On the evening of the 9^th May, a packed hall at the WorkSpace in All Saints welcomed Inderjit Bhogal OBE, Methodist Minister, writer and commentator, leader of the Corrymeela Community, humanitarian and Chair of the City of Sanctuary movement. There at the invitation of the Wolverhampton Inter-faith and Regeneration Network, Inderjit led the explorations for Wolverhampton to work towards recognition as a City of Sanctuary.

 Faith bodies, community groups, voluntary organisations and individuals listened to Inderjit, held round table discussions and watched the City of Sanctuary film (http://www.cityofsanctuary.org/node/540), and fed back on a positive and progressive round of deliberations. 

Proud to be a Place of Safety City of Sanctuary is a movement of local people and community groups. We want Wolverhampton to be a welcoming place for people seeking sanctuary from war or persecution. For many years Wolverhampton has offered a home to people whose lives were in danger in their own countries. Many have lost their homes and families, but they have brought new skills, music, food and hard work to build up our city. City of Sanctuary supporters include faith bodies, community centres, charities, voluntary groups, social clubs, schools and businesses. Supporting organisations promise to welcome and include people seeking sanctuary in their activities. By doing this, they help local people and new arrivals to meet and to work together to improve their communities. We would like more local groups and individuals to help in making Wolverhampton proud to be a place of safety. We can organise concerts, talks and workshops to bring Wolverhampton people together, and we can send our supporters news of local refugee events and opportunities. If you would like to be involved in making Wolverhampton a more welcoming city then please contact Geoff here at WNC or alternatively John or Mike at WIFRN on 427601 or admin@wifrn.org.uk or for more information on City of Sanctuary visit the website: www.cityofsanctuary.org

How could your community welcome people seeking sanctuary? 

·         Pass a resolution of support for Wolverhampton City of Sanctuary and send us a copy. 

·         Display one of the "We welcome refugees" signs outside your building or office. 

·         Invite a refugee to speak to your community about their experiences. 

·         Publicise City of Sanctuary, Refugee Week and other refugee events within your community. 

·         Publicise opportunities for voluntary work with refugee organisations. 

·         Invite refugee groups to your community social events. 

·         Offer befriending or advocacy to people seeking sanctuary in your area. 

·         Offer meeting or worship space to a refugee community group. 

·         Raise funds for a local refugee charity. 

·         Provide short or longer-term accommodation to people who are homeless because they have been refused sanctuary, by offering a spare room, or by contributing to the rent for a house. 

·         Offer volunteer placements for suitably skilled refugees with your organisation. 

·         Consider appointing refugees to positions of responsibility in your community. 

These are just a few suggestions of ways that community groups can involve people seeking sanctuary in your activities. For more information, contacts with relevant organisations and support with putting these or other ideas into practice please contact Wolverhampton Inter-faith and Regeneration Network, The Methodist Centre, 24 School Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 4LF, telephone 01902 427601, email admin@wifrn.org.uk or see the website www.wifrn.org.uk. Geoff Boswell (gboswell@w-n-c.org) at our office can also advise on the City of Sanctuary initiative.