Our Vision
Our vision is for Horsforth to become more and more of a town that is proud to welcome and include people seeking asylum and refugees into its community, so that wherever people seeking sanctuary go – schools, services, businesses, faith and community groups, their own neighbourhoods and streets – they will find people who welcome them and understand why they are here.
How we treat refugees reflects who we are. If any of us feared for our lives we’d want to know that others would help us to safety.
We have approximately 180 men seeking asylum living locally, families from Ukraine being hosted in Horsforth, and others seeking asylum across Leeds, all of whom can enrich our lives.
We are linked to Leeds City of Sanctuary and are part of the UK nationwide movement of City of Sanctuary
The UK City of Sanctuary Movement statement of Mission is:
‘We’re building a movement of welcome across the UK. From community groups to councils, schools to libraries, these vibrant networks provide support, dignity and welcome to refugees and people seeking sanctuary. With your support, we can make these networks even stronger.‘
We are glad and proud to play our part in this UK wide mission and network.
Our Current Activities
Activities with men seeking asylum, who are housed at a local facility.
Monday Conversat-ion Club
English Practice plus Support for Integration
Clothing Days
For men who arrive with nothing but what they are wearing
Football
Various free opportunities to enjoy playing ‘the beautiful game’
Friday Socials
Monthly space to enjoy food, games and dancing
Trips / Joining Local Events
Organising and accessing free trips out and enabling access to local events
Finding Your Voice
A course on telling our stories plus support to take opportunities to speak
There are lots of different ways you can be a part of this – from playing football occasionally, to donating clothes, to volunteering regularly with Clothing Days / English practice and more – CLICK THE BUTTON FOR MORE INFORMATION
Wider Links and Activities
Awareness Raising
Talks at Schools, Groups and Events
Supporting Sanctuary Awards
Encouraging local schools, our Town Council and others to work towards Sanctuary Awards
Two-way Community Involvement
Encouraging volunteering both ways, local links and involvement
Would you like to link your school, group, community activity or business? Arrange a talk, a shared activity or volunteering opportunities? Do get in touch with Laura Schubert on laura@horsforthchaplaincy.org or Rose McCarthy on rose@uk.cityofsanctuary.org
WAYS TO JOIN IN OR HELP
There are so many different ways to join in, whether only occasionally or on a regular basis – so there is bound to be one suitable for you.
JOIN US TO PLAY FOOTBALL
Have fun playing with others at Woodhouse Grove School pitches (Apperley Bridge) at one of our Sunday afternoon sessions (they are arranged every few weeks)
CONTACT PETE LAMBERT on petelambert57@gmail.com
DONATE UNWANTED MEN’S CLOTHES & bags
Why not have a clear out – the items most needed are:
- S/M size T shirts/tops/ jumpers
- S/M jogging bottoms/casual trousers
- coats
- trainers
- hats/gloves/scarves
- backpacks/bags/suitcases
- New pants & socks.
Please DROP OFF as follows:
- Mondays 10 – 2pm – Horsforth Community Cafe, St Margaret’s Parish Centre
- Tues to Fri 9.30 -11.30 am – Holy Name Church Office, Otley Old Rd
- Fridays 10.30 – 12 noon – Cragg Hill Drop -In, Cragg Hill Baptist Church, Cragg Ave
MEET PEOPLE AT FRIDAY SOCIAL
Every second Friday of the month at St Margaret’s Church 7pm
JUST COME ALONG ON THE NIGHT
BECOME A VOLUNTEER at Monday Conv’n Club
The club is every Monday 10.30 am – 12.30 pm: lead or help with simple activities for learning English, help give out SIM cards, bus tickets or information about classes and local services, chat and make people feel welcome. You will have an induction and support.
CONTACT LAURA SCHUBERT on laura@horsforthchaplaincy.org
HELP AT CLOTHING DAYS (or sorting clothes)
Sessions are arranged once every 4 – 6 weeks usually on a Saturday at Holy Name Church, Otley Old Rd, – volunteers needed for setting up, manning the door or at tables, & chatting with the men.
CONTACT PHILOMENA on philo.nurse@hotmail.com or LAURA SCHUBERT on laura@horsforthchaplaincy.org
ARRANGE AN AWARE-NESS SESSION
Ask us about coming to talk at your group /school / church / forum – the session will include Experts by Experience sharing their stories alongside the provision of contextual information on the real situation, and time for questions.
CONTACT ROSE MCCARTHY on rose@uk.cityofsanctuary.org or LAURA SCHUBERT on laura@horsforthchaplaincy.org
GIVE FREE ACCESS TO ACTIVITIES
Enable free access and invite those seeking asylum to join in with your group or activity.
CONTACT LAURA SCHUBERT on laura@horsforthchaplaincy.org
PROVIDE VOLUNTEER-ING SPACES
Give access to volunteering opportunities at your group or business – many of these men have amazing skills and experience but are banned from taking paid work – volunteering helps them to integrate, make friends and maintain good mental health
CONTACT ROSE MCCARTHY on rose@uk.cityofsanctuary.org or LAURA SCHUBERT on laura@horsforthchaplaincy.org
JOIN THE STEERING GROUP
Help with overseeing the work and moving it forward by joining the Horsforth Town of Sanctuary Steering Group – we meet every first Monday of the month 5.30 – 7pm at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Broadgate Lane (changes to second Monday when there is a bank holiday).
CONTACT ROSE MCCARTHY (CHAIR) on rose@uk.cityofsanctuary.org
If your school would like to explore becoming a School of Sanctuary please see THIS PAGE on the Leeds City of Sanctuary site. There is no dedicated lead worker for this at the moment, so please contact Rose McCarthy on rose@uk.cityofsanctuary.org