This is your City of Sanctuary
Who are we?
Wherever we come from, we all have a right to feel safe. That’s why city by city, community by community, we are building a more welcoming UK for people rebuilding their lives here.
From community groups to schools and universities, local council to libraries and theatres, we work with individuals, groups and organisations in every sector to encourage inclusivity, solidarity and compassion for people from a forced displacement background.
We are a small charity with a huge vision that every person seeking sanctuary feels welcomed, safe and that their contribution to the community is valued.
Our Sanctuary Awards recognise and celebrate the organisations who go above and beyond to welcome people seeking sanctuary.
What do we do?
- We raise awareness of what it means to seek sanctuary in Bristol, challenging misconceptions and celebrating the immense contributions that people seeking sanctuary make to our city.
- We work with Bristol’s schools, universities, faith groups, businesses and arts organisations to embed a culture of welcome in their institutions.
- We advocate for a fair and humane asylum system, a system which protects rather than punishes.
Bristol has been part of the City of Sanctuary movement for over a decade. It would not have been possible without people like you. We are made up of people who go above and beyond to change things for the better.
What can I do?
Support our Transport Fund for People Seeking Sanctuary
A day pass for the bus in Bristol is £6.50.
The current support from the Home Office for people waiting for a decision on their asylum claim is just over £7 a day.
Asylum seekers who have been placed in Initial Accommodation Hotels where food is provided receive only £8.86 a week; barely £1 a day.
It doesn’t add up.
Bristol is a big city and a lot of the important services for people seeking sanctuary are located centrally. This means many asylum seekers are forced either to walk for miles or to spend nearly all their allowance on bus tickets over essentials such as phone credit to speak with family members, printing costs for legal documents or suitable clothing.
We are partnering with First Bus to provide free bus tickets for people seeking sanctuary.