City of Sanctuary Summer Newsletter 2025
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Happy Solstice! - Yasmin Millican, BCoS Manager
Dear friends,
Your friends at City of Sanctuary are committed to working towards making Bristol a more cohesive city; one in which representatives of civil society and organisations embedded in different sectors stand in solidarity with sanctuary seekers.
Although small and poorly organised, the anti-migrant UKIP protest and so-called ‘Great British Strike’ in May should not be ignored, and instead should re-double our efforts to advocate for policies and opportunities that enable asylum seekers and refugees to feel welcome and included in our communities. Our vision is of an island of solidarity, not an island of strangers.
It’s been shown that just a single ten minute long conversation encouraging taking the perspective of others can markedly reduce prejudice for at least 3 months.
Download our free guide to start having courageous conversations today!
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Our first Education Champion Project Coordinators!
We are excited to welcome Iman and Arwah to our small team as the first Education Champion Project Coordinators! They will lead a network of refugee parent champions who will strengthen the engagement of asylum seeking and refugee parents of pupils at Bristol schools. The Project Coordinators are able to draw on their first-hand experiences of displacement and integration in the city, as well as their knowledge of the UK education system, their language skills and their familiarity with the communities to improve communication channels with schools.
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A huge congratulations to the 7 schools who are the newest addition to our ever-expanding Schools of Sanctuary network! On Friday 27th June, these 7 schools will receive the Sanctuary Award for their outstanding work to educate and inform all school staff and governors about the rights and experiences of refugees and asylum seekers, embedding the principles of sanctuary in all areas of school life, and sharing their best practice with the wider community. This year’s event will be held at We the Curious, who offer free entry for refugees and asylum seekers all year round. The ceremony will feature music from Dovetail Orchestra, readings from CityPoet Sukina Noor and most importantly, presentations from the pupils of Bristol schools. Contact homa@bristol.cityofsanctuary.org if you would like to attend!
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Bristol's first Orchestra and Arts Organisation of Sanctuary!
Our Sanctuary Awards programme recognises and celebrates the organisations and institutions who go above and beyond to foster welcome, compassion and empowering opportunities. In the last month we have had the honour of awarding both Arnolfini and Dovetail Orchestra!
“We are so honoured by this award, which has only been possible through the incredible support and collaboration of our community partners. This work has become a core part of who we are — helping us to become not only a more empathetic organisation, but also a more collaborative and open one." – Keiko, Arnolfini.
“It feels like a huge honour to be named the first UK Orchestra of Sanctuary! Going through the process of applying for this Arts award really sharpened our vision for how Dovetail Orchestra can offer sanctuary and what that means for our members and team right now as well as in the future. Having the recognition gives us a real boost and sense of purpose, and we feel stronger through being networked to the national Sanctuary network” – Jon, Dovetail Orchestra.
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ECFC Award as a Church of Sanctuary! - Homa Banaei, Bristol Schools of Sanctuary Coordinator
This year, ECFC was officially recognised as a Church of Sanctuary, a real testament to its heart for welcoming and supporting refugees and asylum seekers. But what does that actually mean in practice? I think the best way to understand it is by hearing directly from those who’ve experienced it themselves.
Floss, one of the local members, shared:
“Being part of ECFC has taught me so much, not from the news or papers, but from real people. I’ve learned what it’s like to be an asylum seeker: to leave your family, your home, your country; to live in a so-called hotel while waiting for permission to stay; to stand in court and plead your case. It’s also given me the chance to learn about new cultures, languages, and even different foods. Of course, it’s not always easy; sometimes we need extra patience as we get used to sermons in two languages. But I really believe that maybe the Lord is preparing us for that day in glory when we shall praise and worship Him not in just two languages, but alongside those from every nation.”
Babak, an Iranian refugee, shared his experience too:
“In our Iranian culture, even after you leave your parents’ house, it’s still like your own home, you can always go back and find a warm welcome. For me, ECFC has been like that. From the first day I came, I was welcomed with open arms. I felt so much love here that I couldn’t believe how kind everyone was to a stranger. ECFC has become a home for me and for my Iranian brothers and sisters. Here we’ve shared both tears and laughter, always feeling the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. We found refuge at ECFC. And now, we try to pass on that same love to others, to be a refuge for all people. As the Word of God says: ‘For you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.’ On behalf of all my friends, I want to say thank you for accepting us as family.”
As ECFC receives this Church of Sanctuary award, these stories remind us that sanctuary is more than just a title- it’s a community, a family, and a safe place where everyone is welcome. May we continue to walk this journey together, with open hearts and open arms, reflecting God’s love in every language and every life.
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Previous events
Child Migrant Stories
On Thursday 3rd April, BCoS brought together over 80 attendees at the Watershed for Child of Migrant Stories, an evening of oral histories, short films and live music, highlighting the voices and experiences of those who came to the UK as children fleeing war, persecution, and hardship.
Through powerful testimony and creative expression, the event created those whose stories are too often left out of mainstream narratives. Speakers Maurice Nwokeji, Gabriela Bran, Fatim Nikolaure and Eithne Nightingale shared deeply personal reflections on identity, belonging, and the long journey of making a new home. Their words were moving, raw and rich with insight, offering a rare opportunity to listen, reflect and connect. The evening also featured a beautifully moving performance from the Dovetail Orchestra, whose music created space for emotional resonance and collective pause. Their contribution reminded us of the role that art and culture play in creating sanctuary and bridging communities. Hosted at Watershed and supported by a diverse audience of community members and allies, the event created a space where listening became a form of action. Many attendees shared that the event was not only informative, but profoundly grounding, offering a renewed sense of purpose and connection
All proceeds went towards supporting the work of BCoS. Events like this are a reminder of the importance of making space for migrant voices, and the power of storytelling to build empathy, shift narratives, and move people towards justice.
