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Welcome to Bradford City of Sanctuary

Our mission is simple: we want to build a culture of welcome and inclusion for people seeking sanctuary in our city.

We believe in a city where people seeking sanctuary are welcomed, included and recognised for the valuable contribution they make, and are able to participate fully in our community.

Bradford City of Sanctuary is proud to be part of a rapidly growing national movement of over 100 sanctuary groups in the UK. Bradford joined the network in 2010, becoming one of the first ever places in the UK to be recognised as a City of Sanctuary.

Our work is informed by our Advisory Group of people with lived experience of the refugee journey. We work through partnerships with statutory, voluntary, business and community groups to create and support communities of welcome across the city.

We are funded by a handful of trusts and a generous body of donors.

Blog

  • Reclaiming the Narrative: The Power of Storytelling
    In February, Bradford City of Sanctuary, Race Equality Network and Bradford Storyhub collaborated to deliver a storytelling workshop for migrants and people seeking sanctuary in Bradford. We decided on the theme of ‘reclaiming the narrative’. With false and dangerous stereotypes about people… Read more: Reclaiming the Narrative: The Power of Storytelling
  • Christmas in Calais
    Our Director Tina reflects on spending Christmas volunteering with people seeking sanctuary in Northern France. I returned to volunteer in Calais for two weeks over Christmas and New Year with Refugee Community Kitchen, spending long, busy days washing, chopping, slicing, peeling, preparing… Read more: Christmas in Calais
  • Welcome Changes Everything
    Our colleagues at City of Sanctuary UK have produced this stunning video about the power of welcome. Arriving in the UK can be an isolating experience for people seeking sanctuary. Simple acts of welcome such as an opened door, a smile, or… Read more: Welcome Changes Everything
  • Our 2025 Impact Report
    A Big Thank You to All of Our Supporters in 2025 The team at Bradford City of Sanctuary wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us in 2025. Donors, friends, colleagues in the sector, and everyone else… Read more: Our 2025 Impact Report

Resources

New to Bradford? Find the information you need to make a confident start in the city.

We are part of the Together with Refugees Coalition

This excellent video explains Bradford’s history of peace activism and the range of projects and organisations that seek to support sanctuary seekers.