City of Sanctuary Bolton is supported by:

Our Groups

Sanctuary Story Tellers

A lively supportive group of women who want to improve their skills in English across speaking,listening,reading and writing. We range from beginners who want basic language skills to highly proficient users of English.

In the past we have performed poetry and prose at the Library and the Museum and produced books of our written work.

We are supportive of each other and learn from each other.

The group is multi-lingual with Arabic, Urdu,Turkish Italian, French and Somali all spoken and used to help and enrich our learning.

Where Bolton Library (currently Crompton Place)

When Wednesdays  10-11:45

Tea, coffee and biscuits provided

A warm welcome and relaxed atmosphere with lots of smiles and chatter.

 A big thank you to the Library-Library and Museum of Sanctuary

Octagon Sanctuary drama group

Led by Lucie from the Octagon we are a highly diverse women’s group of mainly asylum seekers and refugees who meet to enjoy theatre games and collaborative drama. We all develop confidence and a range of performance skills in a supportive environment full of encouragement and laughter.

We do community performances from

time to time and these are always a lot of fun.

Sometimes we have free tickets for performances and input by visiting theatre groups.A big thank you to the Octagon-Theatre of Sanctuary

At the moment we are developing a theatre piece around hope, community and freedom.

Where Octagon Theatre BL1 1SB

When Thursdays

11:30-1

Sandwiches and biscuits provided by the Octagon

Sewing Sisters

A small supportive group of women with a range of sewing skills from complete beginners to highly competent seamstresses.

We help each other and laugh a lot. A very relaxing end to the week.

Currently we are all making zipped bags and bags with pockets and handles…some of us more easily than others!! However there is always someone on hand to help.

Where

St Andrew and St George next to  Justicia

81,Knowsley St BL1 2BJ

Time Fridays

2-4pm

If you are interested in any of the groups or would like to know more about us please contact us on the email below.

Our email: [email protected], or [email protected].

City of Sanctuary UK newsletter- actions and job opportunities.

Last week we were honored to join Together With Refugees and many others to take the Protect Not Punish message to parliament. Watch the video of the event here, share and tag your MP. Huge congratulations to Joseph, one of our trustees, for running the Derby 10k all to raise funds for us and Upbeat Communities. You can chip into his fundraiser here. Thank you, Joseph!

Welcome to the team, Zaina! Zaina has joined our little team in the brand new role of Wellbeing and Health Coordinator – she’s going to support the delivery of a wellbeing project for people seeking sanctuary across the UK, in particular Wales. Please say hello! This year’s City of Sanctuary AGM will be happening on 21st September in Bradford. Please save the date! This will be an in-person event with some items streamed online. This event is for all City of Sanctuary groups and partner organisations. More information and how to apply for tickets will be available soon.

Congratulations and a warm welcome to Parkgate Primary school in Coventry who are now an awarded School of Sanctuary, Belfast City Council who have voted to officially become a Council of Sanctuary, Good Chance Theatre and Alien Theatre Company who are both now awarded and Amma Birth Companions in Glasgow have applied for a maternity award. The University of Aberdeen and Cardiff University have made the first step towards becoming a University of Sanctuary and York St Johns and Cardiff Metropolitan University are continuing their commitments by re-applying for the award. Jaw dropping fact: since the start of the year, 104 schools have signed the supporting organisation pledge!

We now have very own range of merchandise! Our t-shirts and bags are ethically and sustainably produced, made from 100% organic cotton and are printed to order so there is no waste.Every penny of profit will help us build the City of Sanctuary movement of welcome.⁣⁣P.S Our small team packs a punch, but we need your support to keep going. The very best way to support our work is by a regular monthly donation. In these strange and difficult times, a regular gift allows us to plan for the future. Thank you so much for your support.   SHOP NOW

Homes for Ukraine Scheme CoS UK guidance for hosts and upcoming events

Dear friends and colleagues across the North West,   The team at the City of Sanctuary are continuing to receive a high volume of inquiries regarding the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, and we are doing our best to keep guidance updated on our website and offer webinars that we hope will be useful to you if you are considering hosting, or simply wish to stay informed about this fast-changing situation. While we are all rightly focussing on Ukraine, please also keep in mind that the cruel Nationality and Borders Bill will be voted on today at around 4 pm at the House of Commons to decide if these appalling policies will become law. It is not too late to call on your MP to be on the side of humanity, not hostility. Please have a look at the suggestions and templates on our website for contacting your MP and making your voice heard on social media   Best wishes to you all, Maryam https://cityofsanctuary.org/2022/03/21/things-to-consider-before-applying-to-sponsor/

Currently, the need is for financial donations. Even the Polish government are asking for finances, they have enough physical items.