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Citizens UK traning (Jugurta)
Community Organising and Advocacy
How to win change on the issues affecting you.
On 16th April, we held the first in a series of community organising training sessions facilitated by Citizens UK and Jugurtha, an experienced campaigner with lived experience who helped win the campaign for free bus travel in Oxford.
15 powerful individuals with personal experience of the asylum system participated actively in the training, learning how to build relationships in their communities, how to identify problems and solutions and how to plan for meeting decision-makers.
The next training will be held on Tuesday 22nd July - get in touch with bristol a_t cityofsanctuary d_o_t org to register.
“We did the training with Fiona about how to make a change. We discussed the steps involved and learned how to do it. So the training was helpful and we were excited. In the training course, we addressed several problems faced by asylum seekers and we found the biggest issue is the bus pass, so we decided to work on it.” – Jugurtha
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Sanctuary Walk to Memorial Garden
As part of Bristol’s historic Refugee Festival, we organised a special Sanctuary Walk to explore the city’s long and layered history of offering refuge. Led by local experts from the Radical History Group, the walk highlighted key locations across Bristol—including landmarks tied to the transatlantic slave trade and sites of welcome and solidarity that have supported newcomers over the years. We concluded in the Memorial Garden, a reflective space that honours both past struggles and the ongoing journey towards justice, belonging, and sanctuary for all.
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Resources
ACH/UWE Podcast Series
Amplifying Voices: ‘Wisdom from the Global Majority’ Podcast Returns for a Second Series
ACH, in partnership with the University of the West of England (UWE), one of Bristol’s two Universities of Sanctuary, funded by UWE Bristol’s Community Fund and Quartet Community Foundation, is proud to present the second series of Wisdom from the Global Majority, a podcast series dedicated to sharing the lived experiences, resilience and aspirations of refugees and migrants in Bristol. Each episode offers an authentic space where voices often left out of mainstream narratives are heard, celebrated and uplifted.
From entrepreneurial journeys to stories of integration and green employment, the podcasts showcase the resilience and contributions of individuals forging new lives with hope and determination. In this second series, nine MA Journalism students from UWE participated, engaging with participants in a highly professional and empathetic manner. Their work reflects a shared commitment to inclusion, belonging and the transformative power of storytelling to foster understanding across communities.
You can listen to the podcast and be part of this growing conversation by visiting https://ach.org.uk/podcasts
Let’s continue to learn from, support and celebrate the global majority living and thriving in our city.
Listening Event: Asylum Seekers Call for Action on Accessible and Affordable Public Transport
On Friday 9th May, Bristol City of Sanctuary hosted a Sanctuary Listening Event with 11 other organisations representing Bristol’s refugee and asylum seeker support sector. During the event, 17 refugees and people seeking asylum shared their lived experiences with politicians including a local MP, MPs’ case workers and a cross section of Councillors from Bristol City Council, revealing the serious barriers that expensive and inaccessible bus travel creates. These include:
Inability to access vital health and support services, which contributes to increased isolation, poor mental health, and worsening wellbeing.
Heavy reliance on voluntary organisations to cover transport costs. These groups are already overstretched and unable to meet the growing demand for support.
Inadequate financial support, with asylum seekers receiving just £8.86 per week for all personal expenses, including transport. This meagre allowance makes travel for medical appointments, legal advice, education, or community participation nearly impossible.
One asylum seeker described a regular 45-minute walk — despite having serious health issues — just to reach the nearest bus stop to attend a vital medical appointment. Others spoke of missing out on education and training courses because they couldn’t afford to get there, or the nearest bus stops were simply too far.
The group acknowledged a range of difficulties asylum seekers face, but chose to focus on transport because of its foundational role in enabling access to other services — and because of successful campaigns in places like Oxford and Birmingham where asylum seekers now benefit from free or subsidised travel.
They are now urging the West of England Mayoral Authority, Bristol City Council and local transport providers to consider introducing free bus tickets for asylum seekers as a key step towards promoting equality, integration, and wellbeing.
Participants said:
"I am so happy today that my voice has been heard"
"I am happy to be here, to be in a room with politicians(sic) / organisations, I feel blessed to be here!"
Response from Jugurta:
On 9th of May, we met with one of Bristol’s MPs, county councillors and with the Head of Network at First Bus and we discussed the problems that asylum seekers face with the bus, because a lot of asylum seekers are suffering in the hotels and they can't go outside and do volunteering to integrate with the society or go to doctors’ appointment. The response was amazing with everyone understanding each other and they told us they will work on it. If asylum seekers get a free bus pass it will change their lives.
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Join us in Queen Square on Sunday 22nd June for an afternoon of joy, culture and community as we come together to celebrate sanctuary in Bristol. From 12:30pm to 6:00pm, the square will come alive with live music, dance, delicious food, and family-friendly activities. The line-up includes West African rhythms from Hélélé, a performance by Hong Kong-based band Dawn from HK, children’s Capoeira, world fusion dance from Movema, Iranian folk fusion by VILK Collective, powerful drumming by the Superwomen Drummers, and a global mix from DJ Stephy. There will also be craft activities, community stalls, cakes, and refreshments. Entry is free and everyone is welcome. This is more than just a festival, it’s a shared space for connection, where cultures meet and stories are celebrated. We encourage everyone to travel sustainably where possible.
Posted: June 2025
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