About Us
Who We Are
Stockport City of Sanctuary is a locally organised network working to make Stockport a welcoming and inclusive place for refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
We are part of the national City of Sanctuary UK movement,which brings together communities across the country committed to creating cultures of welcome, safety, and inclusion for people forced to flee their homes.
Our work brings together community organisations, charities, schools, faith groups, businesses, volunteers, and public partners to strengthen welcome across the borough.
By working collaboratively and placing lived experience at the heart of our approach, we aim to help ensure that people seeking sanctuary are welcomed as valued members of the community.
Our Vision
A welcoming Stockport where people seeking sanctuary belong, and where every act of welcome is valued and celebrated.
Our Values
Our work is guided by the following values:
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to ensure that refugees and people seeking sanctuary are welcomed as equal members of the community and that individuals and organisations who stand in solidarity with them are recognised, supported, and celebrated.
We also aim to encourage organisations across Stockport to adopt the principles of the City of Sanctuary movement and contribute to building a culture of welcome across the borough.
What We Do
Our work is guided by our 2024-2027 Action Plan, which focuses on strengthening governance, building partnerships, promoting inclusion, and raising awareness across Stockport.
Our key priorities include:
Governance and Coordination
We are strengthening the structures, policies, and partnerships needed to support a sustainable and accountable local City of Sanctuary network.
Awareness and Public Engagement
We promote understanding about migration, asylum, and sanctuary through community conversations, events, storytelling, and awareness initiatives that challenge myths and misinformation.
Welcome and Support
We work in partnership with community organisations that provide practical support to people seeking sanctuary, including community activities, language learning opportunities, wellbeing support, and signposting to services.
Partnerships and Collaboration
We bring together organisations across the voluntary, community, faith, and statutory sectors to coordinate activities and strengthen support for refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
Co-Production and Lived Experience
We are committed to ensuring that people with lived experience of seeking sanctuary are meaningfully involved in shaping our work, decision-making, and future priorities.
Sanctuary Awards
We promote the City of Sanctuary Awards programme, recognising organisations that demonstrate a strong commitment to welcoming refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
Why This Work Matters
People seeking sanctuary often arrive in the UK after experiencing conflict, persecution, and loss.
While they bring resilience, skills, and rich cultural contributions, they may also face challenges including language barriers, social isolation, and misunderstanding.
Local communities play a vital role in helping people rebuild their lives.
By working together to create welcoming environments, we can help ensure that people seeking sanctuary feel safe, valued, and able to participate fully in the life of the community.
Our Approach
Stockport City of Sanctuary acts as a platform for collaboration, bringing together organisations and individuals committed to building a culture of welcome.
We aim to:
• promote inclusion and belonging
• support community-led initiatives
• encourage organisations to become recognised Places of Sanctuary
• amplify the voices of people with lived experience
• strengthen partnerships across the borough
Join Us
We invite individuals, organisations, schools, faith groups, businesses, and community organisations to join us in building a welcoming Stockport.
Together, we can help create a community where people seeking sanctuary are supported, valued, and able to belong.
Contact us