Dear supporters of Birmingham City of Sanctuary,
As we read news reports about the shocking situation in the UK’s asylum system, it’s good to know that every individual can help to create a more hospitable society – and one way is by becoming a befriender for Restore, an organisation we’re sure many of you already know. Attached is information about their next set of training courses – they would love to welcome you!
Refugee Week will be here in a few weeks’ time, and we hope we’ll see you on Saturday 24th June, from 11:00am – 2:00pm at Birmingham’s Get-Together for Compassion in Victoria Square. There will be a stage with live performances of music, song and dance from Celebrating Sanctuary, and other artists representing Birmingham’s rich cultural diversity. We will be celebrating Refugee Week, and raising awareness about asylum and refugee issues to passer-by new audiences.. Birmingham CIty of Sanctuary will be present as will other organisations who are part of the network across the city.
If you have come to Birmingham from elsewhere, or if you have contact with people who fit this description, please let them know about an event being organised by Birmingham City Council’s MILE project on Monday 19th June to explore the theme of Compassion in Action. The event will begin with a tour of the Birmingham Council House, followed by activities and refreshments at the offices of ACH which provides support to refugees and migrant. The event will start at 10:30am outside the Council House, and end at approximately 2pm at ACH on Cobalt Square. The event is open to all sanctuary seekers and migrants who have come to live in Birmingham from outside of the UK. Places are limited.those who are interested should contact dawn.x.murray@birmingham.gov.uk.as soon as possible.
Other events for Refugee Week include:
Friday 16th June
Oikos Cafe: Erdington Arts Forum: Evening Of Creativity 6:30- 9pm Poetry + Arts
Saturday 17th June
MAC Family Day & Launch event: Outdoor Arena & Hexagon 1-5.30pm
Music, community performances, stalls
Tuesday 20th June
B:Music Schools Day – Symphony Hall
Performances, music workshops, spoken word, presentations and awareness raising workshops
Saturday 24th June Refugee Week Takeover event – Symphony Hall
Jennifer Blackwell Space – 2.15 – 5pm Live music – Stall
In other news, Aston Univerisity has celebrated its Sanctuary Award, and two further schools have been awarded (St Mark’s Primary in Great Barr and St John Wall Secondary in Handsworth). One of our primary schools, St Ambrose Barlow in Hall Green, worked hard on the Lift The Ban campaign by visiting local businesses and shops to enngage their support (you may have seen this if you follow us on twitter @BrumSchOfSanc) and St Mark’s Primary also received a warm and supportive letter from their MP Khalid Mahmood with whom they had shared Mothers’ Day cards in support of the Families Together campaign.
Looking forward to seeing you during Refugee Week!
With thanks for your continuing support,
Barbara Forbes
Secretary, Birmingham City of Sanctuary .