There are three methods of donating.

1/. AUGB has set up a GoFundMe donations link. it is

#StandWithUkraine

2/. A BACs transfer to the Bolton Branch bank account

Account name:  AUGB Bolton Branch

Sort Code: 01.01.42

Account number: 26160048

3/. Visit our Cultural Centre, address below, and leave a donation behind the bar.

All proceeds will purchase medical equipment, medical supplies, medicines and food packs. The agencies we are working with are the WHO, Red Cross Ukraine and Caritas Ukraine.

If you need any more information, please contact me.

Best regards

Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain

Bolton Ukrainian Cultural Centre

Bolton

BL2 1JPTel: 07914 021511

Email: [email protected]

FB:  Bolton Ukrainian Cultural Centre

Website: www.augb.co.uk

The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) was founded in 1946 and is a company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales, Registration Number 449616

Registered Address:

49 Linden Gardens

London

W2 4HG

Exciting News…….

Octagon Sanctuary Women’s Group

Where: Octagon Theatre Bolton BL1 1SB

Time: 11:30am – 1:00pm (Thursdays only)

The Octagon Women’s Group for asylum seekers and refugees is an opportunity to develop drama skills and make new friends in a relaxed and friendly environment. Workshops are led by an Octagon facilitator with support from volunteers from the City of Sanctuary.

‘It helps me keep my mental wellbeing healthy and active. I have found that I am not alone’   Farjana

Always a warm welcome. sandwiches and lots of laughter.

At the moment we are focusing on physical theatre and working towards a re-telling of the story of Rama and Sita.

E-mail:

[email protected] for more information

Follow us on City of Sanctuary Bolton | Facebook

Sewing Sisters

Where: St Andrew and St George BL1 2BS (next to Justicia)

Time:    Friday 2-4 pm

A quiet, friendly sewing session for women -both complete beginners and more advanced sewers.

We all help each other and it’s a relaxing, gentle way to finish the week.

Always refreshments and a warm welcome.

Follow us on City of Sanctuary Bolton | Facebook

Sanctuary Storytellers

A women’s writing group -lively, supportive, diverse and creative…. with lots of laughter!!!

Where: Bolton Central Library

Time:     Wednesday 10-12 am

Delighted to be currently working with Chris Salt.

Chris is a playwright, screenwriter, applied film and creative writing practitioner and also an associate lecturer who is very interested in community engagement projects.

He is co-founder of Edgeways Productions www.edgewaysproductions.co.uk

Also, very pleased to be working with the Woodland Trust and Anita Sethi to write a poem celebrating the river which will be displayed along with one of the paths along Walker Fold.

Tea/Coffee /Biscuits/Cake/Fruit and a very warm welcome.

Follow us on City of Sanctuary Bolton | Facebook

Our Story Tellers have restarted at the Library

Eileen, is once again, helping to facilitate the popular writing group hosted at Bolton central Library.  Its completely free, its open for all to join in and have a go at poetry, prose or even just to meet new friends and practice English.

A Creative Writing group for all poets, writers and people that enjoy writing!

We meet every Wednesday 10.00am – 12.00pm at Bolton Central  Library

Make friends and practice English!

No previous knowledge required – come and have a go!

Our Sewing Sisters group is re-starting – From the 8th October at 2.00pm at St Andrews and St Georges

Please ask at Justicia when you arrive and they will help direct you to the group.

Great news about English Classes!

We will be able to re-start our Talk English classes later this month, October 2021!

