Bradford City of Sanctuary
The city of Bradford has a proud history of welcoming and including newcomers from all corners of the world. A City of Sanctuary Bradford working group was established in July 2008, with a vision to see this culture of welcome and hospitality extended to include those seeking sanctuary in our city.
We celebrate the huge contribution that asylum seekers and refugees bring to the city and want to see this more broadly recognized. We aim to challenge some of the misinformation and negative stereotypes already in the public domain. We hope to stimulate opportunities for those seeking sanctuary to participate fully in the life of this city.
We are very grateful for generous financial support from the Cooperative Local Members Committee, as well as much practical support from Touchstone
Contacts
City of Sanctuary Bradford
c/o Touchstone
32 Merton Rd
Bradford
BD7 1RE
Tel: 01274 721626 (+answerphone)
email: cofsbradford@googlemail.com
Chair: Will Sutcliffe
Resolution of Support
Could your group or organisation sign a resolution such as this?
"(Our organisation) recognizes the contribution of asylum-seekers and refugees to the City of Bradford, and is committed to welcoming and including them in our activities. We support Bradford becoming a recognized 'City of Sanctuary' for refugees and asylum-seekers."
If so please download, sign and return the attached Resolution of Support.
Launch of City of Sanctuary Bradford campaign
Submitted by Will Sutcliffe on Mon, 06/10/2008 - 09:24.
Almost 100 people from many sectors of the city gathered on 1st October for a hugely successful launch event.
Our Supporters
The following 82 groups, organisations and businesses had signed our Resolution of Support as at 17.12.08:
City of Sanctuary Bradford: Press Release
Submitted by Will Sutcliffe on Mon, 29/09/2008 - 14:45.
BRADFORD SEEKS SANCTUARY STATUS
Imagine. You are a young woman in your early 20's. Early one morning in 2005 you were abducted by militia from your home in the Rwanda. You were imprisoned, tortured and raped. After a year you managed to escape and fled to Britain where you sought asylum. The Home Office dispersed you to Bradford. On arrival however you experienced suspicion and open hostility from neighbours - even from some professionals. Today you are still plagued by nightmares.
Those now working for City of Sanctuary status for Bradford are hoping to overcome the ignorance that led to this, and build a culture of welcome and hospitality for those who seek sanctuary here. "For some time a few excellent Bradford projects have been helping people like this young woman," says Will Sutcliffe, chair of the City of Sanctuary Bradford working group. "Now many people of goodwill in Bradford from faith, community and other groups are committing themselves to see Bradford becoming a ‘City of Sanctuary'. It will make many practical differences and enhance Bradford's global reputation. The message it puts out to the world is that our city has a generous, welcoming heart."
Successfully launched in Sheffield in 2007 with the backing of the City Council, the City of Sanctuary movement is now a growing network of towns and cities across the UK in which a broad range of organisations work together with local government to welcome victims such as the woman above and ensure that they are fully integrated into their communities.
