Red Cross publishes findings on destitution for asylum seekers and refugees

A thorough review of the current situation with recommendations to the City Council.

Derby Refugee Week brochure now available!!

We love #Refugee Week and we love all the upcoming events organised across the City of Sanctuary network. Check out our fab brochure from #Derby with 21 events to enjoy. Explore the brochure with this link

Refugee Week 17-23 June 2019 “You, me and those who came before”

Refugee Week 17-23 June 2019 “You, me and those who came before”

Refugee Week programme for 2019 is here!

… and its a corker this year. There are 27 events for you to enjoy and join in with – here are some of them. Full brochure to follow shortly.

There’s a party in Derby Theatre – and you’re invited!

“Far from the Home I love” a powerful and beautiful concert in Derby with Margaret Fingerhut

A huge thank to Margaret Fingerhut for a truly wonderful and inspiring evening that she gave to a full audience at Derby Cathedral on Friday March 15th . Her music and words conveyed so much and made so many connections for so many people. There have been many many positive comments from a warm and appreciative Derby audience – wonderful, outstanding, moving, informative, amazing, beautiful, powerful – to share just a few . Thank you too to Margaret for her…

Sanctuary Specialists receive awards

Our City of Sanctuary meeting last Wednesday started with a presentation by our Chair, Joseph Chivayo, of awards to our six Sanctuary Specialists for their work in delivering training to a wide group of organisations in Derby, including schools, museum, a Doctor’s surgery, churches, an ice-cream parlour and several theatre groups. This was made possible through the Guardian funded project that we undertook. Here’s a few of those presentations.

Videos of the recent Celebration Event

What the Mayor of Derby has to say about refugees and asylum seekersIf you didn't make it to the recent Derby City of Sanctuary event- check out the video to see what the mayor had to say.Please share the video and sign the pledgehttps://derby.cityofsanctuary.org/pledges

Acclaimed pianist Margaret Fingerhut to perform at Derby Cathedral for refugees on March 15th – get your tickets now!

“Far from the Home I love” Charity Concert with Margaret Fingerhut

Derby keeps Holocaust Memorial day

On Monday 27th January, Derby held a series of events on Holocaust Memorial Day. The theme this year was “Torn from home”. Guests including the Bosnian Ambassador and representatives of the Armenian and Ukrainian Embassies were welcomed to a civic reception by the Mayor at the Council House. We are grateful to Derby City Council who have this year officially recognised acts of genocide in both countries. There was a service at the Bridge Chapel including a stone laying…

Maison Foo Refugee Friends scheme video

Click here to see their youtube video

Stranded British rescuers call for Foreign Office help

Local Firefighter Brendan is one of the crew of the rescue ship Sea-Watch 3 stranded in Sicily, along with a number of asylum seekers they had pulled from the sea. Italy is preventing them from getting off the ship or leaving port. Here’s a link to the story from the BBC in case you missed it:

Meet your neighbour and Pizza Shop Heroes at Derby Theatre

An invitation from Derby Theatre:- Dear neighbours and members of the community, Derby Theatre is having a pizza party and you are all invited! To celebrate and coincide with the incredibly popular production of Pizza Shop Heroes, on in the Studio on Saturday 2 February, we invite you to come and join us for a slice of pizza, music and fun on the same day…a chance to relax, share stories and meet new friends, a chance for people of different…

Far from the home I love – a major concert tour by Margaret Fingerhut 7pm on Friday 15th March in Derby Cathedral

This event in Derby Cathedral is promoted by Derby City of Sanctuary network and all proceeds  will go to support refugees and those seeking sanctuary in Derby. Acclaimed international pianist Margaret Fingerhut has devised a very special concert that she is performing across the UK to raise awareness of refugee needs as well as to collect funds for City of Sanctuary refugee groups.

Refugee theatre company performing at DERBY Theatre 2 February

PIZZA SHOP HEROES Phosphoros Refugee theatre company is performing at DERBY Theatre 2 February Four young men working your average shift in your average pizza shop take us on a journey across time and continents to show how extraordinary they are. From leaving their homelands of Eritrea , Albania and Afghanistan to seek asylum as children, they explore how they got here, where they’re going and what they’ve learnt along the way. It’s an autobiographical story of male and cultural identity, of migration…

Pledges can now be used again

Really sorry for the lack of a pledges page for the past few days. The issue is now sorted – and you now get a confirmation as well. I promise not to touch it again!

Meet Your Neighbour Party in Derby Theatre !