Please click on the links below for more information on how to join a Talk English class

أخبار رائعة عن دروس اللغة الإنجليزية

يرجى النقر على الروابط لمزيد من المعلومات حول تعلم اللغة الإنجليزية

General - ESOL Skills for Life Pathways to community interpreting

About The Great Get Together

“The Great Get Together is inspired by Jo Cox, who was killed on the 16th of June 2016. In her first speech in Parliament, Jo said, ”We have more in common than that which divides us”. Through the Great Get Together, we ask people across the country to embrace Jo’s words and celebrate the belief that community makes us. We ask people to connect with others and show the power we have as a community.

Jo’s family and friends first organised the Great Get Together in 2017, and since then we have seen millions of people across the country take part in thousands of events”

The Great Bolton Connect Together Picnic – 20^th June 2020

It’s been a strange few months for the Bolton Community, and for communities around the world as we’ve all had to reduce our social contact a great deal during the pandemic. As we start to come out of the lockdown and return to something like normal, we wanted to share some of the positive community ventures that took place during this time.

The Great Get Together is a national initiative that begun in 2017 as a way of honouring the memory of MP Jo Cox. The event encourages people to get together with others in their community to celebrate what we have in common.

This year, we couldn’t get together in person, but organisations across Bolton wanted to ensure we could capture the spirit of the Great Get Together. The Woodland Trust, The Octagon theatre, City of Sanctuary and Bolton Interfaith council developed The Bolton Great Connect Together Picnic. Taking place on Saturday the 20^th June, The Great Bolton Get Together Picnic was an online event which encouraged families and individuals to hold a picnic in their garden, their front room or their local park.

As a collective, we created a digital pack of resources with suggested activities provided by the various organisations to make the event as interactive as possible. We made sure the most vulnerable in our community were able to take part by providing hard copies and resources for those who might otherwise not be able to take part.

We were thrilled to see the pictures from people across Bolton joining in!

©Imogen Welch—Octagon Theatre  Bolton

Please see the link below to the full newsletter for this month…..

CoSB Newsletter July 2020

A Useful link for BAME

https://www.gmcvo.org.uk/Coronavirus/BAMEsupport

Some useful details from Healthwatch Bolton

Here is some information you may find useful if you are self-isolating or ‘shielding’ during the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. The companies below are doing home delivery services but please do check the areas where they deliver before placing any orders. We are merely sharing this informaton with you, we do not endorse nor or we advertising any of the private companies listed below. We hope you find this useful.

Food Banks:
Bolton Nice: 07900 535403
Homeless Aid UK: 07940 004449 / 07973 214603
Urban Outreach: 01204 385848

Foods: (n.b. all listed services deliver)

Greengrocers:

A Small Good Thing – 07972 287108, [email protected], https://www.asmallgoodthing.co.uk/ – Various collection points

John Bates, Bolton Market, 01204 384520 – Bolton Wide
Liptrott’s Fruit and Veg, Bolton Market, 07456 502250 – Bolton Wide
Bannisters, Bolton Market, 07459 547960 – Bolton Wide
Grundy’s Fruit and Veg, Bolton Market, 07870 648298 – Bolton Wide
Strawberry Gardens, Bolton Market, 07890 587224 – Bolton Wide
Martin R Taylor, 01942 617957, www.yourfresh.co.uk

Bettaveg, 0161 321 8244, www.bettaveghomedelivery.co.uk
MacVeg (independent hampers) 07543 585588

Oliver Turner, Access To Veg, 07527 018989 – Bolton Wide
Spread Eagle, Eagley, 01204 227734 – BL7
Cross Guns, Egerton, 01204 291204 – BL7
Morrison’s Food Boxes: https://www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/ – National
Oliver Kay Produce, 0844 847 9790, Produce House, Britannia Way, BL2 – National

Milk, Dairy & Eggs:

John Lowe, Milkman: 07791 393455. Holts Farm, Bromley Cross – BL7

Smithills Open Farm Dairy: 07885 764381 https://www.smithillsopenfarm.co.uk/milk-deliveries/ – BL1

Gareth, CSB Dairies, 07841 642073 – BL3

Mike, Henson’s Dairies, 079575 74460 – Farnworth and Kearsley

Meats:

