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News, events, actions & opportunities.

News, events, actions & opportunities.

Dear friends,
This month our fears about “offshoring” became a reality – and the plans are far worse than we thought. Together we will fight this brutal plan. Read our full statement on the Rwanda scheme here.After a year of campaigning, the Nationality and Borders bill is now entering its final stages. We need to keep up the pressure. Whatever the result, we should all feel incredibly proud of the devoted, creative and empowering work we have all done to lobby MPs, promote a more compassionate politics and build this movement of welcome. The work you all do has never before been so important.

Please continue to share updates on your work and good news stories so we can celebrate your achievements with the wider network. Stay in touch by emailing [email protected]

Please help spread the word, share this newsletter round-up with your friends, supporters and networks.
News from around our networks
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.
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Campaigns and actions
Nationality and Borders Bill final days ahead
The fight is not over. The Together With Refugees coalition will continue to sustain the pressure as the bill goes back to the Lords this week for the final stages of ‘ping-pong’ between the Commons before the end on the year’s parliamentary session at the start of May when all bills must be completed. In the meantime, share this video of last week’s incredible boat stunt to keep the pressure up on MPs, and tag your local MP.Offshore Detention
Sign the Detention Action letter calling on the government to abandon their offshore detention plans.

Pushbacks
HUGE congratulations to Channel Rescue, Freedom From Torture, Care4Calais and PCS Union. They took the government to court on their plans to pushback refugee boats across the Channel, and they won!
Events, resources and opportunities
Free 20GB SIM cards!
We have 200 x Pay as You Go SIMs that will each come with 20GB data each month plus unlimited calls and texts for a period of six months. Huge thanks to Vodafone’s
charities.connected initiative for this. We will provide these to groups within our networks to distribute to people seeking sanctuary. Please email [email protected]

Webinar: School as a Place of Healing

Join us on May 12th at 4pm for this event aimed at school staff and teachers on how best to support the wellbeing of students from a sanctuary seeking background. Hosted by Refugee Week and produced in partnership with Schools of Sanctuary. Register now.

Webinar: Climate Change & Seeking Sanctuary
Held onWednesday 27th at 5pm, this event is for people with lived experience of seeking sanctuary who have an interest in the natural environment. This informal friendly session is the first stage of an exciting new project with Climate and Migration Coalition. Sign up now.

Webinar: Homes for Ukraine Scheme Q&A
Do you have questions about the Homes for Ukraine scheme? Join us on April 28th for an informal Q&A session where we will try and answer your questions! Sign up here.

Webinar: Scholarships networking event for universities
Join STAR and Universities of Sanctuary on 11 May 10am for a session for university staff involved in administering scholarships for refugee and asylum-seeking students. An informal opportunity to connect with other institutions, ask questions, and share best practice. Sign up here.

Webinar: Hosting in Rural Locations
This session on May 5th at 1pm is open to everybody and will review considerations and practical tips for rural/semi-rural communities and hosts welcoming Ukrainian and other refugees into their area. Sign up here.

Webinar: Welcome to City of Sanctuary
Join us on May 17th 1pm for an introduction to City of Sanctuary, our networks, partnerships and work. This session is designed for new and emerging groups and people wanting to become involved. Sign up here.

New Sanctuary Scholarships
Solent University are offering one scholarship to a student from a sanctuary seeking background studying on a three-year undergraduate programme. Applications close June 17th.

Aberystwyth University are offering 1 undergraduate and 1 postgraduate scholarship to students from a sanctuary-seeking background. Applications close June 30th.

Open University are offering 12 scholarships to undergraduate students from a sanctuary seeking background. Find out more here.

Submissions open for Other Side of Hope magazine
This is the UK’s only refugee and migrant led literature magazine. They are open for submissions for poetry, prose, essays and artworks. Everything published is paid for. Find out more here.

Digital skills career training: London Programme
This free programme is aimed at providing motivated newcomers living in South London (Lewisham, Lambeth, Wandsworth, or Southwark) with in-demand digital skills, helping them find full-time roles and apprenticeships in the digital sector. Find out more and apply.

Training: University Staff
We have compiled a useful toolkit of training resources for university and Higher Education staff looking to welcome and empower students from a sanctuary seeking background.

Training: Trauma informed practice in humanitarian crisis
Thrive LDN is partnering with Nicola Lester Psychological Trauma Consultancy to deliver training in trauma informed practice in humanitarian crisis. Find out more and sign up here.

Oxford University Maths Sessions
Oxford University Maths department are offering information and connection sessions for people seeking sanctuary with a background in Maths or related area. Find out more and apply.
Job opportunities