Manchester City of Sanctuary

The organisation works to support refugees and asylum seekers who are embarking on new lives in the UK and aims to do this through welcome, integration and community hospitality. This results in new arrivals facing decreased levels of isolation, increased levels of well-being, personal empowerment and stronger social networks, whilst simultaneously strengthening communities and bringing people of all backgrounds together.

The aim is to make all pockets of society places of sanctuary, including schools, businesses, sports centres, churches/faith centres, health services and universities. Through this initiative friendships develop between asylum seekers and UK nationals which creates a natural integration of cultures, religions and ethnicities.

We achieve this through delivering events, online and face-to-face, that promote connection and provide an opportunity for people to come together, have fun and make friends. This also has the benefit of promoting positive mental health and wellbeing and develops resilience. We also work in partnerships with other organisations to refer sanctuary seekers for additional support or to signpost them to other services.