In Leeds, we are proud to extend the welcome of our city to people who come here seeking safety. We are committed to making our city a haven for anyone who needs its protection.
With City of Sanctuary, we want to create a network of people and organisations right across the city, united in making our city more welcoming, open and fair for all.
In November 2010, we launched our movement here. About 300 people came to celebrate this commitment and to share ideas about what we can do for Leeds to be recognised as a city that welcomes and supports all of its residents. To keep up with what we’re doing, why not join our email list (lower right hand corner of this page) and add us on Facebook or Twitter?
We invite you and your organisation – your school, faith group, business, charity – to sign our Promise of Support and get involved in whatever way suits you. Whether you want to display a sign, join a befriending scheme, or just smile at people you don’t know, there’s something everyone can do to help make Leeds more open and fair.
Read the latest updates on Sanctuary across the city of Leeds at our News page.
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On Wednesday 8 May, Leeds City Council heard a deputation regarding destitution, asking the City Council Executive Board to look into the issue of asylum seekers and destitution in Leeds. The Council chamber voted unanimously in favour of the Executive Board investigating the requests made!
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Job Vacancy at City of Sanctuary Schools of sanctuary
Development Worker, Schools of Sanctuary (self employed)
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The Welcome to Leeds project was created to address issues of isolation when asylum seekers arrive in Leeds by matching them with a volunteer who can introduce them to the City.
Read more about the project and case studies in the new booklet.
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On Wednesday 8 May, Leeds City Council will hear a deputation regarding destitution, asking the City Council executive to look into the issue of asylum seekers in Leeds. Read more about the deputation and how you can support it.
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We send out newsletters 4 times a year, and sometimes send out mini updates in between, as there always seems to so much going on! We love to let you know how the movement is impacting the city, and also to give you opportunities to find out how you can get involved in your area or sector. You can read our most recent newsletters online here.
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Refugee contributions to Leeds were featured on national television during November, when celebrity chef Jamie Oliver highlighted a business started by a refugee couple in his new programme ‘Jamie’s Great Britain’. The programme was aired on Channel 4 at 9pm on Tuesday 1st November.
Having tried and tested local Persian restaurant Dharvish, We recommend a visit!
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On Sunday afternoon, over 100 people (including the Lord Mayor) from more than ten Jewish, Christian and Muslim faith communities gathered at Siani Synagogue to explore ways of becoming more involved with City of Sanctuary.
Through presentations and interviews, we learned more about the asylum process and the experience of refugees. Whenever there was a gap in the programme, the room hummed with conversation as people got to know their neighbours and discussed what they and their communities could do.
