Already in my diary
Already in my diary
Really positive to see Salford putting real action behind its City of Sanctuary commitment with a new Hate Crime Reporting Ambassadors scheme helping victims of hate crime feel safer and more confident to come forward @cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social
@cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social @citywestminster.bsky.social
Great to see Westminster Council standing their ground and setting out a clear, coherent strategy to support new arrivals as they move toward becoming a Council of Sanctuary.
Real leadership means combining compassion with practical action to create support that is sustainable and dignified.
I can only speak for SODC but the council is always happy to interact with residents but there is limited capacity to do so across all social media channels. Emailing, engaging with district councillors, cabinet members, joining and speaking at public meetings are good ways to hold us accountable.
Vale of White Horse X account
South Oxfordshire X account
Two more councils have withdrawn from X (Twitter). South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse said that the platform had become βprogressively ineffective at communicating with local communities, but recent events have caused the councils to take things a step furtherβ.
Screenshot from O.M.A.'s newsletter showing the numbers of food parcels delivered (10951), households supported (783), equating to 2406 unique people, which is 1.5% of the city's population. 885 of this are under 12s
Screenshot from O.M.A. newsletter - over 150 drivers and bikers made over 1000 delivery trips, more than 500 volunteers spent over 4500 hours packing parcels
Oxford Mutual Aid (O.M.A.) have tallied up their 2025 in their latest newsletter: With the help of more than 500 volunteers, they packed and delivered more than 10,000 food parcels in Oxford last year. An eye-opening 885 of their more than food parcel recipients were children under 12.
Has there ever been any poll showing the public this united? yougov.co.uk/technology/a...
Please consider supporting refugee charities like City of Sanctuary which have had one of their toughest years to date.
Cruelty isnβt a solution - and itβs not a distraction we should fall for.
The real issues we face - fixing the NHS, building affordable housing, reducing wealth inequality - are not solved by making life harder for people seeking safety.
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Shabana Mahmood on the BBC this morning talking about desperate people fleeing war and persecution as being given a "golden ticket" and "handouts" and saying she's got a "moral mission" to take them away from them
Indistinguishable from the rhetoric of Reform www.adambienkov.co.uk/p/shabana-ma...
Swansea Council reaffirms City of Sanctuary status in social cohesionΒ vote
Councillors in Swansea have voted overwhelmingly to back a motion on social cohesion, reaffirming the cityβs status as a City of Sanctuary and rejecting misinformation linked to Seaview School.
Important, timely, analysis by @lgilbert.co debunking the commonly used line that "migrants are a burden". Shows that migrants are overwhelmingly bet fiscal contributors. Basically, you target migration, you crash the country.
Interesting analysis. In Oxford a local roundabout was flagged by a team of men from Liverpool....
Youβve got Β£9.95 to last you the whole weekβ¦ whatβs your plan?
This impossible choice is played out in asylum hotels. Whilst people await a decision on their claim, they are banned from working & receive just Β£9.95 for clothes, travel, data & more.
This is not luxury. This is a hellish limbo.
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Word ππ€£
So great to meet with the London Borough of Sanctuary leads. @cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social
@cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social
Council Agree to Join City of Sanctuary Network #Newry
Council Agree to Join City of Sanctuary Network #Newry https://www.newry.ie/articles/news/council-agree-to-join-city-of-sanctuary-network
"Newry councillors approve City of Sanctuary plans despite street protests"
Post from P&K Council on Facebook, 22nd August 2025, 1/2: Perth and Kinross Council leaders issue joint statement reaffirming commitment as Council of Sanctuary βAs the political leaders of Perth and Kinross Council we stand united in reaffirming our status as a Council of Sanctuary. Something which builds on the long tradition of our communities welcoming people seeking safety. βFor generations the people of Perth and Kinross have willingly opened their doors to those forced to flee conflict and persecution β from Belgian refugees during the First World War, to those who helped British Armed Forces in Afghanistan and more recently welcoming refugees from Ukraine following Russiaβs illegal invasion. This is part of our history and who we are.
Post from P&K Council on Facebook, 22nd August 2025, 2/2: βWe defend the right to peaceful protest, but protests targeted at those who in many cases have lost their homes and family members to war, does not reflect the compassion, solidarity and fairness our communities are known for. That is why we are asking all residents to look beyond the misleading headlines and misinformation and treat those seeking refuge in our area the same way they would hope to be treated.β Joint statement issued on behalf of: Councillor Grant Laing, Leader of Perth and Kinross Council and SNP Group Leader Provost Xander McDade, Provost of Perth and Kinross, Independent Councillor John Duff, Conservative Group Leader Councillor Peter Barrett, Liberal Democrats Group Leader Bailie Alasdair Bailey, Labour Group Leader
Post from P&K Council on Facebook, 22nd August 2025, 1/2: Joint statement issued by Councillors who are members of the Perth and Kinross Community Justice and Safety Partnership βCouncillors who are members of the Perth and Kinross Community Justice and Safety Partnership reject insinuations that the accommodation of asylum seekers in Perth City hotels, is putting Community Safety at a higher degree of risk. "There is no evidence that those seeking asylum, who are accommodated in Perth are, or have been, a higher risk to Community Safety in Perth and Kinross. "Those who are protesting against the accommodation of asylum seekers in Perth under the guise of public safety or protection, do so with no local factual evidence. Instead, the use of mis-information and mis-direction risks achieving the exact opposite, creating heightened tensions and concerns.
Post from P&K Council on Facebook, 22nd August 2025, 2/2: "This only serves to undermine Community Safety, not improve it. "Perth and Kinross Council together with other partners in the Community Justice and Safety Partnership work across services and communities to identify and address Community Safety concerns and issues as they arise and work with communities to reach resolution. To date, there have been no such issues in relation to asylum seekers who are accommodated in Perth. "While we uphold the right to peaceful protest, we condemn the use of mis-information and mis-direction to undermine public confidence in Community Safety." Joint statement issued on behalf of: Councillor Peter Barrett Councillor Sheila McCole Bailie Mike Williamson
Bravo to Perth & Kinross Council for issuing two strong statements today, ahead of a planned far-right "protest" against asylum seekers in the Radisson Hotel (formerly Station Hotel) in Perth tomorrow, Saturday 23rd.
Counter protest is gathering at 10am, FB link for more info in next post.
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Really proud of Newry! They stood their ground despite huge pressure from the far right
At the Greenwich Overview & Scrutiny Panel we had the privilege of sharing why it matters so deeply for us that Greenwich is a Borough of Sanctuary.
We spoke about what sanctuary means for us at Creating Ground, and for us personally as residents and migrant women who call this borough home. π±β¨
Hackney is committed to being a Borough of Sanctuary π
Great visit to Goring on Thames yesterday by @freddievanmierlomp.bsky.social and @maggieflpv.bsky.social to look at the issue of a car-free cycle route between Goring and Wallingford. Currently the trail is interrupted by some stiles. @cyclinguk.bsky.social
No other party says the basic truth: migration is good for Britain.
The real problem? Inequality, soaring bills, underfunded public services.
Thatβs driven by the greed of the super rich and the Labour government who serve them - not by migrants.
Southampton: A City of Sanctuary where everyone is welcome.
Read the latest Leader's Corner from Councillor Lorna Fielker, Leader of Southampton City Council. soton.cc/CityofSanctuary
@cityofsanctuaryuk.bsky.social
New life for refugees helped by Borough of Sanctuary Fund
https://www.allforgardening.com/1335682/new-life-for-refugees-helped-by-borough-of-sanctuary-fund/
A life-changing community project is helping refugees in Wandsworth make a difference with the support of the councilβs Borough of β¦