City of Sanctuary is a mainstream, grassroots movement.

Local groups work to bring together individuals and organisations from all sectors (faith groups, voluntary, business, education, etc) which make a public commitment to welcome and include refugees and people seeking sanctuary in their usual activities.

City of Sanctuary works by creating opportunities for relationship between local people and those seeking sanctuary.

Where local organisations and communities include people seeking sanctuary in their activities, personal relationships will be formed which will lead to greater understanding and support from the host community. City of Sanctuary seeks to influence the political debate on sanctuary through cultural change, through a commitment to awareness raising right across society, and through the many partnerships we enjoy throughout and beyond the refugee sector.

City of Sanctuary offers a positive vision of a culture of hospitality for those in need of safety.

We encourage communities to take pride in offering a place of safety for people whose lives are threatened, and celebrating their contribution to our towns and cities.