We’re pleased to have excellent working relationships across Bradford. Don’t just take our word for it, have a read below to see what others are saying about us:

‘Aside from the excellent frontline support work they provide, Bradford City of Sanctuary are  tireless political campaigners, working across the city’s public, private and third sectors to advocate for people getting the help they need. Their approach, knowledge and generosity have been a touchstone for my organisation, and they have proved to be an inspiration to me and everyone else in the sector more times than I care to count.’           Ben McKenna, Solidaritech

‘City of Sanctuary are an incredibly important resource for services, statutory and non statutory, working with asylum seekers and refugees in Bradford. I have personally referred to their excellent Mental Health information resource and given it to many students to read to help develop their awareness of many of the issues that asylum seekers and refugees face that many people, even health professionals, are not aware of. Their online resources are vital and provide very important information about how to access different support such as healthcare, housing etc. I cannot praise their work enough’  Nikki Harvey, Mental Health Practicioner, BEVAN

‘City of Sanctuary is a crucial information and advice resource for organisations working with refugees and asylum seekers. They have time and again provided us with information and various opportunities that enhance our ability to improve the services that we offer to our service users and also brought to our attention the opportunities and new information that impact our service users. We are so grateful for their presence and openness to supporting organisations in a non-biased way.’          Juliet Adoch, Millside Centre

‘City of Sanctuary Bradford do amazing work on a shoestring. They are actively involved in both multi agency district meetings and local and regional groups that affect sanctuary seekers. They often offer both representation for and amplification of the voice of sanctuary seekers within the district. They strive to connect and support capacity building for the sector within the Bradford District and they have been instrumental in the creation/maintenance of the content on the Welcome to Bradford Website, which is a tool that supports new arrivals to the city. City of Sanctuary Bradford have also supported and guided the work being undertaken by the Council as a Local Authority of Sanctuary, helping to connect organisations within the sector to the local authority as well as highlighting organisations that are in need of additional capacity building support. They really are a wonderful asset to the sector and to the Bradford District.’         Izzy Nicholson, Partnership & Engagement Officer, Bradford Council

‘I have the very good fortune to work alongside Bradford City of Sanctuary in delivering our pledge as Bradford Libraries of Sanctuary. Bradford City of Sanctuary are highly supportive partners and mentors – their creative and engaging approach is inspirational for Bradford Libraries continuing efforts to learn, embed and share the message of Welcome for all new arrivals across our District. Though a small team, Bradford City of Sanctuary play a pivotal role in the network of agencies supporting sanctuary seekers. The team is a real pleasure to work with and the lives of new arrivals and established communities across Bradford are clearly enriched through their efforts.’ Nigel Pick, Access and Inclusion Officer, Bradford Libraries

‘The City of Sanctuary initiative in Bradford has had a significant and positive impact on the community, particularly in creating a welcoming environment for refugees, asylum seekers, and other vulnerable groups. As an inclusion healthcare provider, working with Bradford City of Sanctuary means that we have a committed partner supporting us to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for individuals seeking refuge.   Working together we are able to improve access to care; as CofS often help coordinate services for individuals who may otherwise face systemic barriers, such as language, legal status, or financial limitations. City of Sanctuary expertly connect and support capacity building for the sector in Bradford. In Bradford, the City of Sanctuary initiative continues to build a compassionate community, demonstrating the power of collective action in supporting those seeking safety and belonging. Its impact is felt across social, cultural, and economic dimensions, making it a cornerstone of Bradford’s identity.’ Sadhana Patel, Manager, Bevan

‘Working with BCoS has been a truly amazing experience, their commitment to making the city of Bradford a safe, welcoming and inclusive city for sanctuary seekers is inspirational. As well as providing frontline support work, Bradford City of Sanctuary are great political campaigners and advocate for the marginalised communities in Bradford. I have learnt a lot from the team throughout my time working with Bradford City of Sanctuary, they have important connections with stakeholders and civil society organisations. They are an important asset for the community!’ Fatima Mahmood, Projects and Communications Officer, Race Equality Network

‘Bradford City of Sanctuary is a door’

‘City of Sanctuary brings people together to smooth the refugee and asylum seeker journeys’

‘A place that cares’ Members of our lived experience Advisory Group

It is so lovely to hear and see how good EAL provisions some of the schools have…You (BSCoS) have been instrumental in getting schools and other organisations together and keeping us up to date with any latest developments.  We can all learn something new and make changes. Thank you. Marketa, NTE lead at Carlton Bolling.

Bradford Schools and Colleges of Sanctuary (BSCoS) have enabled us to secure good practices to support our families through comprehensive networking meetings and training…We have been signposted to organisations whose training and guidance has been excellent. We have been able to learn about the good practices of others and secure it within our own schools. Through BSCoS, we have also been put in touch with and offered a free counselling service with SOLACE , who are now working with individual children and families who have asylum seeker or refugee status and are working through trauma. Kate works hard to ensure she links us to other organisations which will promote both opportunities for us and help. She tirelessly seeks and then promotes resources that would be beneficial to us and leads the ever-growing network of schools. In a very short time, I have become very passionate about the cause and the work this organisation does within Bradford…they are a well-established and worthy organisation who seek to improve the lives of children within our schools.  Leah Borcherds: Year 6 Teacher, RE & School of Sanctuary Lead, St Stephen’s CE Primary School

Thanks for all your support – we’re thrilled to be receiving accreditation. Your guidance and help has been invaluable.

Liam Brearley, Attendance Lead, Atlas Community School

When we told the whole school that we had been awarded School of Sanctuary status, the children gave the hugest cheer! I qualified 40 years ago and this has been one of the highlights of my teaching career. Kathrine Nutting, Deputy Head at Hoyle Court Primary

We are very proud to have been allocated the Schools of Sanctuary Award last week following on from our audit. When rhetoric around migration and forced displacement becomes polarised and inflamed, it is important to remember that children have no choice in the matter. They should receive solace, not rejection in their time of need. Marginalisation of children has huge long-term costs which are paid by the individual and society as a whole. Sam Sheedy, Principal at Hanson Academy