In recent months, a network of community organisations, church groups, and individuals have been exploring the possibility of Leeds signing up to the national City of Sanctuary movement and Harmonious Communities has been taking part in these discussions.
Nationally, City of Sanctuary is the network of towns and cities that have declared themselves to be “sanctuaries” for people seeking safety, fleeing persecution, war or trauma. Leeds has a very strong network of organisation and groups that already provide support and friendship to people who most need it, but we have not yet officially been recognised as a City of Sanctuary.
On 11th November 2010, Leeds City of Sanctuary was launched, with the aim of getting a large number of individuals, groups and organisations to sign up to the principle of City of Sanctuary in Leeds and pledge their support to it.
Together, we think that in Leeds we are proud to extend the welcome of our city to people who come here seeking safety and we are committed to making our city a haven for anyone who needs its protection. With City of Sanctuary, we want to create a network of people and organisations right across the city, united in making our city more welcoming, open and fair for all.
We invite you and your organisation – your school, faith group, business, charity – to sign our Promise of Support and get involved in whatever way suits you. Whether you want to display a sign, join a befriending scheme, or just smile at people you don’t know, there’s something everyone can do to help make Leeds more open and fair.
If you want to know more about City of Sanctuary here in Leeds, visit the website at: www.cityofsanctuary.org/leeds
Or use your social networking sites to keep in touch as the movement develops:
