Swindon City of Sanctuary is part of a wider movement that fosters a culture of welcome, inclusion and support for everyone in Swindon, with a focus on those seeking sanctuary.
Why the community needs usSwindon City of Sanctuary helps break down barriers to social isolation and financial exclusion that can mean, all too often, refugees and asylum seekers end up stigmatised and alone. Whether it's campaigning for better conditions for asylum seekers, raising awareness of the harsh realities of the asylum process or seeking to end destitution, we strive to make Swindon a more welcoming place for some of its newest arrivals, and in turn make Swindon a better place for all.
Our impact on the communityTo date, we have engaged over 200 sanctuary seekers, as well as 12 regular volunteers. Whether it's preventing homelessness, enabling a refugee to fulfil their dream of running a pop-up cafe, providing something as simple as a bus pass, or supporting educators in teaching about the asylum process, we know that our connected approach makes a difference. As one new refugee said: "Thank you so much for the comprehensive and well-thought out support."
We're looking for wonderful people to help us build a culture of welcome and inclusion. Most of our volunteering opportunities are outside office hours. If you can offer a friendly face to someone new in Swindon, please get in touch.
