LICHFIELD CITY OF SANCTUARY
A welcoming and a safe place for all
Lichfield City of Sanctuary formed in September 2019. We reported to Churches Together in February 2020 with our ambitious plans. And then . . . And then. Despite two-thirds of our life having been conducted under lockdown, we have made some prodigious progress.
The organisation
We are now awaiting approval by the Charity Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The first meeting of our trustees takes place on the Friday after this meeting with an address by the founder of Cities of Sanctuary UK, the Rev Inderjit Bhogal.
Between our founding meeting and now, we have;
Developed close relationships with a number of key Lichfield organisations, including The Hub at St Mary’s, Lichfield Garrick Theatre, Curborough Community Centre, Support Staffs, Lichfield Refugee Aid, Lichfield Mosque;
Given practical support to two Syrian refugee families, including providing mattresses, negotiating a free place at a children’s drama workshop, helped Refugee Aid to provide hospital visits, aided Lichfield Recycle in the replacement of a stolen bicycle;
Responded to materials about Lichfield in local publications such as the Lichfield Chronicle, the Birmingham Mail, Lichfield Live and Visit Lichfield, challenging outmoded views of the city and district which undervalue the richness and diversity of the area and foster discrimination and prejudice;
Supported the Black Lives Matter protest in June 2020;
Challenged some inappropriate and unrepresentative tweeting about Lichfield by our MP.
Our plans for the coming year include:
A film project “The Spoken Word” illustrating the rich and diverse culture that is Lichfield, in partnership with a range of organisations including cultural and entertainment venues, churches, schools, community groups, the Johnson Birthplace Museum;
Plans for a Season of Sanctuary throughout the district, with events, speakers, exhibitions and celebrations;
Wildflower meadows throughout Lichfield, sponsored by City of Sanctuary
Attendance nearby at Amal’s Walk, the journey of a refugee from Turkey to Manchester via the Midlands
Internally, we are developing a membership and a partnership scheme. We hope that members of Churches Together will consider joining us in partnership to support people in Lichfield, especially newcomers, who face discrimination or exclusion due to displacement, immigration, racism, poverty, abuse, sexuality, disability and violence. You can:
Join our Steering Group, Planning Group and Action Group to help us shape the future
Declare your support for our vision and our principles
Attend and contribute to our events and campaigns
Provide practical support for marginalised and excluded people and groups
As individuals, we hope you will become a member of Lichfield City of Sanctuary and help us develop a vision of Lichfield, City and District, as a place where all are welcome and treated with respect and understanding, where sanctuary and support is provided for all who need it, especially vulnerable people.
Nigel Gann (Secretary)
Lichfield City of Sanctuary