On 7th February we held a meeting at Sheffield University to choose our priorities for Sheffield as a City of Sanctuary over the next year. Fifty supporters and representatives of supporting organisations held lively discussions and shared their ideas.

There was a broad commitment to our Manifesto of long term goals for Sheffield, (see 'Our Manifesto' link on the left).

The core priority that was identified by the meeting was on building community between local people and new arrivals, particularly in key local neighbourhoods where asylum-seekers and refugees are concentrated.

Proposals were made to create opportunities for local people and asylum-seekers to share their views and experiences, to support local communities in receiving new arrivals and resolve tensions and conflicts. This could also include work with local schools and other community organisations to raise awareness about the situation of asylum-seekers and refugees.

We also discussed a proposal to set up a city-centre ‘Sanctuary Café', run by asylum-seekers and refugees, and serving food from their own cultures. The café could also offer a meeting place, internet access and training opportunities in catering and management.

We also received offers of help toward fulfilling our goals for Sheffield as a City of Sanctuary from many organisations, which we will be following up over the coming weeks.

If anyone would like to be involved in developing and implementing some of these proposals as part of a voluntary working group, please contact us.