We have some exciting news to share with you all!

On Wednesday 21st July 2017, we presented to the full Southampton City Council chamber asking them to recognise and endorse that Southampton is a City of Sanctuary.

Southampton has a long history of welcoming refugees who have contributed and shaped our society. City of Sanctuary Southampton is made up of professionals and volunteers who work together to make Southampton a warm and welcome place for refugees and asylum seekers. City of Sanctuary Southampton was formed in 2013 and since then we have been engaging in Southampton’s schools, universities, theatres and other organisations to learn and share what it means to be seeking sanctuary and embed and share concepts of welcome.

The council were invited to pass this resolution of support for City of Sanctuary Southampton:
• “We support the initiative to make Southampton into a recognised ‘City of Sanctuary’, welcoming those fleeing violence and persecution in their own countries.
• We recognise the contribution of refugees and people seeking sanctuary to the City of Southampton.
• We are committed to taking practical steps to welcome and include them in our activities and are actively seeking ways of supporting them wherever we can.
• We are willing for our organisation’s name to be added to a list of supporters of City of Sanctuary.
• We are also willing to be contacted by the City of Sanctuary Southampton group with further ideas for how we can turn this pledge into practical action.”
This was received and was supported by ALL parties.

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported what we do and we hope we can continue to work together in making this city an even more welcoming place for all.