Where can I find more information?
• Check UNHCR for facts about refugees and people seeking asylum in the UK
• What you know about patience? Find out about the complexities and challenges facing young people seeking asylum in the UK, in this animation inspired by their experiences.
What more can I do?
• Share what you have learnt with friends and family
• Challenge incorrect information that you hear about refugees and people seeking asylum
• Follow a local refugee support group in Cheltenham (such as CWR!) and Gloucester
• Celebrate Refugee Week - Refugee Week is the UK’s largest festival celebrating the contribution of refugees and promoting understanding of why people seek sanctuary.
From campaigning to volunteering, here are some specific ways you can show your support.
Ask your MP to improve the asylum seeking process - Refugee Action
Join the Lift the Ban campaign - Add your voice to the campaign for asylum seekers to be given the right to work and study.
Join the campaign to Let Refugees Learn - Ensure that refugees get timely access to English classes and the support they need to attend them.
Join the Families Together campaign - Take a stand against rules that prevent refugee families being reunited in the UK.
End the detention of women seeking asylum - Women for Refugee Women campaigns on behalf of all women who cross borders seeking safety.
Call for #Safety for Everyone - Sign Refugee Council’s petition calling on the Home Secretary to protect people seeking asylum during the pandemic
Join a Stream of Sanctuary group - Embed welcome in your arts organisation, health or maternity setting, school or university.
Get Creative
Contact Platforma Arts and Refugees Network for guidance about starting or joining an arts project about migration
Going Deeper
Here are some resources for reflection on important questions about representation, power and inclusion.
Platforma Manifesto: A guide to good practice for the arts, refugees & migration, Platforma Arts and Refugees Network (Counterpoints Arts)
Sanctuary in the Arts Resource Pack: City of Sanctuary Round up of workshops at Refugee Week Conferences 2020
Owning Power and Privilege, Quakers
How to Have Difficult Conversations, Hope Not Hate
Key themes from the 2020 Refugee Solidarity Summit in London
USEFUL LINKS
Myth Busters, City of Sanctuary