refused
Tribunal Section 4 / case resolution
(Judicial Review)
(Refused - Destitute, Detained & Deported or voluntary return)

10. WHO WILL BE INVOLVED? Education – schools, colleges, universities…
Sport – big clubs, little clubs, football, rugby…
Health – hospitals, health centres, community…
Faith- churches, mosques, temples, small groups...
Business…
Voluntary – charity shops, social groups, clubs…
Services – police, fire service, libraries, council…
Politicians, celebrities, youth, elderly…

11. Resolution of Support
xxxx (organisation or individual) recognises the contribution of asylum-seekers and refugees to the City of xxxx, and is committed to welcoming and including them in our activities. We support xxxx becoming a ‘City of Sanctuary’ for all newcomers, especially those seeking safety.

12. WHAT IS NEEDED ? Welcome, inclusion and befriending for new arrivals
Sensitivity to the times of greatest need
Response to destitution and detention
Healing of the trauma of forced migration
Understanding and myth-busting across society
Recognition of the contribution refugees make to society

13. THE CHANGING SITUATION
Cuts/ Home Office Contracts
New arrivals
Legal aid
ESOL classes
‘New Asylum Model’
Under-funded charities
Increased barriers to family reunion
Fresh ideas about working together

14. WHAT CAN A FAITH GROUP DO?
Welcome without discrimination
Open eyes to see their ‘neighbour’
Teach sanctuary principles
Awareness raising on asylum issues
Share resources (people, space, finance)
Use existing structures (small groups, festivals) to practice hospitality and inclusiveness
Lobby on issues of justice and human rights
Practical examples of welcoming
Encourage members to volunteer and get involved
Apply for a Sanctuary Award

15. WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR CITY?
Do an inventory of the work going on
These are your first partnerships
City of Sanctuary will support and promote these organisations and projects, NOT get into competition with them or give them extra work
City of Sanctuary can help networking and partnerships across the city
City of Sanctuary always gets the message out beyond the ‘usual suspects’

16. Faiths in Sanctuary Awards Three Core Principles
Learn about what it means to be seeking sanctuary;
Embed - take positive action to make welcome and inclusion part of the values of your church/faith group, to support sanctuary seekers and refugees, and to include them in your activities.
Share your vision and achievements;

17. So – what are you going to do next?
OVER TO YOU
So – what are you going to do next?