PS Wholesale Meats, Astley Bridge, 01204 597453 – Bolton Wide
Zane, Walshes, Bolton Market, 07596 565400 – Bolton Wide
Karl’s, Bolton Market, 01204 520980 – Bolton Wide
Unsworth’s Deli Goods (also sells cheese), Bolton Market:
01942 269541 / 07702 515792 / 07809 336559 – Bolton Wide
Salmon King, Bolton Market, 07581 185232 – Bolton Wide
D Hamer, Bolton Market, 07526 590293 – Bolton Wide

Stanley Gittins, The Quality Stall, Bolton Market, 07849 293550 – Bolton Wide

Choice Cuts Meat, Bolton Market:
07788 457551 / 07787 833489 / 01204 559549 – Bolton Wide
TPB Foods, Tonge Bridge, 01204 528357 – Bolton Wide
Fraser’s, 272 Rishton Lane, Great Lever, 01204 523278 – BL3
[email protected] contactless drive by, collection, delivery for shielding group.
Spread Eagle, Eagley, 01204 227734 – BL7
Cross Guns, Egerton, 01204 291204 – BL7

Fishmongers:
Jessica Kay, MPJ, Bolton Market, 0754 3585588 – Bolton Wide
Salmon King, Bolton Market, 07581 185232 – Bolton Wide
D Hamer, Bolton Market, 07526 590293 – Bolton Wide

Groceries including household cleaning and toiletries

A Small Good Thing – 07972 287108, [email protected], https://www.asmallgoodthing.co.uk/ – Various collection points

Fresh bread:

Pretzel and Spelt, Crompton Way – 07401 131522

Greenhalgh’s Craft Bakery, 01204 696204, www.greenhalghs.com/ – Bolton Wide

Local Breweries:

Northern Monkey Brew Co: Nelson Square, Bolton, 07737 125629
Twitter: @NMonkeyBrewCo

Pet Supplies:

Lee Lane Pets, 135-137 Lee Lane, Horwich, BL6. 01204 692938

Allbreeds Pet Supplies, 444 Tonge Moor Rd, Bolton, BL2. 01204 307170

Useful Numbers:
Bolton Council “Shielding Group” helpline: 01204 337221
Childline: 0800 1111
Domestic Violence Hotline: 0808 2000 247
National Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Endeavour Project (Abuse/Domestic Violence): 01204 394842
Samaritans: 116 123
Bolton Carers Support: 01204 363056
Bolton At Home: 01204 328000
MIND: 0300 123 3393
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH, for existing users and carers)
Age UK: 0800 169 6565

Announcement

In order to comply with the government guidelines we have currently suspended all activities -theses include all the planned activities and the groups that we help to run:

• Talk English
• Ladies Drama
• Sanctuary Story Tellers
• Sewing Sisters

These will remain suspended until further notice – We will update his as we can.

We are also postponing our AGM until we can set a new date – this as originally planned for the 2nd April.

The calendar section of this website has been removed to avoid any conflicting information – this will be re-instated once we get more news.

We have set up a City of Sanctuary Bolton WhatsApp group so that we can still stay in touch and share experiences and news – please share this link and please do join us. (You may have to copy and paste the link in your phone browser)

Please see below the March Newsletter

Newsletter March 2020

City of Sanctuary is a national movement committed to building a culture of hospitality and welcome, especially for refugees seeking sanctuary from war and persecution. City of Sanctuary’s network of local groups includes over 50 towns and cities across the UK and Ireland, all working to build to building this culture of welcome across every sphere of society.

For many years Bolton 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 town.
City of Sanctuary supporters in Bolton so far include Bolton at Home, the Octagon Theatre, Bolton Council of Mosques, Bolton Hindu Forum, Bolton Wanderers Community Trust, Bolton CVS, Urban Outreach, British Red Cross, BRASS, the Destitution Project, Bolton Parish Church and a range of churches and community groups. Supporting organisations promise to welcome and include people seeking sanctuary in their activities.
The group would like more local organisations and individuals to help in making Bolton proud to be a place of safety. It is planning to organise talks and events to bring Bolton people together, to fund raise and recruit volunteers