Leicester City of Sanctuary
...working to create a climate of welcome for asylum seekers and refugees in our city and county...
What is Leicester City of Sanctuary?
City of Sanctuary is a national charity which tries to build a 'culture of hospitality' for people seeking sanctuary in the UK. The aim is to create a network of places throughout the country which do their best to include asylum seekers and refugees in the lives of their communities. City of Sanctuary was founded in Sheffield in 2005 and the Leicester branch (registered charity no 1138017) was established two years later.
Asylum seekers get a very bad press.
Many people do not know the difference between asylum seekers, economic migrants and illegal immigrants. In fact, people seek asylum because they have suffered persecution at home - imprisonment, torture, death threats - simply for supporting the 'wrong' political party or speaking out against corruption, for being gay or marrying the 'wrong' person, for belonging to the 'wrong' ethnic group or practising the 'wrong' religion. These are things we simply cannot imagine in this oh-so-safe country of ours so many people disbelieve them.
On arrival asylum seekers have to report to the UK Border Agency. They are finger printed and issued with an identity card. They have to report back at regular intervals like common criminals. They are not allowed to work and receive minimal benefits which are not always paid in cash. They have to live in the accommodation provided for them (not council houses), they have no choice about where it is and they can be - and often are - moved to a different part of the country at 48 hours notice.
Only 17% of asylum claims are accepted at the first hearing and less than half are accepted on appeal. Far from being a 'soft touch,' the UK takes less than 3% of the world's asylum seekers. Just 10,000 people, nationwide, are granted leave to remain each year. It can take ten years or more to be granted permission to stay in the UK.
What does City of Sanctuary do?
• Gives talks and presentations to tell people what it is really like to be an asylum seeker
• Runs a drop-in centre
• Runs Arts, crafts, computers and other courses
• Arranges outings and social activities
• Helps people learn English
• Organises a 'hosting' scheme
• Runs NEST (the New Evidence Search Team) which helps asylum seekers find evidence to support their claims and understand the mountains of paperwork they are faced with
• Maintains a small 'Hardship Fund' to help people in crisis
• Helps people find items they need that they cannot afford to buy.
What can I do to help?
Fundraise:
One of the most fun and effective ways to support us is by raising money, money that will help us continue our work with refugees and asylum seekers in Leicester. There are many ways to fundraise for us, from sponsored sport events to dinner parties. If you are keen to fundraise for us or have any fundraising ideas, then we'd love to hear from you! See contact details below.
Volunteer:
We welcome volunteers willing to improve the lives of refugees and asylum seekers. If you would like to volunteer then please visit the Volunteer and Vacancies section of our website to find out more about the types of volunteer positions available.
Invite a Speaker:
Contact us to invite one of our speakers to talk to your school.
Pledge your support:
Visit the Pledge your support section of our website and complete the form to show your support for the work that we do.
email: leicestercityofsanctuary.org
phone: 0116 251 9068 (Tomorrow Together) and you will be put in touch with the appropriate person.
write to:
Leicester City of Sanctuary
c/o Tomorrow Together
St Martin's House
7 Peacock Lane
Leicester
LE1 5PZ
website: www.cityofsanctuary.org/leicester